Listen to “252. Let’s go skiing in Italy: The Dolomites, Alps, and Beyond” on Spreaker.
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When you think of Italy, skiing might not be the first thing that comes to mind – but the fantastic skiing in Italy is no secret to the Italians and other Europeans who flock to the mountains and slopes found all over the country. With plenty of world-class skiing, including breathtaking slopes in the Dolomites and the picturesque Val d’Aosta, the North of Italy, in particular, offers a unique blend of skiing and stunning alpine charm. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or new to the sport, join us as we navigate Italy’s picturesque winter wonderlands, offering tips on travel logistics, insider knowledge on lesser-known resorts, and a glimpse at Italy’s rich skiing culture.
Summary
We head to the mountains and peaks of Italy in this week’s episode. You may be surprised to learn that only one of Italy’s 20 regions doesn’t have a ski resort with the Italians heading from their cities and the coast up into the mountains to enjoy time on the slopes. We focus particularly on the impeccably organized Northern regions – with family-friendly resorts, cozy spa towns as well as a few glitzy spots. We explore the best spots to hit the slopes, the nuances of renting ski gear, and the color-coded ski runs. We’ll also discuss the unique cultural blend in northern Italy, tantalizing local cuisine, and a variety of winter activities beyond skiing.
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What you’ll learn in this episode
- With almost 300 ski resorts there is a lot of options across Italy. While most are found in the Alps, there are also many across the regions, from Tuscany to Calabria and even on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily
- Tyla learned to ski in Italy when she lived with a family in Florence would go skiing during weekends to the Dolomites. Having been to the Ortisei area in the Fall, on our first-ever Untold Italy Dolomites Tour, Tyla is keen to head up to do some skiing in resorts around the Seceda peak
- The ski areas in Northern Italy are well-organized and if you don’t want to bring your own gear, rental for gear includes skis, boots, poles, snowboards, and helmets – but it is best to reserve this in advance
- Travel to the Dolomites is easier than ever with a direct train from Rome to Bolzano. Alternatively, driving offers more flexibility despite some public transport challenges
- Madonna di Campiglio & Val di Fassa are ideal resorts for families and beginners with mainly blue slopes (the easiest slopes in the Italian system). Sesto & San Candido are also good options for newcomers
- Many international visitors are surprised by the dual-language dynamics in Northern Italy where places have both Italian and German names, such as Sesto (Sexten)
- Non-skiers will find plenty to love about the ski resorts, from surprisingly luxurious mountain-view restrooms to cozy rifugios offering delectable food and drinks. Other activities include ice skating, snowshoeing, spa treatments, and shopping – with Christmas markets running until January 6th
- The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026 are set to draw global attention to these stunning regions. Book early if you want to experience the excitement
- With so many options for a wonderful Alpine winter trip, it can be tricky to plan, particularly with the lack of online information on the practicalities. Tyla, one of our Untold Italy Trip Consultants can offer help with the logistics of planning your Italian ski trip >> learn more here
Timeline Overview
- 04:49 Italy has nearly 300 ski resorts, though mostly found in the Alps but also found across the regions due to the many mountains
- 12:11 When considering whether to bring gear -it makes sense for long ski trips, but not short trips where you are visiting other parts of Italy, such as the cities
- 19:02 Sesto modern; San Candido excellent for learners
- 21:12 Bormio: Family-friendly skiing, charming town, spas
- 26:00 Italian skiing offers unbeatable dining experiences
- 35:02 As well as spectacular skiing, the Dolomites offers Tobogganing, spas, restaurants and controversially accordingly to Tyla – the best pizza
About our guest – Tyla Craven-Griffiths
Tyla is an Australian who fell in love with Italy during her first visit in 2018. Since then she has returned many times as a tourist as well as having lived in the beautifully diverse cities of Florence, Milan, and Trieste.
As a digital nomad, she now travels the world full-time with her husband, planning trips and returning to Italy as often as Ishecan. She dreams of one day having her own slice of Italian paradise – a house on the Ligurian or Tuscan coastline sounds perfect!
As well as working on our social media, she is an Untold Italy Trip Consultant. She loves searching for hidden treasures and special experiences, ensuring people get to enjoy soaking up the local way of life, and savoring those la dolce vita moments when helping plan someone’s trip to Italy. She loves creating unforgettable itineraries for families, friends, and couples visiting Italy in all seasons.
Follow Tyla here
Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned
Places
- Aosta – town in the Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps
- Apennines – mountain range which runs through Italy
- Calabria – region on the south western part of Italy
- Sardinia – 2nd largest Italian island
- Abruzzo – a region in central Italy. East of Rome, it includes an Adriatic coastline and the Apennine Mountains
- Bolzano – city in South Tyrol and a gateway to the Dolomites
- Ivrea – town outside Turin
- Pila – town in the Aosta Valley you can reach by cable car from Aosta
- Bardonecchia – Accessible to do day trip skiing from Turin
- Dolomiti Superski – made up of 12 ski resorts and a total of 1,246 km of slopes, it’s the largest ski area in the world
- Madonna di Campiglio – great place for family-friendly skiing
- Val di Fassa – valley in the Dolomites for hikes and skiing
- 3 Zinnen – 3 peaks – a manageable ski resort in the Dolomites
- Sesto/Sexten – village famous as a summer and winter sports resort in the mountains of South Tyrol
- Cortina d’Ampezzo – glitzy ski resort in the Dolomites
- San Candido/Innichen – part of the Tre Cime Natural Park, in the Dolomites, on the border of Austria
- Bormio and Livigno – ski resorts in Italy near the Swiss border and thermal waters
- Courmayeur and Cervini – ski resorts in the Aosta Valley
- Zermatt – mountain resort in Switzeland
- Sestriere – ski resort in Piedmont
- Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm – a Dolomite plateau and the largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe
- Ortisei/Urtijëi – charming village, a jumping off point to Alpe di Siusi
- Merano – spa town in South Tyrol
Words / Concepts
- Giovanni Agnelli – founder of Fiat, built Sestriere as Europe’s first officially purpose-built ski resort
Related content on Untold Italy
Podcasts
- Ep 153 – Christmas markets in Northern Italy’s South Tyrol region
- Ep 128 – How to spend 5 days – in South Tyrol and the Dolomites
- Ep 085 – Hiking the Dolomites
- Ep 064 – Stunning South Tyrol and the Dolomites
Articles
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