Skiing in Italy offers a different experience to the mega resorts of France, Switzerland and Austria. Instead of the raucous dancing-on-tables style of après-ski, Italian resorts often offer sophisticated aperitivi bars where you can stop and sample some of the delicious antipasti with your hot wine, beer or coffee.

Skiing can be an entirely more leisurely affair here too, with short ski days, long lunches and afternoons in the spa followed by an evening of gastronomic delight. We probably don’t need to tell you that food is a large part of the culture in Italy, and throughout the day you will have the opportunity to try dishes homemade from fresh local ingredients such as pasta, cured meats and cheeses.

Ski resorts in Italy are found along the northern border with France, Switzerland and Austria. From Sestriere in the north-west, up to the Aosta Valley and resorts such as Courmayeur, La Thuile and Cervinia, all the way round to the Dolomites over in the east, there is a wide range of resorts to choose from. Many of these are still relatively undiscovered by British skiers, making them a real Italian experience and, in comparison to other resorts in Europe, still cheap.

Resorts

Cervinia

Cruisy, sunny intermediate runs beneath the iconic Matterhorn

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ski jump

Champoluc

A rustic, relaxed village surrounded by the Monte Rosa mountains, quietly famous for its lift-accessed off-piste

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Courmayeur ski resort

Courmayeur

Heaps of mountaineering-heritage and fabulous food on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, with a fairly small intermediate ski area

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skiing aerial view

La Thuile

A pleasant, calm, snowsure resort linked to French La Rosiere, with beautiful views of Mont Blanc and the French Alps

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skiers in Livigno

Livigno

A remote, high-up, snowsure resort with a long season, plus fuss-free good value thanks to its VAT-free status

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Merano ski resort, Italy

Merano 2000

Family-friendly base for exploring the resorts of the South Tyrol, and handy for the historic spa town of Merano

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Sauze d'Oulx ski resort, Italy

Sauze d’Oulx

Still a British party resort, but now very pleasantly so. A great base for the extensive Milky Way area – best for speedy piste cruisers

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skiing action shot

Sestriere

The highest resort in the Milky Way area, sunny and lofty with panoramic views over the French/Italian border and easy access from Turin

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Val Gardena ski resort, Italy

Val Gardena

Extensive skiing for enthusiastic explorers, with access to the Sella Ronda ski circuit in the spectacular, craggy Dolomites

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