Where to Ski in Italy

Italy certainly has the world-class pistes and stylish resorts you’re looking for, but it also has that laid-

back, convivial charm that this country does so well. The atmosphere in Italian ski resorts is a bit friendlier

and more relaxed than in France or Switzerland. Impressive athletes they may be, but Italian skiers don’t

take themselves too seriously, and are chiefly concerned with having communal fun. There’s a lot of fine

eating, drinking and snowy sunbathing, and a lot of smiling faces. So if you are into skiing you might take a

look of the following:

Cervinia

Alps, Valle d’Aosta: 60 miles north of Turin Best

for: Beginners and intermediates

‘CERVINIA’ is the Italian name for the

MATTERHORN, and this high-altitude resort sits on

the opposite side of the iconic mountain from

better-known Zermatt in Switzerland. As a

purpose-built ski town, Cervinia is marred by dull

modern architecture, but it makes up for this with

some fabulous long runs and very reliable natural

snow-cover. In Cervinia you get to ski the same

area as people in Zermatt, and eat in restaurants

that are just as good, if not better, but all for

significantly less expense.

Madonna di Campiglio

Brenta Dolomites, Trentino: 55 miles north of

Verona Best for: Intermediates

This chic and lovely resort in the dramatic Brenta Dolomites has certainly racked up many ‘bests’ and

‘one-of-the-bests’. Some skiers deem it the best in Italy. Others specify it offers some of the best

intermediate skiing, has the best piste grooming, has one of the best lift systems, the best snowboarding

facilities… Clearly this is a resort worth anyone’s attention. The town itself is delightful, with dark wooden

chalets and a soaring slender church spire. The visitors it attracts are interesting to look at too – well-

heeled, fashion-conscious types who parade round town in gorgeous coats, sip pretty cocktails in

Madonna’s sophisticated bars, and later let their hair down in some of its excellent clubs.

Sestriere

Alps, Piedmont: 40 miles west of Turin Best for: Intermediates

Perched amidst beautiful alpine peaks on a plateau at an altitude of 2,035 meters, Sestriere is the main

resort in the delicious ‘Milky Way’ (‘Via Lattea’) skiing area – linking Sauze d’Oulx, Pragelato, Claviere,

Cesana Torinese, San Sicario and Montgenèvre. So you can explore far and wide, skiing to different

villages and making use of 146 skiable pistes with a total of 400km in trails. Sestriere is particularly well-

suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders. But there are some significant runs for advanced skiers,

and a quarter of all slopes are suitable for beginners or children.

Madesimo

Alps, Lombardy: 70 miles north of Milan Best for: Intermediates

This charming old village and its slopes 20 miles north of Lake Como are greatly loved by Italian families

but remain relatively unknown to British skiers. Friendly and inexpensive, Madesimo is well worth getting

to know. With 32 pistes covering 55km, its ski area might not be extensive, but there’s a great deal of

variety in the terrain. The runs suit intermediate-level skiers well, and there is also some challenging fare

for experts – including one of the greatest European runs, the ungroomed Catalone itinerary, which

whooshes down 1,000 vertical meters. Snowboarders are fans of Madesimo, and for them there’s a

terrain park and four half pipes. Cross-country skiers, meanwhile, lap up the 10km of trails here.

More travel and destination tips on this website: Vacation-now.com