The bigger the ski resort the more terrain you can explore. There are great ski resorts in Italy with spacious villages and lots of pistes, suitable for different levels of skiers. Our ski experts have created a guide to the largest ski resorts in Italy.
Sestriere
Part of the Milky Way ski area, Sestriere has access to an impressive 400km of slopes, if you buy a full lift pass. This makes it one of the biggest ski resorts in Italy. The terrain is suitable for all levels of skier with plenty of gentle and challenging pistes in the area. Beginners will be able to learn on dedicated nursery slopes near the village. In addition, there are many black runs and heliskiing opportunities for more advanced skiers.
Stay At:
Hotel Gran Roc is located in a quieter spot outside the centre of Sestriere, with a shuttle bus to the slopes.
Sauze d’Oulx
Located at the end of the Milky Way ski area, Sauze d’Oulx is one of the largest ski resorts in Italy. You can explore 400km of pistes with great links to nearby Sestriere and Claviere. Whether you’re a first-time skier or looking to do some challenging runs, there’s something for everyone. Sauze d’Oulx is mostly suited to intermediates but the 70 ski lift network will get any skier to the slopes they desire. It is only an hour and a half away from Turin Airport, which means you can maximise your time on the slopes.
Stay At:
With it’s unique circular design and prominent position, the Hotel La Torre has long been one of Sauze’s most distinctive landmarks.
Claviere
Situated in the heart of the Milky Way ski area, Claviere has a small village but access to a large number of slopes. You can ski up to 400km of slopes in the ski area with a full lift pass. It has great access to neighbouring resorts Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx and Montgenèvre. Intermediate and advanced skiers will enjoy the local red and black runs at the high points of the resort. Beginners have dedicated nursery slopes near the village.
Stay At:
Hotel Bes is a charming four-star hotel with a spa and restaurant in Claviere.
Cervinia
On the Italian- Swiss border is Cervinia, which is one of the biggest ski resorts in Italy. You can ski 160km of slopes with fantastic access to neighbouring Swiss ski resort Zermatt, which opens up a combined 360km in the area. Admire incredible views of the iconic Matterhorn mountain on and off the slopes. It has a high altitude of 2,050m-3,480m, which means it is a snow-sure ski resort. Skiers of all abilities will be happy with the many slopes on offer in the area.
Stay At:
Ideally situated near to Cervinia’s nursery slopes, the Hotel Punta Maquignaz is one of the most attractive hotels in resort.
Val Gardena
Located in the South Tyrol region, Val Gardena is one of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world. As part of the Dolomiti Superski area, you can explore up to 500km of slopes with a full lift pass, making it one of the largest ski resorts in Italy. In addition, this opens up access to the famous Sella Ronda ski circuit. The views alone are unrivalled with stunning mountain ranges surrounding the slopes. You can admire the iconic Sella Massif at its centre and the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stay At:
Chalet Soldanella in Selva Gardena, closely connected to Val Gardena, is ideally located just a short distance from the slopes and resort centre.
Madonna di Campiglio
Set in between the Brenta Dolomites, Madonna di Campiglio has over 150km of slopes on offer. The combination of modern accommodation, vast slopes and stunning views is popular with skiers visiting Italy. As one of the biggest ski resorts in Italy, Madonna di Campiglio has a fantastic reputation. Skiers of all abilities will be entertained in the mountains. On and off the slopes this ski resort delivers on all fronts.
Stay At:
Campiglio Bellavista in Madonna di Campiglio is an exclusive family run hotel perfect for keen skiers.
La Thuile
La Thuile is located on the French-Italian border, in the Espace San Bernardo ski area. You can explore over 160km of slopes with a full lift pass, with excellent links to neighbouring French ski resort La Rosieré. The slopes tend to be uncrowded because it’s considered a hidden gem in Italy. Despite this, it is one of the largest ski resorts in Italy. Whether you’re a first-time skier or an expert you will enjoy your time in La Thuile.
Stay At:
Montana Lodge and Spa in La Thuile is a luxury five-star hotel with the stunning Mont Blanc as a backdrop.
Gressoney
Part of the Aosta Valley ski area, Gressoney is one of the biggest ski resorts in Italy. Located in the Monterosa ski area, you can ski up to 180m of slopes in the area. It has fantastic links to neighbouring ski resorts Champoluc and Alagna with a network of 29 lifts. The terrain is mainly suited to intermediate and advanced skiers with plenty of red and black runs. In addition, there are fantastic off-piste opportunities.
Stay At:
Found in the traditional resort of Gressoney, the delightful Hotel Lo Scoiattolo offers stunning views of the Valle d’Aosta.
Cortina
Cortina is one of the largest ski resorts in Italy with 120km of slopes locally. In addition, as part of the Dolomiti Superski Area, you can access nearly 1,000km of slopes with a network of 573 ski lifts. There’s something for everyone in this part of the Italian Alps. Cortina is Italy’s answer to St Moritz, Courchevel or Aspen, with its luxury reputation. On and off the slopes, you will experience a top-class ski holiday.
Stay At:
The Hotel de la Poste’s wood-panelled bar is one of the most popular meeting places in Cortina.
Kronplatz
Another ski resort that’s part of the Dolomiti Superski area is Kronplatz. Located in the beautiful Pustertal valley, there are vast but uncrowded slopes. Locally you can ski 119km of slopes, but you can ski up to 1,000km of pistes with a full area lift pass. You will be able to view the stunning iconic Dolomites mountain range on and off the slopes. The terrain is mostly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, but there is a World Cup slope for expert skiers to challenge themselves on.
Stay At:
The Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz is located in the South Tyrol mountains of Italy, and is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
To find out more about the largest ski resorts in Italy, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
