Ski holidays
Best ski resorts in Italy: 7 resorts ranked, and where to stay
Italy gives you the Dolomites, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, and some of the best mountain food in the Alps. These are the seven we would choose.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
In short
The best ski resort in Italy is Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites, with Mandarin Oriental Cristallo as our first-choice hotel. For long days skiing around the Sella massif, Val Gardena is best. For reliable snow high up, Cervinia and Livigno are the safest bets. We have ranked 7 resorts in total.
Our first choice: Mandarin Oriental Cristallo in Cortina. Check availability and prices
It is one o’clock, and outside a mountain hut in Val Gardena the skis stand in the snow while guests order pasta and a glass of wine. The peaks around are the Dolomites, sheer walls that change colour as the sun goes down. It is hard to explain an Italian ski holiday better.
Italy has some of the largest ski areas in the Alps, and prices are often lower than in Switzerland and France. We have ranked the resorts on terrain and snow, and chosen one hotel we would stay at in each.
1. Cortina d’Ampezzo: queen of the Dolomites
Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and was a host again at the 2026 Games. The town is elegant, with a car-free main street and some of the most dramatic peaks in the Dolomites around it. The ski areas are spread around the valley, so a car or the ski bus makes the days easier.
Where to stay: Mandarin Oriental Cristallo sits just above the centre, with valley views and its own spa.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mandarin Oriental Cristallo
Read the full guide: Cortina d’Ampezzo: skiing in the Dolomites and where to stay
2. Val Gardena: the Sella Ronda from your door
Val Gardena sits at the foot of the Sella massif, and from here you can ski the Sella Ronda, the circuit over four mountain passes. The World Cup downhill runs on the Saslong every December. The villages are known for woodcarving, and the mood is calm and traditional.
Where to stay: ADLER Spa Resort Dolomiti is in Ortisei and has a large spa for the evenings.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at ADLER Spa Resort Dolomiti
Read the full guide: Val Gardena: skiing on the Sella Ronda, and where to stay
3. Cervinia: high under the Matterhorn
Cervinia sits on the Italian side of the Matterhorn, and its ski area links with Zermatt in Switzerland. The high terrain means a long season and plenty of wide, easy runs. One thing to know: strong winds can close the top lifts, so have a plan for the bad days.
Where to stay: Hermitage Hotel sits just outside the centre and has a small spa.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hermitage Hotel
Read the full guide: Cervinia: skiing on the Italian side of the Matterhorn
Cervinia
A hotel in Cervinia, lit up in the snow beneath the peaks towards the Matterhorn.
4. Madonna di Campiglio: elegance in the Brenta
Madonna di Campiglio sits beneath the Brenta peaks, part of the Dolomites west of Bolzano. It has a long history as a ski resort, and the World Cup slalom is held here. The pistes are well groomed, and the mood is stylish without being stiff.
Where to stay: Hotel Spinale is in the centre, a short walk from the lifts.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Spinale
Read the full guide: Madonna di Campiglio: skiing in the Brenta Dolomites
5. Livigno: snow-sure and duty-free
Livigno sits high in a remote valley near the Swiss border, and its snow is reliable all season. The town is a duty-free zone, so everything from fuel to kit is cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. During the 2026 Olympics it hosted the snowboard and freestyle events.
Where to stay: Hotel Lac Salin Spa & Mountain Resort has a spa and is a short walk from the lifts.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Lac Salin Spa & Mountain Resort
Read the full guide: Livigno: snow-sure skiing in Italy’s Little Tibet and where to stay
Livigno
A chalet hotel in deep snow at dusk in Livigno.
6. Courmayeur: Mont Blanc, Italian style
Courmayeur sits on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, and the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car takes you high onto the mountain. The ski area is not large, but the off-piste and the food in the mountain huts are among the best in the country. The town has an old main street lined with shops and cafés.
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Royal e Golf is in the centre, looking towards Mont Blanc.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Grand Hotel Royal e Golf
Read the full guide: Courmayeur: skiing on the Italian side of Mont Blanc
7. Sestriere: the Olympic resort near Turin
Sestriere was built as a ski resort in the 1930s and hosted the alpine events at the 2006 Turin Olympics. It sits in the Via Lattea, a big ski area that crosses the border into France. It is a short drive from Turin and suits anyone who wants plenty of terrain for their money.
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Sestriere stands in the middle of the plateau, a short walk from the slopes.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Grand Hotel Sestriere
Read the full guide: Sestriere: skiing in the Via Lattea and where to stay
Sestriere
A large hotel on the snowy plateau at Sestriere.
Which resort suits you?
The Dolomites and the views: Cortina or Val Gardena.
Reliable snow: Cervinia or Livigno.
Style and good food: Cortina, Madonna di Campiglio or Courmayeur.
Plenty of terrain for your money: Sestriere or Livigno.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ski resort in Italy?
Cortina d’Ampezzo is the best ski resort in Italy for most people, with the Dolomites around it and elegant hotels. Val Gardena is best if you want to ski the Sella Ronda and spend long days on the slopes. For reliable snow high up, Cervinia and Livigno are the safest choices all season.
Where do you ski in the Dolomites?
The best-known ski resorts in the Dolomites are Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val Gardena and Alta Badia, all part of Dolomiti Superski. One lift pass gives you access to one of the largest ski areas in the world. Madonna di Campiglio is in the Brenta part of the Dolomites, further west, and has its own lift pass.
Is skiing in Italy cheaper than in France and Switzerland?
Italy is often cheaper than France and Switzerland, for lift passes, mountain food and hotels. Cortina and Courmayeur are exceptions at the top of the price range. Livigno is a duty-free zone and one of the cheapest places for kit and fuel. Sestriere is also good value.
Which airport do you fly to for skiing in Italy?
It depends where you are going. Venice and Treviso are closest to Cortina, while Verona and Innsbruck suit Val Gardena and Madonna di Campiglio. Turin is nearest to Sestriere and Cervinia, and Geneva is a short drive from Courmayeur through the Mont Blanc tunnel. Livigno is far from every airport, so expect a long transfer.
When is the best snow in Italy?
Snow is usually best from January to March in the Italian Alps. The Dolomites have many sunny days and extensive snowmaking, so conditions are often good even in dry winters. High resorts such as Cervinia and Livigno have the longest seasons and good skiing right up to Easter.