Resort Guide: Italy

Arabba

The runs are challenging for intermediate skiers, without being impossible. This is a place that caters more to accomplished skier rather than a beginner. The big pull with Arabba is the direct access to the Sellaronda circuit and the rest of the Dolomiti Superski area – the largest in Europe with 1,200kms of piste!
The resort village itself is small and with a small amount of local runs. However, they are all well kept. Excellent access to the famous Marmolada glacier is what it’s all about for anyone after a challenge. Topping out at 3,200 for skiing and featuring red and black runs including the 12km La Bellunese it’s a big area to explore, especially rewarding with an off-piste guide.

Cortina

When you ski at a resort where the grooming is guaranteed, you know you’re in for a treat. 90% of their pistes are served by snow cannons. So even when the snow isn’t playing ball you know the conditions will still be first-class.

Skiing in Cortina itself is limited to 120km but the draw is the opportunity to explore San Cassiano, Corvara, and the other villages in the Alta Badia valley.

Cortina’s slopes have pedigree too – The Olympia piste in Tofane has been hosting a women’s FIS World Cup for years and continues to do so every January.

Corvara & Colfosco

The skiing in Alta Badia valley where both these villages sit caters to all abilities. There are considerably more beginner and intermediate terrain than expert-level, the black runs are certainly challenging and the off-piste is sublime and even better with a local guide. An added benefit is the consistency of the pistes thanks to slopes on all aspects of the compass which are situated both above and below the treeline.

Courmayeur

Located at the top of the Aosta valley and with 14 peaks higher than 4000m, Courmayeur is serious mountain destination.

The skiing itself is challenging enough on-piste and wouldn’t recommend it for beginners. Off-piste is where this mountain comes alive and there is real fun to be had especially from the top of the ski area.

You can ascend the 3462m Punta Helbronner via a gondola from Entrèves, giving you access to skiing off-piste itineraries on Mont Blanc – A true adventure!

La Villa

Alta Badia has 130km of pistes connected by 53 lifts and cable cars. Access to the area between the 3 neighboring villages and the further ski area is via the Piz La Ila cable car. From there, all skiers will revel in the expertly prepared ski runs and enjoy the breathtaking views.

The Alta Badia area is famed for the enticingly wide and perfectly groomed slopes to suit all abilities of skier and snowboarder. It really is ideal for families – not just in terms of the slopes which are blue for the most part, but the variety of snow-parks will keep kids entertained for hours each day. There are challenging runs for expert skiers too, such as the Gran Risa itself.

Madonna di Campiglio

With 150km of immaculately groomed pistes, it’s unsurprising that it has won as many awards as it has. For a bit more adventure you can ski into the Superskirama ski area – a 380km collaboration of the slopes above Madonna, Paso Tonale, and six other villages in the Dolomite range.
The resort itself is located at 1550m and the majority of the skiable terrain is below 2100m (topping out at just 2600m). It’s advisable to visit Madonna di Campiglio in the colder, more snow-sure months of winter if you want to get the best ski conditions. For freestylers, the Ursus snow park is considered to be one of Europe’s best.

San Cassiano

From this picturesque village, you can easily access all of the Alta Badia ski area. Close to the villages of La Villa, Colfosco, and Corvara – the best place to get onto the famous Sellaronda ski circuit. The men’s World Cup run – Gran Risa – is located above La Villa

The skiing here is suited to all abilities and provides excellent conditions for the novice to develop and perfect their technique. There are ski schools for children and adults and also a variety of ‘Movimënt’ snow parks on the plateau between Col Alto, Pralongiá, Piz La Ila, and Piz Sorega cable cars.

Selva Val

Selva offers stunning views of the Dolomites amidst a combination of tree-lined and high alpine pistes. Famous for its two World Cup ski races – the Downhill and Super G.
The resort is part of the Dolomiti Super Ski Area, which is the largest in Europe.

Selva itself is packed with groomed, cruisey pistes with a wide range of difficulty, but it’s best suited to intermediate and advanced red-run skiers. There’s a lot of pride and dedication in the piste preparation and it certainly shows; be sure to throw a few carves down the famous Saslong run and any one of the other well-groomed pistes.

St Cristina Val Gardena

If you jump on the Saslong cable car from the center of the village you’ll be taken up to the valley towards Ciampioni, the gateway of the Sellaronda ski circuit, and the 1,200km Dolomiti Superski area.

Intermediate skiers really enjoy the ski area itself and it’s encouragingly accessible for learners too. The pockets of steep and demanding terrain will keep the experts entertained, but the real benefit of skiing in this area is the breathtaking scenery.

There are plenty of excellent ski schools and the tuition covers a wide range of skill levels, but you’ll probably need to take a bus each morning to Selva.