Italy is filled with some of the most breathtaking ski locations, with panoramic slopes, epic après ski, delicious northern cuisine and interesting variations of grappa that will keep you warm during the winter months. From heartwarming panoramas to the best hotels to retreat to after a day on the slopes, here are the best destinations to ski this winter.
cortina d’ampezzo, veneto
Deep in the heart of the Italian Alps lies this luxurious and renowned ski resort. This is your quintessential Italian winter experience, combining breathtaking views of the alps, Olympic ski runs and luxurious hotels, also home to the next winter olympics in 2026. The best way to reach Cortina is from Venice with a 2hr bus journey from the train station. Cortina is a legendary destination that offers an array of adventurous activities besides the wonderful ski slopes, such as rock climbing with over 1000 routes with equipped crags for all levels, mountain biking around the dolomites and hike trails that take you around the most spectacular landscapes. A ‘must’ is a visit to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, distinctive battlement-like peaks, a unique landscape worth visiting. The historical centre is a gem in itself, with pasticcerie for your après ski (pit-stop at Lovat for a hot chocolate and a slice of strudel is a must) , la cooperative for a shopping spree and ice skating for the little ones. There are three ski resorts: Tofane, Faloria – Cristallo and Lagazuoi – 5 Torri that make up 66 slopes for a total 120km spread between blues, reds and blacks. Furthermore, these resorts belong to the Dolomiti Superski, that unites 12 resorts, 450 ski lifts and 1220 km of slopes with a single ski pass.
Where to eat
Malga Rin Bianco an intimate, rustic alpine hut located near the Tre Cime di Lavaredo that serves authentic cuisine from the area. You can chose between a tasting menu or the a-la-carte menu filled with exceptional dishes cooked by Andreas Quinz. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
If you would like to stay in the centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo, we recommend Hotel de Len, a new project based on the principles of sustainability and wellbeing that intends to pay homage to the Ampezzo heritage, offering a contemporary experience that is nevertheless deeply rooted in the territory. WEBSITE
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Ski Pass from €54 a day. WEBSITE
cervinia, valle d’aosta
Cervinia is a spectacular location to ski in due to the breathtaking views of the Monte Cervino/Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. 350 km of slopes wind through these beautiful mountains and connect the Italian towns of Cervinia and Valtournenche with Zermatt in Switzerland n the Matterhorn Ski Paradise ski area. It’s made up of 50 slopes suitable for all levels and it’s also one of the largest ski areas in Europe. Furthermore, it’s easy to reach from the cities of Milan/Turin and Genoa.
Where to eat
Wood is a small, family-run restaurant owned (and run) by the couple Cristian Scalco and Amanda Eriksso. It pays homage to their heritage, bringing together ingredients, flavours and techniques from Italy and Sweden (with a slight asian fusion). WEBSITE
Where to sleep
One of our favourite places to stay in Cervinia the Grand Hotel Cervino, Located on the feet of the Matterhorn, or Monte Cervino. this property not only offers extraordinary views of the Matterhorn but is the ultimate location for those on a ski trip. There are 70 rooms and suites on this site, all decorated with a neutral, beige-tone colour palette. There is a gym and a Spa that houses a panoramic swimming pool, sauna, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, ice waterfall, Himalayan Pink Salt Room and a relaxation room, as well as an extensive treatment list. You won’t have to travel far for food, as there is an in-house restaurant, bar and hey, it’s also pet friendly. WEBSITE
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Ski Pass from €70 a day. WEBSITE
courmayeur, valle d’aosta
Fir trees, larch trees, mountains, glaciers and the Monte Bianco; no other landscape is comparable to that of the Pearl of the Alps: Courmayeur. In addition to the Chécrouit-Val Veny area, with over 100 km of the most renowned slopes, there is also its picturesque little town; wooden huts and flowered balconies, artisan shops and authentic traditional flavours make this location the perfect destination for those who love skiing in Italy.
Where to eat
Petit Royal is a Michelin starred restaurant led by chef Paolo Griffa at the Grand Hotel Royal & Golf. The cuisine is a contemporary, gourmet approach to local, Italian flavours. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
L’Auberge de la Maison with its cozy sofas placed in front of the fireplace, the scent of aged wood, the vintage prints on the walls, the family’s art collections: these are all elements that recall the authenticity of a winter home. WEBSITE
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Ski Pass from €51 a day. WEBSITE
Madonna di campiglio, trentino alto adige
Madonna di Campiglio is situated in one of the most fascinating alpine natural frames; nestled between the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello glaciers. In fact, besides spending the day skiing the many slopes (over 150km), you can also take the day to explore the Brenta National Park and its lakes, rivers & off-the-beaten-track paths. Open until the 16th April 2023, the slopes run across the three ski areas of Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo and Folgarida-Marilleva offering an array of mild-difficult descents : this area is also famed for its slope 3-Tre that held the first Italian race of the Alpine Skiing World Cup in 1967.
Where to eat
Due Pini is a very simple, traditional and rustic restaurant located inside the Hotel Chalet del Sogno. Here, typical local flavours are presented in a contemporary, gourmet style. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti situated in the heart of the Dolomites, this five-star luxury alpine resort is an idyllic haven for those seeking to dedicate some time to balance and reset their energies. WEBSITE
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Ski Pass from €56 a day. WEBSITE
canazei, trentino alto adige
Situated in the Val di Fassa, Canazei is another beautiful location that locals adore. It is situated in the “Dolomiti Superski” ski carousel and therefore with the Dolomiti Superski pass you have access to 1,200 km of slopes and 450 ski lifts in 12 ski areas! Among these there is also the Sellaronda, the most renowned ski circuit that offers 40km of panoramic backdrops, slopes, plains and ski lifts which can be accessed directly from Canazei. Furthermore, many alpine skiing competitions are organised in Canazei, including the famous Sellaronda Skimarathon that takes place in February.
Where to eat
Rifugio Fuciade, sister restaurant to the hotel Locanda degli Artisti is a converted barn that offers exceptional cuisine within a warm, familiar atmosphere. The cuisine is not limited to Ladin traditions, so alongside your Canederli and Polenta you’ll also find a lot of game-based dishes. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
Locanda degli Artisti is a hotel dedicated to contemporary art. In fact, each room has been dedicated to a specific artist who has personalised each room to fit their style. From ample mountain-view windows to in-room jacuzzis and saunas. WEBSITE
information
Ski Pass from €47 a day. WEBSITE
corvara, trentino alto adige
Corvara is the best known village in Val Badia. It lies in the Alta Badia ski area, in the heart of the UNESCO world heritage site of the Dolomites, connected to many ski areas including the Sellaronda, Colfosco, San Cassiano, Baida e La Villa. In the Alta Badia area there are around 130km of slopes for all levels (blues, reds and blacks) however with the Dolomites Superski pass you also have access to 1,200 km of slopes and 450 ski lifts in 12 ski areas!
Where to eat
La Stüa de Michil is the restaurant of the hotel La Perla. Here, cuisine is innovative, offering a modern take on tradition with the use of local and seasonal ingredients. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
Part of the Leading Hotels of the World, La Perla is a warm, welcoming hotel that has maintained rustic, Ladin-style, wooden decor throughout the entire space. Here, there are 6 type of rooms, each with a unique story and two offer panoramic views over the dolomites. WEBSITE
information
Ski Pass from €50 a day. WEBSITE
BORMIO, LOMBARDia
Bormio has it all: mountains to ski, hot thermal springs, alpine cuisine and the Stelvio National Park. This is your ultimate destination for a tranquil yet sporty vacation and it’s located around 3 and a half hours drive from Milan. It’s surrounded by the picturesque alps with a quaint historical centre to discover after your day out on the slopes. Not to mention the numerous thermal spa’s to embark on a wellbeing experience. Also, make sure try the Stelvio slope, known as of the most spectacular ski slopes in the world.
Where to eat
Al filò is a restaurant housed in a 17th century barn and stable with barrel vaults in the center of the village. the cuisine is based on forest and local products: the potato spheres filled with fondue and bresaola are good, with rye bread cream and the cylinders of suckling pig in porchetta. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
QC Terme Bagni vecchi dives into the history of Bormio, spanning more than two thousand years, from the Roman baths to the centuries-old caves leading to one of the thousand-year-old springs as well as a breathtaking panoramic outdoor pool. there are numerous wellness packages that range from daily to overnight stays in one of the alpine decor inspired rooms. WEBSITE
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Ski Pass from €21 a day. WEBSITE
VAL GARDENA, TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE
Situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Trentino Alto Adige Dolomites, Val Gardena is a heaven for skiing and walking in nature. From Ortisei you can reach the Alpi di Siusi and other ski spots very easily, making it the ideal destination for longer stay to explore the area. It features around 175km of slopes that include two new ski slopes this season: “La Ria”, a black slope and”Pilat” a spectacular downhill slope cutting through a forest. The easiest way to reach Val Gardena is via Bolzano airport, with direct flights incoming from Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, London Gatwick, Brussels, Rotterdam and Copenhagen. The Dolomites Val Gardena / Alpe di Siusi ski area is part of the Dolomiti Superski is a world-famous network of 12 ski areas in the Dolomites which you can access using just one ski pass and will remain open until 11 April 2023.
Where to eat
Suinsom just received a Michelin star for 2023, located inside the hotel tyrol and led by Chef Alessandro Martellini and his team. this fine dining restaurant brings together innovation and creativity through the taste of the mountain, combining fresh, local ingredients and creating a curated culinary journey. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
Hotel Tyrol is set in the peaceful Villnösstal Valley in south tyrol and is presented as a chalet styled hotel. it pays particular attention to the notion of slow travel with its natural wooden façade and a wonderful relaxation area with an outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the Geisler Mountains. WEBSITE
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Ski Pass from €59 a day. WEBSITE
SESTIERE, piemonte
Sestiere, in the province of Turin, is located between the Val Chisone and the Val di Susa and it’s the highest town in Italy at 2,035 meters of altitude. Its one of the best places to ski as it offers a wide variety of slopes due to the fact that it’s part of the international ski area of the ‘Via Lattea’, which includes 7 other mountain resorts all connected to each other by ski lifts: Sauze d’Oulx, Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Pragelato, Claviere and the French Montgenèvre. In total, they offer over 249 slopes (7 green, 80 blue, 120 red and 42 black), 70 ski lifts and 3 snowparks that span across an area of 400 km.
Where to eat
La Cioca a taverna-style restaurant a few minutes by car from the centre of Sestriere. This restaurant offers mountain specialties such as pierrade, raclette, fondue, bourguignonne and polenta. WEBSITE
Where to sleep
Club Med Resort Pragelato Sestriere is an all inclusive resort hotel located in the heart of Sestriere. It’s made up of several wooden chalets in a contemporary guise that offer breathtaking views of the mountains and it even houses a SPA for your post-ski relax. WEBSITE
information
Ski Pass from €40 a day. WEBSITE