Winter Tourism in Italy

In Italy there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a winter holiday on the snow.

Along the Alpine range you will come across some of the top-end ski slopes in the world, glamorous ski resorts, high-end hotels and spa facilities, gourmet lodges and every type of outdoor activity for all ages. Throughout each season, these mountain retreats also invite visitors to experience a wide array of cultural and outdoor activities: skiing, snowboarding, trekking, Nordic walking and mountain biking. You can find excellent facilities for ice skating, swimming, tennis, horse riding… the list just goes on!

The Alps are the highest and most fascinating mountains in Europe, separating Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Almost all of the sunny southern slopes are in Italian territory. The highest peaks include Monte Bianco, Monte Rosa, the Cervino, and the Grand Paradiso. They are all located in the Aosta Valley which is unique for its mountain climbing facilities and winter sports centres. Among the most famous localities are Cervinia and Courmayeur. The Aosta Valley has magnificent natural scenery, poetic traditions, monuments and castles.

To the east between the valleys of the Adige and the Piave rivers lie the Dolomites – the most fantastic and spectacular of the entire Alpine range. The main groups include the Pale di San Martino, the Latemar, the Catinaccio, the Sassolungo, the Sella, and the Marmolada. This area is an immense park of great natural beauty. Famous resorts include Merano, Madonna di Campiglio, La Mendola, Canazei, Ortisei, San Martino di Castrozza and Cortina d’Ampezzo which can be found in the valleys, on the gentle uplands and beside Alpine lakes. Thanks to modern transport facilities, cable cars and chair lifts, visitors can reach the highest and most celebrated lookout points with ease.

The Apennines Run from the hills of Cadibona (near Savona) down into Calabria. They reach their highest point in the Gran Sasso, forming a magnificent winter sports area. This mountain chain counts a range of high tops, like Monte Amiata in Tuscany, Terminillo in Lazio, Gran Sasso and Maiella in Abruzzo, Monte Faito between Naples and Salerno, Monte Serino and Monte Pollino in Basilicata.

In 2026, Italy will host the XXV Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. When the Games open, Milan, known as one of the most dynamic cities in Europe, will play host to figure skating, ice hockey, and short track speed skating, while co-host Cortina d’Ampezzo will be home to women’s alpine skiing, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, and curling.

Other Italian regions also offer hidden gems and plenty of winter fun high up in the mountains. 15 ski resorts and 300 kms of slopes in the mountains of Emilia-Romagna await winter sports enthusiasts. To the north of Calabria is the Pollino National Park, Italy’s largest nature reserve area, symbolized by the Pino Loricato. If you are visiting Campania, and dream of a winter mountain break, the Regional Park of Mount Matese and the Regional Park of Picentini Mountains offers snowshoeing and relaxing winter hikes. A snow-covered Sardinia offers a magical atmosphere thanks to villages surrounded by superb natural settings between one snowshoe run and another. In Sicily you can ski on Mt Etna from the first snowfall in December and often until May, although the best months are generally February, March and April.

An Italian winter snow adventure has many advantages; from the food, to the culture, to the excellent facilities not to be missed.