Best places for skiing in Italy according to Idressitalian
Best places for skiing in Italy – December is upon us and our team can already hear all you lovers of Winter sports wondering: has it snowed yet? Where? While we wait for this glistering, soft flakes to fall and color the world white, we could busy ourselves getting ready for our favourite sports and gather information concerning where the best places for skiing in Italy are. Indeed we spared you long hours of research and present you with a list of the best places in each Italian region: we picked the best ski slopes and ski lifts, the most dramatic sceneries. In Italy, every region has at least one ski slope, except Apulia – but she’s so beautiful in many other ways we forgive her.
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1. VENETO – Cortina d’Ampezzo
Veneto is the queen region for skiing and snowboarding, after all it’s blessed with the marvelous Dolomites, where Cortina d’Ampezzo is. This mountain town has been considered the Italian capital of Winter sports ever since the 30’s and it’s served as host town for the 1956 Winter Olympics. Together with 18 other towns, Cortina forms the Ladinia area, a spot on the Alps so beautiful, it was awarded the Best of the Alps prize – and the Alps themselves already belong to the UNESCO World Heritage. There are more than 140km of ski slopes here, basically this mountainous zone is the best of the best.
Elevation: 2990 MASL top, 1224 MASL valley
Skipass: from 28 to 50 per day
2. VALLE D’AOSTE – Courmayeur
Courmayeur has two slopes: Chècrouit facing North-East and Val Veny facing North-West, which means that both places are blessed one with spectacular sunrises and the other with dramatic sunsets, earning the town the nickname “The sunny side of Mont Blanc”, the highest top of the West Alps (4810 MASL). Courmayeur is the oldest Winter sports town in Italy and it counts more than 100 ski slopes and 18 ski lifts. It’s rightfully considered the eight wonder of the world!
Elevation: 2755 MASL top, 1704 MASL valley
Skipass: from 11 to 55 per day
3. TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE – Madonna di Campiglio
This elegant town near Trento doesn’t need much of an introduction, it is internationally know thanks to its wonderful position amidst the Dolomites and the glaciers of Adamello and Presanella, at 1550 MASL. It is here that in 1967 the very first Italian race of the Ski World Cup took place – which in time became the race known as 3Tre Madonna di Campiglio.
Elevation: 2580 MASL top, 1550 valley
Skipass: 23-47 per day
4. PIEDMONT – Sestriere
The city of Sestriere is the highest of Italy, with an elevation of more than 2000 MASL. Together with the cities of Salice d’Ulzio, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere and Montgenevre, the town forms the Vialattea district (Milky Way district, isn’t it suggestive?) with more than 70 ski slopes which means more than 400km of Winter sports fun! The story of Sestriere is quite fun: back in the 1930s the area wasn’t as fashionable as today, on the contrary it wasn’t popular and the Agnelli family bought several plots paying them only 40 cents each – they intended for it to become a sort of vacation spot for their FIAT employees. Fate had something different in store for Sestriere: not only it has become one of the most famous and fashionable places of Italy, but it is the only one where it’s possible to skii at night. Who could ask for more?
Elevation: 2840 MASL top, 1357 valley
Skipass: 6-37 per day
5. LOMBARDY – Livigno
Livigno is in the Sondrio province, not far from the Swiss National Park and the Stelvio National Park. It is pretty popular, probably thanks to its two main slopes, Mottolino and Carosello, where the sun always shines and the snow is divine. If you love skiing fast – like, really fast – we suggest you give a try to the Giorgio Rocca Slope.
Elevation: 2900 MASL top, 1816 MASL valley
Skipass: 32-44 per day
6. FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA – Sella Nevea
Located between Mount Kanin and Mountain Montaz, yet not far from Udine, you’ll find this charming snowy place with such a suggestive name. Its main slopes Kanin and Bila Pec are a must for those who love Winter sports, here they can either practice their downhill skiing skills as well as any other skiing discipline. Furthermore, you’re gonna love the fantastically soft snow.
Elevation: 2133 MASL top, 1103 MASL valley
Skipass: not more than 25 per day
7. TUSCANY – Abetone
Abetone is a section of the Apennines astride Tuscany and Emilia Romagna and its’ the main montanious site of Tuscany from whence you can admire the wonderful sight of the various tops of the Apenines: Alpe Tre Potenze Mountain, Selletta, Monte Gomito and the Libro Aperto mountains. But there’s more to Abetone than breathtaking panoramas: indeed you’ll find more than 50km of slopes, 18 of which perfect if your speciality is cross-country skiing. The Italian champion Zeno Colò was born in Abetone, no doubt he became a legend!
Elevation: 1900 MALS top, 1400 MASL valley
Skipass: 2-38 per day
8. CALABRIA – Camigliatello Silano
Camigliatello Silano is the mountainous district of Spezzano della Sila, a town not far from Cosenza. There are two slopes, a red piste (2050 MASL) and a blue one (2220 MASL), both converging in a valley where a ski school is, and both sometimes subject to artificial snowmaking. Monte Curcio is best suited for downhill skiing, its slope running 24km amidst the most beautiful spots of the Sila Mountain: Monte Scuro (1630 MASL) and Botte Donato (1928 MASL) and the lakes Cecita and Arvo. Otherwise, you’ll find a sort of ring for downhill skiing at Macchia Sacra too. Monte Curcio’s aerial tramway is the most modern of South Italy, but we recommend you go for a ride on the little train that runs on a track crossng the Sila Mountain, it will be like boarding on the legendary Trans-Siberian railway – with Italian food at the end of the journey!
Elevation: 1300 MASL top, 1200 MASL valley
Skipass: 20-30 per day
Una piccola chicca: salite a bordo del trenino che attraversa le montagne della Sila; è un’esperienza a dir poco indimenticabile!
9. ABRUZZO – Roccaraso
Roccaraso, located on the Cinque Miglia Mountain in Abruzzo (sometimes referred to as Abruzzi), is the main skiing place of South Italy. Rivisondoli Ski Station belongs to the Alto Sangro district, which counts as much as 150km of slopes and 60km of pistes. The Apennines at their best.
Elevation: 2140 MASL top, 1240 MASL valley
Skipass: 23-36 per day
10. LIGURIA – Monesi di Triora (IM)
There is definitely more than Portofino in this beautiful region! Monesi di Triora is the only ski station of Liguria and yet it’s one tiny, perfect paradise: the newest aerial lift, well-kept slopes and fair prices: this is the ultimate place for a family vacation.
Elevaton: 2200 MASL top, 1400 MASL valley
Skipass: 10-20 per day
11. MARCHE – Ussita
Monte Bove, where our Ussita Ski station is, is a mountain in the Monti Sibillini range of the Apennines. Here you’ll find fashionable hotels and 20km of slopes.
Elevation: 1900 MASL top, 1325 MASL valley
Skipass: not more than 23 per day
12. EMILIA ROMAGNA – Cimone
Remember Tuscany’s Abetone? If you’re there, keep in mind that Cimone (2165 MASL, the highest mountain of the North Apennines ) is right behind the corner! More specifically, this popular ski station is in Modena’s province – you’ll love its slopes and fresh snow.
Elevation: 1976 MASL top, 1020 MASL valley
Skipass: 25-33 per day
13. LAZIO – Terminillo
Terminillo is one exciting place in Lazio: 4 aerial lifts, 9 skilifts and slopes running for more than 40km – three of these slopes are often used as races during international contests. Whether you’re a novice of or an expert, you’ll definitely enjoy Terminillo!
Elevation: 2108 MASL top, 1628 MASL valley
Skipass: 23-28 per day
14. SICILY – Etna, Nicolosi
Imagine skiing on a volcano while beholding the amazing sight of the Strait of Messina. No, we’re not kidding you, we couldn’t be more serious about it: Nicolosi is a ski station on Mount Etna; although it has only 5 slopes, there is no skipass to pay and well… you’re sliding down Etna’s snowy side, the bluest sky being one with the clearest blue Mediterranean Sea!
Elevation: 2315 MASL top, 1810 MASL valley
15. SARDINIA – Bruncu Spina
The district of Brunco Spina is in the Nuoro province and it’s the main ski station of Sardinia. Broncu Spina and Monte Spada, where the ski station with slopes and aerial lifts are, belong to the Gennargentu Mountains. We recommend this place in particular to those of you who love danger and enjoy the extra kick given by the thrill of sliding down two black pistes or a red one – thankfully there’s also a blue piste for those who otherwise prefer staying safe. A mountain hut awaits for you in the valley at the end of the slopes. There is also a minor ski station on the other side of Broncu Spina, an area called S’Arena. Were you surprised to learn about the chance of skiing in Sardinia?
Elevation 1825 MASL top, 1570 MASL valley
Skipass: 15 per day
16. MOLISE – Campitello Matese
The mountains of Molise are the least modified by human intervention of the entire country. On the top of the ancient Matese range, you’ll find 40 km of slopes with mostly red pistes, running amidst beautiful wild nature, but fear not, you’ll also find 8 aerial lifts – they’ve got you covered.
Elevation: 1872 MASL top, 1417 MASL valley
Skipass: 28 per day
17. CAMPANIA – Laceno
Campania, like Sardinia, it’s usually considered a Summer-related region thanks to its crystal clear sea and well, Naples! Well, now you know that you may need something a bit warmer to wear than a swinsuit. Laceno Ski station has 11 slopes running for almost 16km (and of course as many skilifts), all immersed in the wildest perfection of nature. We loved the place, but we’ll admit there’s room for improvement.
Elevation: 1700 MASL top, 1100 MASL valley
Skipass: 22 per day
18. BASILICATA – La Sellata
The ski station known as La Sellata-Pierfaone isn’t far from Potenza, Basilicata’s main city. The place is absolutely spectacular and very modern. On the Veturino slope you’ll find a black piste, a red one and a third, blue – all properly served by lifts. The other side, Monte Viggiano, is where easier and safer slopes are, these served by aerial lifts too – to encourage people to ski safe, this piste is also enjoyable at night thanks to a wonderful lighiting system.
Elevation: 1848 MASL top, 1400 MASL valley
Skipass: 18 per day
19. UMBRIA – FORCA CANAPINE
The town of Forca Canapine is at the passage between the mountains of Umbria and Marche. There are 16km of slopes with pistes both safe and red, running between Colle Cascina (1610 MASL) and Colle Saliere (1560 MASL). The part of the ski station located in the Arquata province offers you the chance to practice alpine or nordic skiing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding. We regret to inform you that the Umbrian side of the station is currently closed because of financial problems, we can only hope for the local goverment to fix the situation and re-open it to the public as soon as possible.
Now go and book your Italian ski holiday!
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