Best Ski & Snowboard Resorts in Italy

High and snow sure with plenty of cheap accommodation Passo Tonale is an appealing resort especially for beginners who are looking to progress. The Presena glacier guarantees good snow and slopes are generally wide, sunny and well groomed. The recent link to Ponte di Legno has increased Passo Tonale’s extent but seasoned skiers searching for mileage and a challenge would really be better looking elsewhere.

Sauze d’Oulx is a large and well known resort that forms part of the vast Milky Way circuit (400 kms of slopes) that links the other Italian resorts of Sestriere and Sansicaro to Claviere and Montgenevre in France. There certainly is some extensive skiing here to be done, however the lift system is not the best and it can take a long time to get from one place to another. Having a car is a useful addition to your trip. Those looking for some banging nightlife won’t be disappointed either. Providing the snow holds up (quite often it doesn’t) Sauze d’Oulx does have a lot to offer.

Part of the huge Milky Way circuit (offering 400 kms of slopes), Sestriere is a purpose built, high resort with reasonably snow sure slopes. The town certainly isn’t pretty but functional, and improvements to the resort were made after it was chosen to host some of the events at the 2006 Winter Olympics. The resort ideally suits intermediate skiers however there are opportunities for beginners and experts.

Set amongst some of the most stunning scenery you will ever see, Cortina d’Ampezzo has slopes that cater for most skiing abilities. Providing the snowfall is adequate there are plenty of long cruisey blues and tough black runs keeping all skier types from beginners to experts happy. You can also access the nearby Sella Rhonda circuit providing an additional 1200kms of slopes to explore. The only downside is the fragmented nature of the resort which is split over a number of areas.

La Thuile is a small village with a decent sized skiing area with the added benefit of a link at altitude to the neighbouring resort of La Rosiere in France. La Thuile is a confidence building resort which timid intermediates or those of a more cautious disposition will love. Those who are looking for more demanding terrain have several black runs to try and of course La Rosiere where the skiing is genuinely more challenging.