Best Ski Resorts in Italy 2025-26 – Top Italian Alps Destinations

Choose cortinas as your base for 2025-26 to lock in an exhilarating mix of cobbled streets, varied runs, and a well-rounded après-ski scene. Cortina is the ideal destination to kick off with espresso mornings, then hop into the Dolomiti Superski range with a single pass.

From cortinas you reach several towns with easy access to extensive areas of piste, linking a cobbled core with modern lifts. Expect a range of dining options, from traditional trattorie to restaurants offering espresso as a pick-me-up and champagne after long days on the slopes.

Across the Dolomiti Superski network opens about 1,200 km of slopes across 12 linked areas, with Cortina’s local sector around 120 km and more than 40 lifts. The pass gives you access to well-known routes as well as snow-ready off-piste corridors, depending on conditions, making every day exhilarating.

Beyond the pistes, nearby towns offer well-preserved cobbled lanes, cozy inns, and lively restaurants, echoing cortinas’ style. Some hotels provide onsens-inspired baths; a few japans-inspired lounges appear in luxury properties, balancing a calm after-ski mood with refined design. A base in cortinas keeps you close to everything while easy day trips to Alta Badia, Val Gardena, and others extend the experience.

For a balanced itinerary, plan an extended stay in cortinas with 2–3 days in the core resort and 1–2 days exploring nearby towns. The destination supports multi-day passes so you can shift from steep red runs to scenic touring routes, ensuring conditions stay favorable and your trip remains well-paced and enjoyable.

Overview of Top Italian Alps Destinations for 2025-26

Start your 2025-26 itinerary in Cortina d’Ampezzo for a well-rounded base, being thrilling and cultural, with après-ski that lines up with a relaxed pace after the lifts. Bring your skis and prepare for a day in a town whose energy stays friendly from first chair to last run.

The Dolomiti Superski network can provide access to multiple valleys, a setup Cortina has leveraged for years, and the town is well situated for day trips to Alta Badia and Val Gardena. The streets are lined with boutiques, and the culture blends Ladin heritage with contemporary art. Features include panoramic lifts, easy cruisers for beginners, and guided backcountry routes that broaden the experience while giving options for different levels of skiers.

In the north, Livigno offers a car-free village, reliable wi-fi, and family-friendly slopes, plus early runs and tax-free shopping. After a day on the slopes, taste local speck and cheeses in alpine huts and stroll among cozy cafes.

Further west, Cervinia provides high-altitude confidence with long, well-groomed runs that link to Zermatt, offering expansive panoramas and dependable snow. The olympics heritage in the region informs facilities and guest services, ensuring a smooth experience even on busy days. For visitors used to the grandeur of blackcomb, Cervinia offers a different vibe – more intimate villages and simpler après-ski options.

Alta Badia and the Sella Ronda area give a boutique, culture-forward option with multiple routes, early-season snow, and easy access to fine gastronomy. The villages are lined with boutiques, and the vibe remains enjoyable for families and groups alike. источник: resort data for 2025-26 confirms steady growth in bookings across these destinations.

Cervinia: Access routes, beginner-friendly slopes, and lift network

Begin with the Breuil-Cervinia gondola to the Plateau Rosa glacier for a gentle warm-up on long blue runs, delivering elegance and confidence from the first descent. This route keeps turns smooth and eyes on the horizon, and the wide piste profile makes watching the peaks as satisfying as the skiing itself.

Access routes: Cervinia sits in the Aosta Valley and is easiest to reach by road from Turin or Milan. From Turin, follow the A5 to Chatillon, then SR46 up to Cervinia for about 2–2.5 hours. From Milan, the drive takes roughly 3.5–4 hours, depending on traffic. In winter, winter tires are mandatory and carrying chains as a backup is wise. If you prefer rail, take a regional train to Châtillon/Saint-Vincent or Verrès and switch to a bus for the final leg to the resort.

Lift network: The Italian side offers around 30 lifts, including gondolas, high-capacity chairs, and gentle surface lifts that serve the beginner zones and glacier access. The cross-border link to Zermatt via the Klein Matterhorn route expands your adventure, bringing the range of pistes to a world-class total when you count both sides. Details such as clearly marked blue zones, reliable signage, and meticulous snow grooming keep returns efficient and enjoyable. Typical operating hours extend from morning until late afternoon, with seasonal variations; check the snow desk for current times to minimize wait times.

Beginner slopes and progression: Blue runs near the village and on the glacier provide long, forgiving lines ideal for building technique. Greens and easy blues at the base help newcomers gain confidence before stepping up to intermediate-friendly reds and longer blue mixes that thread across the plateau. The layout reduces fatigue, allowing everyone to stay in the action without feeling overwhelmed, and the spacing supports different ability levels within the same day.

Après-ski and experiences: The area offers lodgings with elegance and villa-style stays that add stylish comfort after the slopes. Local cheeses, fontina, and other regional cheeses pair with wine or champagne on sunny terraces, creating a relaxed, world-class vibe that caters to everyone. The emphasis on elegance, details, and comfort makes Cervinia a refined choice for families and travellers seeking a balanced mix of sport and savoring the valley’s notable foods. Being a short hop from Switzerland, the option to extend your day for further pistes keeps the experiences diverse and exciting.

Cortina d’Ampezzo: Terrain by skill level and family-friendly on-mountain experiences

Begin in Faloria for gentle, family-friendly slopes and a convenient on-mountain base; their easy blue runs and sheltered kids’ area create a comfortable December start, while a few lifts link to higher grades for later in the day. On the road, fit tires for winter safety and plan quick transfers to the base stations.

From Faloria, nearby lifts connect to Tofane and Cinque Torri, delivering layers of terrain lined with spruce and pine: long, exhilarating reds for intermediates and a handful of steeper sections for the brave. The iconic peaks frame every run, and gondolas keep pace steady for families and mixed groups alike.

Advanced skiers find challenge in Cristallo and beyond, with steeper pitches and guided off-piste routes that reward careful planning and a safety-first approach.

Family-friendly on-mountain experiences include kid clubs, gentle sledding zones, and on-mountain eateries that blend culinary heritage with kid-friendly options. Nearby places offer cheeses and regional specialties, while alternatively, stops along the slopes present destinations with views. A villa-style lodge can host après-ski moments, and the convenience of Cortina’s services shines in December; for visitors arriving from Venice, the route takes about 2h30m. источник of local hospitality appears in many details, thanks to the region’s layered charm–something memorable, with tastes that echo the season and the heritage.

Madonna di Campiglio: Piste variety, lift efficiency, and convenient lodging

Stay in Campiglio center and ride the Spinale–Grostè network to access the most varied pistes with minimal transfer times.

Compared with niseko and aspen, Madonna di Campiglio offers a more compact base, easier evenings after skiing, and a history of refined alpine service that keeps returning guests satisfied.

• Location and areas: Spinale, Pradalago, and Grostè connect with quick lifts, delivering pistes that span easy blues, longer reds, and a few challenging blacks. The natural terrain features pine and aspen groves that preserve snow quality and give a scenic backdrop for every day on the slopes.
• Suitable for days of adventure: you can tailor routes to lengthen or shorten sessions, hopping between areas as you please, with fewer transfers and more time on the snow.

• Lift efficiency: high-capacity gondolas and modern chairlifts move crowds quickly, with direct links between areas to minimize waiting. Peak-day waits stay comfortably short, and the interconnected network makes returning to base easy, even after long runs.
• Starting and value: the lift plan supports extended ski days, helping you maximize value from your pass and time on snow. The layout reduces downtime, so you can cover more ground in fewer hours.

• Hotels and lodging: central Campiglio hotels offer ski-in/ski-out or short stroll access, while villas provide a home-style option with comfort and space. Many properties cater locally with warm, personalized service and convenient dining options, ideal for returning guests.
• Convenient evenings and dinners: evenings are easy to plan with nearby restaurants and huts serving regional specialties. For families and groups, you’ll find options that accommodate extended stays and varied dining preferences, from casual dinners to curated mountain cuisine.
• Near and suitable lodging: choose lodging that is near the main lifts and town amenities to keep daily routines simple, especially for days with early starts or late finishes.

источник: local tourism board and operators

Val Gardena: Sella Ronda itineraries and peak season crowd tips

Start at 08:30 from Selva di Val Gardena and pick clockwise to beat crowds; the Sella Ronda circles the Sella massif through Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba, and Val di Fassa, offering roughly 40 km of linked pistes and a compact lift network that also keeps transfers efficient.

Two itineraries exist: clockwise and counterclockwise. Clockwise favors finishing back in Selva and often keeps you skiing into the afternoon light, while counterclockwise minimizes waits on the busiest lifts early in the day. If you want to cut the wait, pick an early start.

Peak-season crowds peak on Saturdays and during school holidays. To stay efficient, book lift passes and popular lunch spots in advance, pick midweek days if possible, consider starting at 08:30 or shifting to a late finish to optimize sun, and make a two-part day: morning on the upper, quieter runs and a midday break in a cozy restaurant.

On powder mornings the northern-facing slopes deliver the deepest powder and adrenaline, with runs that still suit intermediate-friendly skiers; the loop offers a balanced mix of grades that make it accessible for most levels.

Besides skiing, the route presents a diverse style of alpine hospitality: cozy huts and restaurants in Selva, Santa Cristina, and Ortisei; some have special menus and panoramic terraces. This mix of options offer a variety of dishes to fit any schedule.

The Sella Ronda remains accessible to families and seasoned skiers alike, and staff speaks English and Italian along with several other languages for the international crowd.

Stay in base towns with proximity to lifts like Selva, Santa Cristina, or Ortisei for easy transfer options, with many lodges offering reliable wi-fi and a quick pick-up from village hubs.

Plan well and the ride makes a fantastic day: it blends powder mornings, adrenaline bursts, and a diverse dining scene; a special experience for an international crowd, with a friendly, efficient style.

Alta Badia: Ladin culture, dining scene, and beginner-friendly pistes

Beginner-friendly plan: Start with a 15-minute shuttle takes you from Corvara to Col Alto, where wide blue runs connect to La Villa and Colfosco. The ride between lifts takes only minutes, keeping your skill growing on gentle grades and minimizing crowds. In central Alta Badia, Corvara anchors a linked network that makes it easy to stay on smooth slopes all day.

Beyond skiing, immersion begins with Ladin cultures. A local guide can lead a walk through the towns of Corvara, Colfosco, and San Cassiano, sharing language basics, crafts, and history. The scenery surrounds you with jagged peaks, lined pistes, and panoramas that invite you to pause for views while your breathing falls into a steady rhythm. Pack a camera–theres plenty of unexpected charm around every corner.

The dining scene offers a flavor-rich slice of the region: Ladin dishes, hearty soups, dumplings, speck, and apple desserts crafted with mountain herbs. Evenings present a range of options from casual huts to refined restaurants, all reachable by short shuttle hops. Some hotels offer onsens-style pools to unwind, adding a soothing immersion after a day on the snow. If youd like, you can combine a relaxed dinner with a cozy fire and a spillover of conversations about local traditions.

Renting gear is straightforward in Corvara and La Villa, with central shops lined along the main streets. A beginner-friendly plan can include a patient guide who tailors a day to your pace and eases you onto the easier pistes first. Youd feel the momentum building as you gain confidence, with breaks for hot chocolate and time for a few extra runs if you enjoy yourself. Others appreciate a midday shuttle between towns to maximize slope time without fatigue.

For timing, consider the ending march daylight and warmer afternoons; theres time to mix slope sessions with strolls through picturesque towns lined with wood‑framed houses. The northern italy setting delivers scenery you’ll remember, and the overall vibe blends culture, flavor, and views into a memorable ski trip that feels approachable for all skill levels and leaves you ready for more adventures in the Dolomites.