Travel Tips

Where to go skiing in Italy as the 2026 Winter Olympics approach

Discover the best skiing in Italy! From the Dolomites to Aosta Valley, explore word-class slopes, dramatic scenery, and Italy’s charming culture.

A winter in Northern Italy is often what it takes to truly understand how alive Italy’s ski scene is.

As the cold season hits, Northern Italy’s beautiful mountains transform from a hiking paradise into a snowy dreamland. And the best part? You don’t have to be an experienced skier or snowboarder to enjoy this magic.

With breathtaking mountain scenery, top-class ski terrains for all levels, and of course, the ‘deliziosa’ food, skiing in Italy rivals the renowned resorts in France and Switzerland.

In this guide, we’re breaking down where to find the best skiing in Italy by region and what makes each resort so special!

Resort	Location	Nearest Airport & Distance	Highlights
Cortina d’Ampezzo	Belluno (Dolomites)	Venice Marco Polo (2–2.5 hrs)	Glamorous Olympic resort, dramatic Dolomite scenery, world-class facilities
Val Gardena & Sella Ronda	South Tyrol (Dolomites)	Verona (3 hrs)	Access to the Sella Ronda circuit, excellent infrastructure, long scenic cruising routes
Madonna di Campiglio	Trentino	Verona (3 hrs) or Milan Bergamo (3.5 hrs)	Balanced terrain, nature park setting, strong après-ski scene
Livigno	Lombardy	Milan Bergamo (3.5 hrs)	High-altitude snow reliability, duty-free shopping, excellent cuisine
Cervinia	Aosta Valley	Turin (2 hrs) or Milan Malpensa (2.5 hrs)	Long gentle pistes, Matterhorn views, Italy–Switzerland ski link
Courmayeur	Aosta Valley	Turin (2 hrs) or Milan Malpensa (3 hrs)	Off-piste skiing, gourmet dining, Mont Blanc views

In this article

Skiing in the Dolomites (Northern Italy)

A fun fact about Italy is that it has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country! One of these is the Dolomites mountain range, which spans several provinces and is also Italy’s most famous ski region.

Aside from the dramatic landscapes that leave you in awe, the Dolomiti Superski is the world’s largest lift-and-slope network. With one pass, you can access 12 interconnected ski resorts, boasting 1200 km (745 miles) of wide, well-groomed slopes and 450 lifts.

Skiing in Italy’s Dolomites is a top choice for intermediate skiers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to enjoy some scenic cruising on the slopes.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno (Veneto)

Source: Shutterstock

Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of the Dolomiti Superski area. It has a very glamorous, upmarket reputation, as it’s a renowned celebrity vacation spot and has a rich Olympic heritage; Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and is one of the host cities for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Because of this, Cortino boasts:

World-class facilities
Reliable snow
Ski terrains and slopes for all levels

Away from the slopes, the town is both charming and elegant, offering the perfect blend of culture and adventure.

Val Gardena & the Sella Ronda, South Tyrol

Source: Shutterstock

Val Garena is the most traditional ski resort in the Italian Dolomites and holds the highest ratings, with:

175 km (109 miles) of skiable terrain as it’s part of Dolomiti Superski
Slopes for all levels, including the Saslong World Cup downhill for pros
Modern infrastructure and guaranteed snow

Val Gardena also gives access to the famous Sella Ronda ski route. This circuit circles the Sella massif mountain range and is especially popular among intermediate skiers looking to rack up their mileage while soaking in the vistas.

A ski vacation in Val Gardena is also highly cultural and a fantastic choice for anyone looking to solo travel in Italy. You’ll get to experience traditional South Tyrolean cuisine (such as cheese dumplings and speck) and Italy’s iconic charming mountain huts (rifugi).

Skiing in Trentino & Lombardy

While these regions are less internationally famous than the Dolomites, Trentino and Lombardy’s ski resorts are widely popular with locals. Therefore, they offer an authentic, culturally rich experience, along with more affordable prices and fewer crowds.

Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino

Source: Shutterstock

Madonna di Campiglio is a high-altitude town with a stunning and stylish resort. As part of the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta, Madonna di Campiglio has:

156 km (97 miles) of interconnected runs across three ski areas
Balanced terrain for mixed-skill groups

It’s also an excellent place for cross-country skiing and other outdoor activities, including winter hiking, as the town sits within the Adamello Brenta Nature Park.

Meanwhile, the picturesque town center is home to elegant boutiques and chic bars, creating the perfect ‘après-ski’ setting.

Livigno, Lombardy

Source: Shutterstock

Livigno is where the ‘Milanese’ go for a winter break. The high-altitude valley town sees sunny weather and consistent snow from December to April.

Here, you’ll find 115 km (71 miles) of slopes that cater to all levels, including beginners. It’s also a hub for snowboarders, freestylers, and cross-country skiers.

Another major appeal is that Livigno is a duty-free town, meaning you can purchase goods at lower prices. Livorngo also has a lively ski town atmosphere and some of the best food in Italy — Pizzoccheri and bresaola are must-tries!

Skiing in the Aosta Valley

Located in the northwest corner of Italy, the Aosta Valley offers an epic high-altitude skiing experience amidst some of the most dramatic Alpine scenery you’ve ever laid your eyes on. The ‘Aosta Valley Skipass’ allows you to ski at all the region’s resorts, perfect for intermediates looking for some serious downhill skiing thrills!

Cervinia

Source: Shutterstock

Cervinia enjoys long, sunny seasons and offers wide, gentle pistes that are particularly ideal for beginners and first-timers. At the same time, Cervinia attracts intermediates as it has some of the longest runs in Italy, including the famous 21km descent from Plateau Rosa.

Skiing in Cervinia, Italy, means you’re directly under the iconic Matterhorn mountain, providing spectacular views as you cruise along the slopes. What’s more, the town center has a vibrant ski town atmosphere, especially on the weekends.

Courmayeur

Source: Shutterstock

Courmayeur is THE place to go for intermediates looking for a mix of:

Challenging terrain
Authentic Italian culture
Gourmet cuisine

Experienced skiers flock here for the vast and easily accessible off-piste terrain at Val Veny and Youla gorge.

Scenery-wise, Courmayeur offers magnificent views of Mont Blanc, and the historic Alpine town blends traditional Italian mountain culture with a cosmopolitan vibe. Think charming cobbled streets and stylish boutiques!

Which Italian ski resort is best for you?

When choosing where to go skiing in Italy, consider your level and what you’re looking for from the trip. Here’s a snapshot of how to find the best skiing in Italy for you:

Best for beginners – Cervinia
Best for intermediates – Val Gardena
Best for snow reliability – Cortina d’Ampezzo
Best for food – Livigno
Best for culture – Courmayeur
Best ‘Apres-Ski’ vibe – Madonna di Campiglio

How the Winter Olympics are shaping skiing in Italy

The upcoming 2026 Italian Winter Olympics are attracting major attention and investment to Italy’s northern ski regions. The country’s most famous resorts, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, will host Olympic events, which is sure to further reinforce Italy’s reputation as one of Europe’s top winter sports destinations.

In preparation for the Games, many Italian ski resorts are benefiting from:

Upgraded lift systems
Improved transport links
Enhanced snow-making
Modernized facilities

These improvements don’t just serve the competing athletes, but also tourists and everyday skiers.

However, these improvements are likely to increase prices at Italy’s ski resorts. So if you’re thinking about skiing in Italy, head there ASAP. Right now is the perfect opportunity to soak up the Olympic atmosphere and experience Italy’s legendary ski scene, without the foreseen post-Olympics price hikes!

Stay connected on Italy’s slopes with Holafly

Whether you’re cruising through the Dolomites or navigating resort towns, having fast, reliable data will make your Italian ski adventure hassle-free.

Despite being in remote mountain areas, Italy’s top ski resorts offer excellent cellular coverage. So get Holafly eSIM before you go and enjoy instant, unlimited data the moment you land!

Shop the Holafly eSIM for Italy here!