Italy is not the first country that usually springs to mind when choosing a destination for a skiing holiday. It is world-famous for its culture, architecture and lovely climate. Cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice have been popular with visitors for centuries. However, Italy is rarely given credit for developing the model for the modern ski resort now used throughout the world. Despite this, Italy has remained in the shadow of other Alpine areas, yet the country is rapidly developing a great reputation as one of the best countries in Europe, and in fact the world, for skiing. It is certainly one of the most fashionable destinations, with the rich and famous visiting some of the most exclusive resorts, such as Cortina d’Ampezzo. Some of the most popular Italian resorts include Livigno, Sauze d’Oulx, Cortina, Val Gardena, Bormio, Sestriere, Arabba, Canazie di Fassa, and Bardonecchia.
The north of Italy is simply spectacular with its traditional castles, wooden chalets and dense forests. Visitors to this region can choose to ski down famous mountains such as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. To the northeast can be found the stunning Dolomites, a mountain range which encompasses Madonna di Campiglio and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The scenery in many of the Italian ski resorts is simply breathtaking. The Dolomites contain some of the most beautiful in the world and offer fantastic and varied skiing. The ski area located close to the county’s border with Austria and offers a variety of great winter sports. Many of the resorts offer the opportunity to access slopes belonging to other nearby resorts and several of the resorts in the massive Milky Way skiing area are linked by fast and reliable ski lifts. The ski schools in Italy have a very good reputation and young children in particular will be kept entertained by the friendly Italian ski instructors, the overwhelming majority of whom speak great English. Other regions popular with skiers of all abilities include the Gran Sasso, which is located to the east of Rome.
Italian ski resorts are relatively quiet. While you can spend several hours per day waiting in lift lines in many French ski resorts, you are likely to spend much more time on the actual slopes if you choose Italy. Similarly, Italian ski resorts are great for beginners and intermediate skiers looking to gain in confidence. With uncrowded slopes, skiers can hone their skills without the fear of colliding with other.
There are accommodations in Italy’s ski resorts to suit all tastes and budgets. Many visitors, especially those who value their independence, choose to stay in lovely, traditional wooden chalets, but there are also exceptional hotels that offer impeccable service and luxurious rooms.
Italians are famous both for their passionate approach to life and their ability to relax and enjoy bella vita. Thus, skiing in an Italian resort is a relaxed affair that places great importance on eating, drinking, and socializing, as well as the action on the slopes. Italians are also incredibly friendly to foreign visitors and will do all they can to offer assistance in any situation. They are very family-orientated, which means that the resorts automatically cater for families, particularly ones with young children.
For those who love culture and history, the Italian ski resorts are a great choice. Many of the resorts contain traditional architecture and you can spend as much time sightseeing as you can skiing. During your stay, it may be possible to organize a day trip that will take you to a nearby major Italian city, so that you can really experience the unique culture and history of the respective region. For example, from the Gran Sasso ski area, you can plan a day trip to Rome and see all that the Eternal City has to offer. If skiing is your passion, there are two words that you should remember – Think Italy!
