Skiing in Italy

There are several Italian ski areas, and each is blessed with its own advantages. Here are a few highlights for your delectation:

• Dolomiti Superski is nestled in the shadows of the mighty Drei Zinnen and comprises 12 ski resorts and 1200 km of manicured slopes (making it the world’s largest ski area). The 200 million-year-old Dolomites are a stunning natural amphitheatre and span everything from rugged, rocky peaks to serene mountain lakes, and a Dolomiti Superski pass entitles you to take full advantage of 12 resorts, 50 ski villages and 30 snow parks, all connected by a super-efficient network of 450 cable cars. Apart from chic cafes, cool restaurants and great clubs, off-piste activities include cross-country skiing, tobogganing and ice skating. Favourite resorts here include Cortina, Alta Badia, Kronplatz, and Val Gardena.

• Milky Way has a 400km skiable area and includes the resorts of Sansicario, Sauze d’Oulx, Sestriere and Montgenevre. The host site of the 2006 Winter Olympics, there are some legendary black runs here, including the Moncrons and Fraiteve pistes, but there’s also 35km of cross-country skiing routes, some lovely wood-lined runs which help novices progress toward intermediate level and a snowpark to keep riders satisfied. Meanwhile, for something a little different, you can visit the Olympic bobsled run or try ice skating or skidooing. Finally, the apres-ski is diverse, with everything from chic cafes to bouncing clubs, and it’s particularly sociable in Sauze d’Oulx.

• Monterosa ski area includes top resorts like Brusson, Alagna Valsesia, Champoluc, Gressoney Saint Jean and more ̶ the entire area comprises seven resorts, 213km skiable area and 64 well-groomed pistes connected by a convenient network of 52 ski lifts that reach a top height of 3550m. This area has a great reputation for fresh powder and off-piste adventures, so it’s particularly popular with snowboarders. The entire ski area is spread over three valleys close to the Monte Rosa massif, which is Europe’s second-highest glacier, so it’s very snow-sure and great conditions are guaranteed at almost any time of the season.

You may also consider some other Italian ski areas like Alta Valtellina, Aosta Valley, Bardonecchia, Campiglio Di Brenta, Cervino Ski Paradise, Pontedilegno Tonale

With a long season that lasts from November through April and plenty of mountainous regions that from natural snowsports playgrounds, Italy’s ski areas are typically very snow-sure. Take Arrabba in Dolomiti Superski as a prime example:

• In the most recent season, Arrabba had a total snowfall of 219cm, 9 total snowfall days, an average summit depth of 165cm, maximum summit depth of 295cm, average base depth of 102cm and maximum base depth of 124cm, and a biggest snowfall record of 90cm.

If sociable soirees are as high on your priority as skiing or snowboarding, you’ll be in your element in Italy, because you’ll find some of the best apres-ski in the world here. Take a look at a few of our highlights for 24-hour party people:

• Selva has a particularly lively and eclectic apres-ski scene, so you’ll never be stuck for spots to socialise in. If you fancy Go-Go dancers and stunning views over Val Gardena, head to Piz Seteur, while La Stua at the Costabella lift is another busy hub which offers live music and a fine selection of ice-cold German beers. However, the most legendary venue here is Luiskeller, which is regarded by some aficionados as one of the best bars in the whole of the Alps.

• Cortina offers high-end apres-ski, with the scene ably represented by fancy wine bars like Enoteca, which has a labyrinthine wine list featuring hundreds of expensive bottles, and Bar LP26 which specialises in exotic cocktails. However, if tabletop dancing, champagne and busting a few moves on the dancefloor floats your boat, head to the Bilbo and VIP clubs, where you can party til the wee small hours.

• Sauze d’Oulx is certainly one of the liveliest Italian ski resorts for apres-ski, and it offers a mixture of chilled-out and bustling bars and clubs where you can completely unwind after a day on the slopes. Head to Moncrons for beers, cocktails and a buzzing atmosphere, the Derby Bar has awesome ambience with DJs whipping the crowd up into a storm and Ghost Pub is another popular stop for revellers.

• Livigno is the perfect place for price-focused partygoers to have a great time because it offers very low, duty-free prices and there are around 150 pubs and clubs to choose from. Kuhstall is a terrific cellar bar which converts to a bijou but banging disco after 10pm, Daphne’s is another perpetually popular and Stalet bar at the Carosella 3000 gondola is a favourite haunt for snowboarders meeting for a few beers after their sessions.

These are simply a select few Italian resorts, but you can see that there’s something to suit partygoers of every taste ̶ Italian apres-ski is always awesome!

Your ideal Italian ski accommodation will depend on your plans and the needs of your travel party, but there’s always plenty to choose from with Erna Low.

To help you choose, here are some advantages of ski apartments and ski hotels:

Italy Ski Hotels

If you want to feel pampered, an Italian ski hotel might be the best choice. Your salubrious suite will have all the mod cons and home comforts, you’ll be a stone’s throw (or shuttle bus) from the slopes and (depending on the standard of establishment) all the facilities and amenities you need under one roof, such as gyms, saunas, restaurants and bars. If you love the privacy of your own living space, combined with the luxury of having staff cater to your every need, perhaps an Italian ski resort is your best option.

Italy Ski Apartments

Do you value independent living and the privacy of choosing whether, and to what extent, you mix and mingle with other holidaymakers?

If you’re nodding your head, then ski apartments in Italy probably perfectly fit your preferences. Italian ski apartments are available in various styles, but whether the exterior is a traditional chalet design or has more contemporary styling, suite interiors always prioritise comfort, safety and security, along with a dash of legendary Latin style.

Some apartments also have onsite pools, gyms and saunas, thereby offering some hotel-type luxuries, while strategically located apartments will also offer doorstep skiing.

Whichever Italian ski holiday accommodation type you choose, Erna Low can help find the best possible residence for your requirements and budget.

Self-drive and self-catering Italian ski holidays are becoming increasingly popular, so if the thought pf holidaying with minimum contact with people outside of your group sounds appealing, contact us to find out more ̶ we’ll explore all the possibilities and make the arrangements.

However, if you prefer the speed and convenience of flying over driving, we can offer ski transfers from Italian airports like Verona, Venice, and Milan Malpensa to your resort and you can connect directly or indirectly to these destinations from a range of UK airports. Whether you fly or drive, Erna Low is here to make your holiday hassle-free.

With generations in the European ski holiday business, we have a vast partner network in Italian ski resorts, therefore we can easily arrange your Italian ski passes and ski equipment hire, find an excellent price and conveniently include these extras in your package.