The best ski resorts in Italy

Waking up to fresh Italian espresso, lapping the Sella Ronda, kicking back with an afternoon beer under the Dolomites’ pink cliffs, and finishing the night with a carb overload — pizza or pasta, your choice. That all sounds like a pretty perfect vacation to us. Seem like paradise to you, too? You’ll be glad to know it’s the order of the day – every day – when you ride in Italy.

But, with such a selection of ski resorts to choose from, where do you even begin? Well, it’s usually by googling ‘Best resorts where to go skiing in Italy’ and finding this guide. And then … you read it, get super stoked to visit, and start looking for flights. It’s just that simple! We’ve done the heavy lifting here, sampled the goods, researched every resort, and sorted the wheat from the chaff to round up the top 10 ski resorts in Italy.

So, if you’re ready for an epic Italian adventure, all you need to do is read on. And, seeing as Italy is the world’s fashion capital, you might want to consider upgrading your ski wardrobe before heading there. And what better way to do that than checking out the latest selection of ski bibs and ski jackets from MONTEC?

The top 10 ski destinations in Italy

Sestriere ski resort

First up on our list is the mighty Sestriere. This is the central hub in the Vialattea or Milky Way trail network and a bustling former host of the Olympics. Sestriere sits at 2,035 meters/6,676.5 feet and offers stoke-raising riding opportunities stretching to over 2,700 meters/8,858 feet. Known for hosting World Cup ski events, there’s a rich heritage of alpinism and racing here. But that’s just one of Sestriere’s many faces. The others include amazing touring and freeride opportunities, a brilliant ski network, and a bustling après-ski scene!

With 249 miles to ride in the network and 74.5 miles covered by snowmaking, there’s never a shortage of the white stuff. And thanks to the ski resort’s high situation, riding back to town is always possible throughout the season. You can head for Mount Motta (the highest peak) to get your laps in. Alternatively, Sises (in front of the village) provides steep terrain, good freeriding, and fresh lines, thanks to its upper slopes being accessed via a button lift (so it never gets overly crowded). The same goes for the top section of Mount Motta, which you can access via a button lift. From here, hang left for plenty of open powder faces before swinging back through the valley to hook into the number 32 Red trail.

Prefer riding on the slopes? Try the World Cup tracks or cruise down the Reds and Blues. For more variety, head to Sauze d’Oulx on the gondola for epic tree riding opportunities. Or why not drop into Sansicario for some steep chutes off the top? Once you’re done, hit up QB Sestriere back in town for a stylish après cocktail, I.GLOO for a well-earned beer on their rooftop terrace, or GFC (Gargote Fashion Cafè) to dance in your ski boots with DJs spinning from 4 pm every afternoon!

Madonna di Campiglio

It may sound like a famous sculpture, but Madonna di Campiglio isn’t made of marble … although it is a work of art! It sits under the magnificent Brenta Dolomites (Dolomiti di Brenta), the most picturesque backdrop in the world. And while high-altitude skiing and deep powder stashes are not what this ski resort is known for, you can find them when you search hard enough. However, what’s easy to uncover is amazing hotels and apartments, stellar restaurants and lavish shopping opportunities, and, naturally, an après scene to die for.

Let’s begin with the riding! You can head in any direction out of town via one of the many gondolas, and have world-class slopes at your fingertips. Most of the riding is beginner-intermediate focused. Still, you can unearth some decent advanced riding and powder lines off the high chairs, specifically at the Passo Grostè and Monte Pancugolo high points. However, these aren’t that ‘high’, so don’t bank on waist-deep pow stashes! What you have, though, is an extensive network of groomers, and plenty of chances to goggle at jaw-dropping scenery as you cruise around the ski area.

Back in town is where the magic happens. Known for its gourmet dining experiences, Madonna features two Michelin-starred restaurants, and a host of other high-class dining options. For some pre or post-dinner drinks, check out famous spots like Piano 54 and Des Alpes Mood Club, Après-Ski Mau, or Home Stube Alpine Mood for après on a terrace with a view of the mountains. Pretty unbeatable! And then, when you’re ready to turn in, why not treat yourself to luxury at the iconic Spinale Hotel or a slopeside chalet with a private deck to watch the Brenta Dolomites light up pink in the setting sun?

Passo Tonale ski resort

People flock to Madonna di Campiglio for everything not skiing. However, they flock to Tonale for the true shred experience. Forming a network with Temù and Ponte di Legno, Tonale is a mecca for freeriding and the premier destination for those who thirst for high-altitude powder descents. Claiming one of the highest consistent snowfalls in Italy, Passo Tonale may not be much to look at. However, it’s still a top choice for off-piste riding thanks to its 1,100 meter/3,607 foot vertical, endless pow fields, and uncrowded slopes. Pow laps all day long? Yes please.

Thanks to the Presena Glacier, you can ride at Tonale from October to May (in good years). After an awesome pow dump, it’s the only place to be. Take the gondola up to the 3,000 meter/9,843 feet high point and pick your line, with marked off-piste guiding you back to town through open powder fields and tricky chutes. On the other side of the valley, get as high as 2,525 meters/8,284 feet and experience one of the most open powder fields anywhere in the Alps. A dozen lifts run parallel up this face, and on the way down, literally anything is game. The whole place is a playground.

Passo Tonale is also the premier destination for ski touring in Italy, with lots of great marked routes to explore. And the reward? Untouched powder stashes as far as the eye can see. Once you’ve earned those turns and are heading down to the ski resort, check out Bar Ombrello for some afternoon après before hitting up El Bait or Gazana Bär for your late-night antics. There’s not an enormous luxury or après scene here, but there’s plenty to whet the appetite. Plus, thanks to Tonale’s enduring semi-under-the-radar status, it still feels authentic and enjoyable in every sense.

Alta Badia ski resort

Alta Badia is a well-known ski resort. However, most don’t know that it’s not just one resort, but an entire valley filled with snowy fun. Alta Badia’s ski resort stations stretch the length of the sprawling Dolomiti Superski area, and comprise the mountain villages of Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa, Badia, and San Cassiano. Want to be at the heart of the area? Choose Corvara or Colfosco. Want a more remote and quiet experience? Check out the small mountain hamlet of Passo Campolongo. Whichever you choose will treat you to uninterrupted views of the legendary Sella Group (Gruppo Del Sella) mountains, with direct access to the Sella Ronda route.

Like most of the Dolomites ski resorts, high-altitude riding isn’t what’s on offer. That’s because the highest lift in the region tops out at 2,550 meters/8,366 feet at the Vallon high point, and most of the others reach around the 2,100 meters/6,890 feet mark. The snow record is pretty reliable, but you’ll likely ride on the trails rather than off them. So Alta Badia is best suited to those looking to get their groomer laps in and explore this whole lift-connected region. This is especially true when doing the Sella Ronda circuit and seeing the mountain from all sides. There’s also lots of cross-country skiing with great terrain parks. Plus, you guessed it, a lively and exciting après and nightlife scene makes the trip worth more than just the riding.

Staying in Corvara will give you an amazing view and great value for money, with plenty of sleeping, dining, and partying options. For an upmarket treat, check out the Toccami Wine Bar. Then, once you’re ready to step it up, head to the Iceberg Bar or L’Murin Corvara. Looking for a more stripped-back and relaxed time? Colfosco is just a stone’s throw away, offering a more traditional Dolomites ski experience closer to nature and filled with family-run guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and traditional Italian chalets.

Bormio ski resort

Want to ride until your legs fall off and then soak them in a spa – and maybe even treat yourself to a massage or sauna session? ‘Bormio, the Wellness Mountain’ is probably the right choice for your Italian ski trip. Bormio isn’t home to just riding. It has nine natural thermal springs to its name, making it the largest thermal center in the Alps and a place with rich wellness traditions dating back as far as 500 AD. Oh, it also has epic food and drinks and the iconic Stelvio Pass at its fingertips.

If you head here, we definitely recommend staying in a spa hotel to get the most out of your trip. The quintessential choice is the Hotel Bagni Vecchi, home to the most historic spa in Bormio. Or, if you want something a little more luxurious, check out the Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi Bormio, their 5-star sister hotel just outside of town. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, try Bormio’s signature pizzoccheri pasta, made with buckwheat flour and local Alpine cheese. There are also local delicacies like bresaola to try. Bormio has a rich history of both food and wellness, and every corner should be explored.

Now, the riding! You’ll be glad to know Bormio has a great snow record and you can get up to 3,017 meters/9,898 feet atop the Cima Bianca. From here, you’re standing on top of a colossal bowl, which means you can either take the marked routes down or find your own path through some high-altitude Italian powder. Before the halfway point, you’ll hit the treeline, which offers intricate tree skiing when conditions are good. And if they aren’t, check out Bormio’s famous Jungle Snow Park, a long line of features that runs through the forest. You’ll find creative features for all levels of rider, including big kickers for those who like to fly.

Cervinia ski resort

We’ll forgive you for thinking the best way to ride Zermatt was going to Zermatt. It turns out Cervinia isn’t only more reasonably priced, but it also has an epic view of the Matterhorn – riding up to 3,480 meters/11,417 feet on its own side, unfettered access to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,899 meters/12,792 feet, and all the best parts of an Italian ski resort: i.e. amazing pizza to go with its epic freeriding.

Cervinia is twinned with Valtournenche, and sits at 2,050 meters/6,726 feet in the shadow of the Matterhorn. From the resort, you can take a gondola or cable car to Plan Maison at 2,555 meters/8,383 feet, then carry on to the Plateau Rosa/Testa Grigia peak at 3,480 meters/11,417 feet. With two enclosed lifts and a chair whisking riders upwards, wait times are cut down greatly, meaning fast and efficient access to the 1,430 meters/4,692 feet of vertical. From the top, you can descend into Switzerland towards Zermatt, or back down the Italian side, with some of the best freeriding in the Alps. This is especially true if you head right off the Plateau towards the Colle Superiore delle Cime Bianche, and pick your way down the fall line through the chutes.

However, if you want a truly epic experience, head down the Swiss side, bearing left, and make your way over to the Matterhorn. Here, you can get up to 2,769 meters/9,085 feet and ski right down into Zermatt itself! And once you’ve done that, you’ll definitely want to hit the aptly named Après Ski Bar for live DJ sets and drinks on the terrace. For more pumping dance music, follow the bass sounds, and you’ll no doubt stumble upon the Umbrella Bar. Thanks to the resort’s compact design, there are many other magnificent spots to be found, all conveniently within walking distance of the lifts and your accommodation.

Cortina d'Ampezzo ski resort

We return to the Dolomites at Cortina d’Ampezzo, a mountain paradise just two hours north of Venice. This sunny winter and summer destination boasts unreal scenery, along with awesome riding, gorgeous hotels, typically amazing Italian restaurants, a lively après scene, and plenty of shopping opportunities if you like to spend and ski on the same vacation.

From the central seat of Cortina d’Ampezzo, you can head in two directions via a gondola or a cable car, getting up as high as 3,244 meters/10,643 feet. This is higher than most Dolomites ski resorts, so snow is pretty abundant, and the freeride opportunities – especially from the Tofane high point – are numerous. A long and open face below means that off-piste, powder riding, and tree skiing are all really accessible. Into touring? There’s probably no better place with many huts dotted around these mountains. There’s also heli-skiing in the valley and plenty of cross-country skiing trails. Cortina may have a reputation for its town’s beauty. Still, it really is the complete package, with phenomenal riding for all abilities and styles.

But, speaking of the town … Cortina is a known wellness hub with its range of spa and wellness hotels. There really isn’t a better backdrop, either, for finding some zen. And once you’ve unwound, what about filling up? Being so close to Venice, the food here is second to none. With an annual food and wine festival, it’s got something of a reputation. The restaurants are there to back it up, with Michelin-starred El Brite de Larieto and SanBrite leading the charge alongside a host of other Michelin-endorsed restaurants right at their heels. These include the inspiring Cocun Cellar Restaurant and Porcino. However, if you’re looking to quench your thirst, check out the Faro Dolomites Cocktail Bar and Bar Dolomiti. Want to party after midnight? The Vip Club is perfect for a late-night second wind.

Courmayeur ski resort

Let’s head from Switzerland’s border to France’s with Courmayeur, Italy’s answer to Chamonix. A great ski resort in its own right, Courmayeur also forms a stop on two resort circuits: the Mont Blanc Unlimited and the Aosta Valley. On the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass, you can also ride Chamonix, Evasion Mont-Blanc, and Verbier. While on the Aosta Valley ticket, you can enjoy Zermatt, Champoluc, La Thuile, La Rosière, Pila, and 18 others, totaling over 516 miles of marked trails. But, enough about everywhere else; let’s talk Cour!

It makes its home on the south (and sunny!) side of Mont Blanc and offers a sizable network of trails accessed via a cable car sweeping up from the valley floor at 1,224 meters/4,016 feet. Here, you can get to 2,755 meters/9,039 feet, meaning that Cour has a mile-long vertical, one of the longest in the Alps. Cour is known for its sunny laps, epic views, and tremendous food and après culture; but what it lacks in knee-deep pow, it makes up for in charm. And in variety. While fresh tracks might be scarce in the ski resort, there’s lots to find outside the marked area. Being on the slopes of Mont Blanc itself, you can ski as high as you like, and plenty of guides provide touring trips on the mountain’s higher slopes. Head to Val Veny for its intricate freeride lines. If you’ve got the skills (and the cash), you can ferret out some epic freshies.

And there’s also heli-skiing for those looking to really get into the deep stuff. However, if you’d prefer your pow lift-accessed, head over to Argentière or Verbier in the next valley for some of the best lift-accessed freeriding in Europe. And once all that’s said and done, sink your teeth into what Cour is most famous for! Yes, you’ll find many bars perfect for low-key après, such as the authentic Italian ‘American Bar’ (we’re kidding about the authenticity) and Cafè Roma with funky bean bag chairs. If you like the late-night scene, there are a few choice clubs, including Club Haus 80s and La Privé. But the big one, of course, is Super G. This slopeside hotel and club has a huge outdoor terrace and live DJ sets every day to really get the stoke up – and help you shake off last night’s fuzziness.

Livigno ski resort

Livigno is a hidden gem on the Italian border with Switzerland. Many know it for its mix of isolation and insane riding. Tucked just east of the legendary St Moritz, Livigno’s a long drive from any airport (Innsbruck is the closest at three hours!). However, it is so worth it. Livigno has a rep for high-altitude pow skiing, its plethora of terrain parks, and a party atmosphere to rival the likes of Tignes or Les Deux Alpes. Yep, Livigno is definitely ‘Destination Number One’ for those who like to ride hard and après harder. And thanks to its unique layout, lift lines aren’t usually too crowded, and you can always secure fresh lines.

The ski resort is set along a valley and is fairly spread out. Lifts run up both sides, with slopes facing both north and south. The gradient is steady, so you won’t find much in the way of harrowing Blacks. But this means snow piles up and gets good and deep – perfect for long and cruisey pow laps through Livigno’s endless powder fields. For the best stash, get up to Monte Campaccio at 3,007 meters/9,865 feet and drop into the backside bowl, where you’ll find plenty of worthwhile ‘hike to’ spots. If you want to sample the epic heli-skiing, this is where you’ll head to the pickup. And for those who like to earn their airtime the old-fashioned way, you’ll discover four epic terrain parks with some of the most inventive features around. Mottolino Fun Mountain is for aspiring pros and has an Olympic training line. Snowpark The Beach is a super cruisey and jibby park for those with a more creative streak. And the Snowpark Amerikan is ideal for beginners looking to level up.

You can probably see now why Livigno will host the 2026 Winter Olympic Slopestyle and Halfpipe events for skiing and snowboarding! And what better way to celebrate that fact than with a cold beer? Head to Stalet Après-Ski, an enormous circus tent with a 1,000-person capacity, an oversized sun deck, and live DJ music every afternoon. Or for a more subdued wine and tapas après, hop next door to Alegra Après Ski. There’s also Milky’s Après Ski Bar (above Milky’s Disco Club!). Can’t wait to get off the mountain before starting your libations? Head to Tea Borch at the top of Carosello 3000 for drinks with a view. And don’t worry – if you get carried away, there’s a snowmobile service that takes riders down so you don’t have to navigate the slopes!

Champoluc ski resort

Champoluc is the largest ski resort in the Monterosa Ski Area. Many associate it with its quiet slopes, extensive off-piste terrain, and technical tree skiing. Champoluc forms the central hub in Italy’s own ‘Three Valleys’ area, and you’ll have plenty of options to ride, both lift-accessed and otherwise, with heli-skiing and touring available right in the resort. Champ isn’t known for its après scene, but there’s still some to be found. However, if you’re looking for that, other ski resorts do it better. Champ is more about the riding and the chilled Italian atmosphere – which sounds pretty good to us!

From Champoluc, you’ll have access to a fairly compact ski area with just a handful of trails. You can get up to 2,727 meters/8,947 feet really quickly, though, and have plenty of off-piste on northwest-facing slopes that catch the prevailing weather right on your doorstep. It’s one of the best things about the resort! Once you’ve had your fill, take the ski resort bus up to Franchey (or ski over) and head over to the Colle Bettaforca. You can ski back down to Franchey and find epic lines, or drop to Stafal (Tschaval). Then, cross the valley to the ‘Freeride Paradise’ atop the Indren high point at 3,275 meters/10,745 feet. You can also take a bus or taxi to Gressoney-La-Trinite (or stay here) if you want the quickest access. If you’re driving, stay on the road until you get to Stafal and go from there if this is where you want to spend your days. This epic landscape is full of stash and is one of the best unknown freeride diamonds.

To finish the circuit, take the 1,800 meter/5,905.5 foot descent from Passo dei Salati to Alagna Valsesia. Even if you do it once, it’s so worth it. Just make sure you leave enough time for the return trip, or know the bus-schedules! It’s a long way back to Champ from here. And once you return, you’ll no doubt need a cold drink to reflect on the day. Kondor Après-Ski Bar is right at the bottom of the lift and is a brilliant spot. Or you can check out Lo Sayoc for some alfresco libations. The town is replete with cool little wine and beer bars and authentic Italian restaurants, so you can really just take your pick. Champoluc isn’t home to any pumping terraces with live DJs, but it’s a serene and cozy spot to go with friends or family and forget about the world for a bit. And to us, that sounds like a pretty nice way to spend a week!

Honorable mentions

We couldn’t include all our favorite ski areas on this list, but we tried our hardest! If you’re not sold on any of the ones above – or you want to explore more of what Italy offers – check out some honorable mentions that nearly made the list. 

These include Val di Sole (Sol Valley), La Thuile, Latemar, Skiarena Klausberg, and Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm). These are well worth checking out and have so much going for them. So get Googling and get ready for pizza, après, and a truly unforgettable trip!

Wrapping up

Well, there you have it. There’s lots to choose from and hopefully something for everyone. While each rider will have their preference, we know there will be at least one ski resort (or 10) that sounds like your idea of perfection. Now, check out hotels, set price alerts for your flights, and get ready to go. Oh, and we recommend eating lots of pizzas before heading there. Just so you’re acclimatized, you know?

Think we missed a ski resort off this list or need more information or advice? Let us know by emailing crew@montecwear.com and we’ll be happy to help! Ciao!

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