Ski Holidays Italy
Ski holidays Italy

Ski Holidays in Italy

Home to some of the best views and cuisine in Europe, a ski holiday in Italy is synonymous with sophistication, relaxation and world-class accommodation. Home to three large linked ski areas, Italy offers snow-sure slopes to suit all abilities, 1200km of pistes and cosy, conveniently located accommodation. Livigno boasts the best après ski with more bars than any other resort, while Sestriere offers the highest slopes. For more information, read our Italy Ski Resort Guide.
  • Language
    Italian/German
  • Resorts we feature
    31
  • Visas required
    None
  • Local time GMT
    +1 hours
  • Flight time (approx)
    2 hours
  • Currency
    Euro

Why Italy?

Italy is a fantastic destination and has long been overlooked by the British ski marker. Those in the know have started to move back there in hoards finding that it is excellent value for money compared to its French neighbours for example.

There are many and varied ski resorts in Italy from the huge Dolomites and Milky Way ski areas to Cervinia which backs on to Switzerland, to the smaller more quaint areas such as the Monterosa ski area with its pretty villages and more laid back style.

Italy’s share of the British market has been slowly increasing in recent years with skiers looking to save money and its popularity is fast increasing.

Popular Italian Ski Resorts

By far and away the largest and most popular ski area in Italy is the Dolomites with the Dolomiti Superski pass which consist of Arabba, Selva Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Canazei and Campitello amongst many others. This famous linked circular area is so under rated that we have to shout about it a little more! The lift system here has been upgraded and it’s surprisingly easy to get around on the varied terrain. The stunning views of the central dolomites which tower above you wherever you are on the circuit is one to behold.

This area is best suited to intermediate skiers who are looking for quiet slopes and excellent value for money. Lift pass prices are reasonable and eating out on the mountains is a joy not only to the palate but also the purse!

At 2050m, the highest, most snow sure and popular resort is Cervinia which backs on to Zermatt and the Famous Matterhorn peak. There are km’s of wide easy runs for even the most timid of skiers and the slopes are pretty and sunny. The link to Zermatt can sometimes close in high winds but if you can get over there do!

  • Language
    Italian/German
  • Resorts we feature
    31
  • Visas required
    None
  • Local time GMT
    +1 hours
  • Flight time (approx)
    2 hours
  • Currency
    Euro

Ideal Resorts

Families

Italy is often overlooked as a destination for a family skiing holiday. A big mistake, especially if you ski over the half term week! Italian schools, unlike the French, don’t have a school holiday in February. Consequently, crowded slopes and lift queues and a shortage of ski instructors aren’t normally an issue.

Perhaps Italy’s biggest draw for families are the costs. Both hotels, lift passes and lunches are much lower than across the border in France. Italians tend to ski mainly over the weekends and normally then only after fresh snowfall, so during the week you can enjoy quieter slopes too.

The mountain meal is very part of the Italian skiing experience. Delicious pasta dishes and pizza’s won’t break the Italians as they don’t take skiing too seriously, they prefer to spend more time at the dining table than on the slopes.

The après ski scene in Italy will appeal to families too. It’s not got the hard-drinking culture of Austria or France. Instead a cocktail or glass of prosecco, normally immediately before dinner, which is normally accompanied with free, delicious antipasti nibbles always provided.

Several of the Italian ski resorts are ideal for a successful family trip, for example Cervinia, where Club Med is our clients first choice. Cervinia’s lovely wide-open slopes, mostly blue runs, are ideal for family groups.

The all-inclusive nature of a Club Med holiday appeals to parents in search of good value. Club Med also has a resort at Pragelato in the Milky Way another perfect choice.

Catered chalets are always popular with families and there are a few available in Italy. Some even have childcare and creches with special ski lessons based on age and ability. The Chalet Hotel Valverde at Gressoney is a good example of a great chalet hotel with a range of childcare options.

Catered ski chalets are limited in Italy so early booking is essential. A very good alternative to a ski chalet are one of our chalet hotels, we have a several in Italy, while not all offer childcare, they nevertheless offer a good affordable base for a successful family skiing holidays.

We feature many excellent family run hotels in Italy including in the Dolomites, the Milky Way and the Arosa ski areas. Our team of advisors have all skied as a family group and are on hand to assist you in making the right choices for your next family skiing holiday to Italy.

Self-catering Apartments in Italy

The choices of self catered apartments in Italian ski resorts is limited, but the ones we have are all very good and offer a convenient base for your next ski holiday to Italy. The biggest selection can be found in Livigno, but Ski Line also have apartments in Bardonecchia, Champoluc, Val di Fassa, Sestriere, Gressoney, Sauze d’Oulx and La Thuile on the French/Italian boarder.

Italian apartments are not normally built on the pistes and we don’t currently have any ski in ski out apartments available, but all are well equipped for a weeks ski holiday.

Catered Ski Chalet Holidays In Italy

Catered ski chalet holidays in Italy are a fairly new concept, and for now, the choices are a little limited compared to the choices in France. However, we have some great ski chalets to choose in some of the best ski resorts in the Italian Alps.

A ski chalet holidays in Italy is a great choice for a group of friends or larger family groups looking to share a mountain home together. Most of our ski chalets are also available for couples and single travellers too.

Our Italian ski chalets operate in the same way as in other European countries. Your chalet staff are there to make sure you get the most enjoyment possible from your time in Italy. Their job is to keep the ski chalet clean and tidy and cook. Included in the price of your ski chalet holiday are all meals except one evening meal when the chalet staff have a well-deserved night off. Meals include a cooked or continental breakfast, afternoon tea and freshly baked cakes will be available for you when you return from the slopes. In the evening staff prepare a 3 to 5-course evening meal with wine (please note some chalet hotels charge an additional fee for wine).

Ski Hotels In Italy

We have a choice of over 180 hand-picked ski hotels in Italy in the best Italian ski resorts, many are located right on the ski slopes for your convince, you can use the filters on the web site to search for ski in ski out hotels , hotels with a hot tub or where childcare is available in the hotel.

Italian ski resorts are quickly building a reputation for offering exceptional value for money and the hotels in Italian ski resorts are no exception to this. We offer ski hotels in some of the best ski resorts in Italy such as Sauze d’Oulx, Cortina, Cervinia, Selva and La Thuile and also some that we think you ought to get to know such as Champoluc in the Monterosa ski area which is fast building a reputation as an excellent family ski resort and Pragelato home to Club Med’s new Italian ski hotel.

Après Ski in Italian Ski Resorts

If après is your thing you need to head for Sauze D’Oulx which has a great atmosphere with plenty of venues to choose from whether it be après bars, win bars, full on night clubs or live music venue. The town is set around a cobbled village square and has lots of restaurants to choose from too.

Resorts in Italy