SKIING IN Italy

Scout believes that if there’s skiing in heaven then it would be modeled on the resorts in Italy. What better way to enjoy your favorite sport than to combine it with excellent food, great wine, good coffee and relaxed company. Sometimes, on a sunny day, as you swoosh down the uncrowded and perfectly groomed slopes set amongst stunning scenery, you will think you are in some sort of dream. Although perhaps that’s the effect of the fine wine and homemade pasta you just devoured over a long lunch at a refugio high up on one of the mountains.

Whether you’re in the Aosta Valley in the west or the Dolomites in the east, skiing in Italy is not to be missed.

Italian skiing is perfect for families, where the ski schools are generally excellent (not to mention the pizza) and the prices of food and accommodation are some of the most reasonable in Europe. It’s equally as great for a special romantic ski trip thanks to the exceptional quality of hotels and restaurants that can be found in most resorts.

The ski areas themselves are vast – the dozens of ski resorts that make up the picturesque Dolomites are sold under a single lift pass that allows it to rightfully claim being “the world’s biggest ski domain”. Rather than skiing the same run several times a day, skiing here is more like going on a tour with lifts and pistes connecting up to make a full day’s excursion – undoubtedly via some slopeside refugio serving up incredible meals.

The one thing often lacking in Italy is reliability in the quality of the snow. The country relies on snow coming from southerly weather systems, which can mean that sometimes it dumps, but often it doesn’t. But fear not since most resorts have invested heavily on state-of-the-art snowmaking machines. Skiers that relish backcountry or off-piste skiing may get frustrated here – since it’s unclear at many resorts whether it’s permitted (regardless of whether that’s inbounds or out). Often times a guide will be required to go off-piste.

For more general information about skiing in Europe see our Introduction to Europe page.