Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Italy is normally overshadowed as a ski destination by the better known ski resorts in France, Switzerland and Austria, but the Italians have a superb selection of their own resorts and are perhaps happy to keep their skiing secrets to themselves.

There are well over 100 resorts scattered throughout the northern part of the country in the Italian Alps, and the jagged Dolomites. The country Italy hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1956 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, and then again in Torino in 2006.

 
Val Gardena - Ski resort in Italy.

Some of the best know Italian ski resorts include Sestriére, Cervinia, Livigno, Madonna di Campiglio and Canazei which are located in the Alps. While these are among the better known Italian ski resorts there are many others that are little known and are away from the main ski towns making them ideal if you want to combine an Italian ski holiday with a relaxing winter getaway.

Many of Italy's best skiing locations spread from the French border in the west, to the stunning Dolomites in the east, with French, Italian and German spoken in different areas. Resorts featuring beautiful scenery, well prepared ski trails and eight out of ten sunny days at an average are just some of the reasons to taste Italian snow.

Quite possibly the very best on the list of Italian ski resorts is Madonna Di Campiglio. It has flourished as a largely unsung Italian ski resort and over many years has gotten by quite nicely without international acclaim.

Madonna Di Campiglio Ski Resort

With a great mixture of old and new, Italian ski resorts seem to delight visitors with their traditional customs and stylish facilities. In addition most Italian ski resorts have plenty of lovely bars and discos, particularly on weekends. Ski resort visitors will also find good food and fine drinks readily available at many excellent restaurants, pizza bars, and pubs.

In general, Italian ski resorts are situated at altitudes of not more than 2300 meters in the Dolomiti Superski area or, 2800 meters around the French border. Because the Alps cross the borders of Italy, France and Switzerland, it is possible to go skiing in these countries from Italian ski resorts.

Dolomites

Prices vary substantially at Italian ski resorts according to the season and the accommodations are mainly hotels. Regular visitors value the more relaxed atmosphere found in Italian ski resorts, where the skiing often takes second place to socializing off the slopes with long lunches being the norm.

MONDOLESKI a ski resort in Italy.

Overall Italian ski resort visitors find Italy skiing is filled with special experiences, providing every visitor with unforgettable memories.

By Leonardo Dainese