The Best Ski Resorts in Italy

The Insider’s Guide to the Best Ski Resorts in Italy

My husband and I have lived for over ten years in two of Italy’s top skiing regions, and we share a few of the resorts we believe to be the best Italian ski resorts. Page down for more.

The Veneto can be roughly divided into three main ski areas. Basically, the area north of Belluno, the area around Asiago, and finally the mountains to the north of Verona stretching to the shores of Lake Garda Let’s begin exploring these regions...

Cortina d'Ampezzo

Cortina has remained one of Italy's most popular ski resorts and one of the best ski resorts in Italy and indeed Europe since becoming the first Italian town to host the Winter Olympics in 1956.

Cortina d'Ampezzo has everything you could want: great skiing from beginner to advanced, a lively après-ski scene, and some very good shopping—the huge Cooperativa di Cortina is like no other shop I have visited. I don’t really know how you would describe it; it is sort of like a shopping mall, but different, and they obviously have been doing something right; the place has been around for over a century.

I tend to get distracted by shops, so let’s get back to the skiing. With 75 runs totaling over 100 kilometers, 37 ski lifts, 60 kilometers of great cross-country skiing, and plenty of red, blue, and black runs, Cortina d'Ampezzo has something for all levels of skiers. The area also has some great powder runs for snowboarders.

The ski runs on the Tofana slopes are legendary, in particular the very difficult Black Canalone run. Nearly half the runs have snowmaking machines, so you are pretty much assured of some decent skiing even early in December and late in the season.

Cortina d’Ampezzo Hotels

Cortina d’Ampezzo hotels and bed and breakfasts are plentiful but to be honest many are terrible, especially in season the service can be appalling. I really like the Hotel Menardi, which is, in my opinion, miles better than anything else. Click here for more on the hotel.

San Vito di Cadore

It is not a candidate as one of the best ski resorts in Italy, but it is a typical little Veneto mountain village and an ideal place to get away from it all while enjoying some pretty good skiing on slopes ranging up to 1600 meters.

San Vito doesn’t have that many runs, around six in all, and three lifts, but it is a pleasant town to spend time in. Great for less ardent skiers, and because it is so close to Cortina, you can always find a lot more skiing in Cortina if you get bored with the skiing in San Vito di Cadore.

A ski bus runs regularly from San Vito to Cortina, and it's free for Dolomiti Superski pass holders.

Hotels in San Vito di Cadore

Right in the centre of San Vito you will find the Park Hotel Ladinia,If you have young kids then it is the perfect ski resort for children, with a huge playroom and lots of activities. I also enjoy the spa, which is free for guests to use. A good restaurant is the cherry on top.

Falcade

A lovely little town in a bright, sunny valley surrounded by amazing mountain peaks, the highest of which is Marmolada to the north.The whole area is full of fabulous little resorts and characteristic villages.

The Falcade ski resort has some of the best skiing in the Dolomites. With over 100 km of runs and around 60 km of cross-country runs, 28 lifts, and excellent snowmaking capability, you are assured of good skiing throughout the season.

Falcade is particularly well known for its Lovers Run (Pista degli Innamorati), a ten-kilometer run from Col Magherita to Falcade that passes through some lovely scenery. Falcade offers runs from beginner to advanced.

Where to Stay in Falcade

Definitely try to get a booking at the very popular Hotel Pensione Dolomiti.

Can't get in there then these are the other hotel options in Falcade.

Alleghe

Alleghe, like San Vito, may not be one of the best ski resorts in Italy, but it too is a lovely little town with a picturesque lake that, in the winter, is very popular with ice skaters. I am told that many of Italy’s top hockey players grew up in this area.

Alleghe is part of the Comprensorio Sci Ski Civetta region, which includes many other surrounding towns, the most famous of which is probably Selva di Cadore.

The ski slopes in the Ski Civetta are also excellent, with 45 runs nearby and 27 different types of lifts reaching up to around 2000 meters. Most of the runs are in the red or blue category, making the resort better suited to intermediate or beginner-level skiers.

For more about Alleghe click here.

Alleghe Hotels

Although a little outside of Alleghe, about a kilometer or so, I would recommend the Hotel La Maison; a homely family run sort of place with large and spotlessly clean rooms.

Asiago

Asiago is the nearest major resort from our home in Piovene Rocchette and is particularly well known for its 500 kilometers of Nordic or cross-country routes, which are used to host the dog sled races that are held here during the winter.

If you don’t like cross-country skiing and you left your dog and sled at home, don’t worry; Asiago offers a lot more, from downhill through to freestyle, and even ice skating and ice hockey are possible and indeed popular here. One of Italy’s top ice hockey teams hails from the town.

The ski season begins in early December, and some of Italy's most advanced snow-making machines ensure that there is always plenty of snow.

Runs of all types guarantee that whatever your level, you will find something to match, and in all categories, the runs are varied and offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the Dolomites. In total, there are 35 blue runs, 32 red runs, and 15 black runs.

Asiago boasts a pretty impressive après-ski scene with loads of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Asiago Hotels

Great value and breathtaking views is what you can expect from the Charme Hotel Villa Bonomo. Except for cow bells nothing much will disturb your peace and quiet.

Recoaro Mille

Recoaro Mille is easily reached from the famous spa town of Recoaro Terme with the result being you can easily combine your ski holiday with some stress release in the hot spas of Recoaro Terme .

Recoaro Mille, at 1620 meters, is a spectacular ski resort, and although there aren't many runs, you'll find something to suit you from blue to black. 

Getting to the Ski Resorts from Venice, Treviso & Verona

If you are coming to the Veneto by plane, then you will probably land at the airports in Verona, Venice Marco Polo, or Treviso. All of the airports are close to top ski resorts.

In my opinion, the best way to travel to the resorts is by car. However, for more information on car rental, I recommend reading our car rental guide.

Do you prefer to take public transportation? You can catch the train to Belluno from Verona and Venice, although most trains will involve a change at Padua. From Belluno, buses run to most of the ski resorts.