Italy has always been a popular choice for UK skiers, and according to the Mountain Trade Network, it sits 3rd behind France and Austria as the country to visit. With the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place across Milan, Cortina and northern Italy, the spotlight is firmly on the Italian Alps, inspiring skiers to look beyond the usual choices and explore resorts they may never have considered before.
Italy offers a unique blend of dramatic landscapes, exceptional food, welcoming resorts and outstanding value, often paired with shorter queues and a more relaxed pace on the slopes. Add to that a fascinating cultural mix, Italian flair combined with Austrian, Swiss and French alpine traditions as cross border connections are commonplace, with several ski resorts allowing you to ski from country to another during your day.
Below, you’ll find our choice of 10 of the best ski resorts in Italy, each with practical details to help you plan, from altitude and lift passes to airport transfer times, and a sense of what makes each one special.
Skiing in Italy: what makes it different?
Many Italian resorts sit within vast linked ski networks, allowing you to explore huge areas without changing accommodation.
- Dolomiti Superski is one of the largest ski regions in the world, offering access to over 1,200km of pistes across multiple valleys, including Cortina, Alta Badia and Madonna di Campiglio.
- Via Lattea (Milky Way) links resorts such as Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx and Clavier into a cross-border ski area stretching between Italy and France.
- Aosta Valley / Monterosa – a dramatic corner of the Alps offering jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn, home to iconic resorts like Courmayeur and Cervinia, alongside the expansive Monterosa area connecting Alagna, Champoluc and Gressoney.
Airports for Italian ski resorts
Italy is particularly well suited to UK travellers thanks to frequent flights and a wide choice of airports:
Common entry airports for ski resorts in Italy
- Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- Milan Linate (LIN)
- Bergamo (BGY)
- Venice (VCE)
- Treviso (TSF)
- Verona (VRN)
- Turin (TRN)
- Innsbruck (INN)
- Geneva (GVA)
- Zurich (ZRH)
Many resorts can be reached in 2–3 hours from the airport, making Italy ideal for both week-long holidays and shorter breaks.
The 10 Best Ski Resorts in Italy
1. Cortina d’Ampezzo
Set in the heart of the Dolomites, Cortina is one of Italy’s most iconic resorts and a central host of the 2026 Winter Olympics, having previously hosted in the 1950s. It combines world-class scenery with a lively town and access to multiple ski areas.
Altitude
Base: 1217m | Top: 2828m
Ski area
24 lifts & approximately 130km of pistes (with wider Dolomiti Superski access)
Lift pass price (approx.)
€75–85 per adult/day (Dolomiti Superski area)
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
Approximately:
- 2 hrs from Venice Airport
- 5 hrs from Innsbruck Airport
- 5 hrs from Milan Airports
2. Alta Badia
Alta Badia is all about beautifully groomed cruising runs, panoramic views and arguably the best mountain food anywhere in the Alps. A favourite for relaxed, high-quality ski days.
Altitude
Base: 1217m | Top: 2828m
Ski area
53 ski lifts & approximately 130km of pistes (with wider Dolomiti Superski access)
Lift pass price (approx.)
75€–85€ per adult/day (Dolomiti Superski area)
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
Approximately:
- 2 hrs from Venice Airport
- 5 hrs from Innsbruck Airport
- 5 hrs from Milan Airports
3. Cervinia
High, open and snow-sure, Cervinia offers long cruising runs and a huge ski area shared with Zermatt. It’s one of Italy’s best options for reliable conditions.
Altitude
Base: 1525m | Top: 3480m
Ski area
47 lifts and approximately 350km (linked with Zermatt)
Lift pass price (approx.)
65€–90€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
1h40 from Turin Airport
2h20 from Geneva Airport
4. Bormio
Bormio is famous for its steep, challenging pistes and beautifully preserved historic old town. It is home to the legendary Stelvio run, a Downhill World Cup course and official downhill venue for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The resort also boasts one of the longest summit-to-base descents in Europe – an epic 8.5km run with a dramatic 1,817m decline in elevation.
Altitude
Base: 1225m | Top: 3012m
Ski area
12 lifts and approximately 50km of slopes (or 110km across the 3 areas)
Lift pass price (approx.)
40€–80€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
Approximately 3hrs from Milan (all airports)
3h30 from Innsbruck Airport
5. La Thuile
A quieter Aosta Valley resort with impressive terrain and an international ski area linking into France. La Thuile feels relaxed and authentic.
Altitude
Base: 1175m | Top: 2610m
Ski area
38 lifts and approximately 152km of slopes (including La Rosière)
Lift pass price (approx.)
50€–60€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
2hrs from Turin Airport
2hrs from Geneva Airport
6. Livigno
Lively, energetic and surrounded by high alpine terrain, Livigno is known for its long season, vibrant après-ski and duty-free shopping.
Altitude
Base: 1816m | Top: 3300m
Ski area
32 lifts and approximately 115km of slopes
Lift pass price (approx.)
50€–60€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
3hrs from Innsbruck Airport
3h30 from Bergamo Airport
7. Courmayeur
Elegant and charming, Courmayeur sits beneath Mont Blanc and combines excellent skiing with a beautiful Italian town atmosphere.
Altitude
Base: 1225m | Top: 2755m
Ski area
18 lifts and approximately 100km of slopes
Lift pass price (approx.)
60€–70€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
1h20 from Geneva Airport
1h40 from Turin Airport
8. Sestriere
Part of the vast Via Lattea, Sestriere offers big skiing, reliable snow and easy access from Turin, making it popular with UK skiers.
Altitude
Base: 1350m | Top: 1900m
Ski area
10 lifts and approximately 390km of slopes (across the Milky Way ski area)
Lift pass price (approx.)
50€–60€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
1h30 from Turin Airport
3hrs from Geneva Airport
9. Champoluc
Traditional and picturesque, Champoluc is part of the Monterosa ski area, known for long runs and a peaceful village feel.
Altitude
Base: 1200m | Top: 2970m
Ski area
10 lifts and approximately 100km of slopes (across Monterosa ski area)
Lift pass price (approx.)
40€–70€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
1h30 from Turin Airport
2hrs from Milan
3hrs from Geneva Airport
10. Madonna di Campiglio
Stylish and well-organised, Madonna di Campiglio combines extensive skiing with a lively town and access to the wider Trentino ski area.
Altitude
Base: 1200m | Top: 2970m
Ski area
59 lifts and approximately 156km of slopes
Lift pass price (approx.)
75€–85€ per adult/day
Off-peak season rates can apply as well as child, youth and senior rate differences.
Transfer time
2h30 from Turin Airport
3hrs from Innsbruck Airport
When is the best time to ski in Italy?
- December–January: Festive atmosphere, quieter slopes outside school holidays
- February: Peak snow conditions but busier
- March–April: Spring skiing, longer days and fantastic mountain lunches
Thanks to altitude and modern snowmaking, many Italian resorts now offer excellent conditions well into spring.
Winter Olympic sports you can try on your Italian ski trip
As we’ve mentioned, one of the most exciting things about skiing in Italy right now is the buzz building up towards the 2026 Winter Olympics. Many Italian resorts already have the facilities used for elite competition, and you don’t have to be an Olympian to try them.
Whether you’re curious to step outside your comfort zone or simply want to add variety to your ski week, here are some Winter Olympic sports you can realistically experience on a holiday in Italy.
Read more about the sports in the Winter Olympic Games 2026 but if you’re looking to try some yourself these are the most accessible to give a go.
Downhill skiing
This is the foundation of Olympic skiing – one by one competitors navigate the slope through gates, with as fewer turns as possible, chasing the fastest time.
Many resorts signpost famous downhill and giant slalom runs, so you can ski the same terrain used by the world’s best, just at your own pace and considering other skiers on the slope.
Freestyle & Snowpark’s
Freestyle skiing and snowboarding are among the most exciting Olympic disciplines and they’re also some of the most accessible for everyday skiers and riders.
Italian resorts are known for well-maintained Snowpark’s with features for all levels, from beginner boxes to larger jumps. You don’t need to be launching big airs; many parks are designed to help you progress safely.
Ski cross & snowboard cross
Ski cross and snowboard cross are fast, thrilling Olympic events where multiple racers tackle a course with rollers, berms and jumps.
While designated race-courses are competition-only, many Italian resorts build cross-style fun tracks that are open to the public. These are fantastic for confident intermediates who enjoy speed and flow but don’t want to spend all day lapping chairlifts.
Cross-country skiing (Nordic skiing)
Cross-country skiing is a major part of the Winter Olympics and Italy is one of the best places in the Alps to try it.
Many Italian resorts have extensive, beautifully prepared cross-country trail networks, often winding through forests, valleys and frozen rivers. It’s a brilliant low-impact workout and a peaceful alternative to downhill skiing.
Why trying something new makes your ski trip unforgettable
The Olympics remind us that winter sport isn’t just about perfecting turns — it can be about exposure to new sports. Trying a new discipline, even for an hour, can completely change how your ski holiday feels.
Italy is especially welcoming in this respect: friendly instruction, great facilities, and a culture that encourages you to enjoy the experience, not just chase performance.
As the countdown to Milan–Cortina 2026 continues, there’s never been a better time to ski Italy offering a refreshing alternative to other Alpine choices.
If you’re ready to explore beyond your comfort zone, Italy might just become your new favourite place to ski.
Protect yourself on holiday with Ski Insurance from SportsCover Direct
Since 2022 it has been a legal requirement to have liability coverage when skiing in Italy. This is not currently the case in other European resorts so it’s important to have the ski insurance you need, to give yourself the best protection and enjoy your time on the slopes with the assurance of financial protection in unforeseen circumstances.
SportsCover Direct’s skiing insurance provides essential coverage for various expenses, including travel insurance for medical costs, trip cancellations and missed departure. You’ll also find personal liability cover, sports equipment cover, search and rescue and more.
You can select the activities you’ll be doing on your Italy ski trip, such as off-piste skiing to ensure you’re fully covered for every eventuality. However, if you want to try something new, which you’ve not added, there’s also a bolt-on option if you have an existing travel insurance policy you can simply add an extension to existing cover.
Find out more and get a quote online.
Sources:
https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/ / https://aosta-valley.co.uk/ / https://www.bormioski.eu/en/ / https://www.lathuile.it/en / https://www.ski-lifts.com/
https://monterosaski.eu/en / https://www.vialattea.it/
This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation.
