Italy Beyond the Obvious

The best skiing in Italy

 

Ask virtually any serious Italian skier where the best place to ski in Italy is and they won't blink before recommending Cortina D'Ampezzo. With jaw-dropping views and 12 ski areas, there are 750 miles of downhill runs, 73 miles of cross-country ski runs, a snowboarding park and an Olympic Bobsled. And the town itself, surrounded on all sides by the gorgeous Dolomite mountains (photo, above), is fabulous for apres-ski and people-watching. I don't even know what more to say.

For rates & information on all 12 ski areas, ski rental, ski school, weather conditions, webcams and more, here's a useful website.

Summertime: the rock faces in the photo above are known for mountain climbing, and there is also plenty of hiking in the area, as well as other great things nearby to see and do.  

Photo of the 3 Cime di Lavaredo by Gianni Basaglia

 

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The Top 3 Ski Resorts Near Rome

Um, wait - ski resorts near Rome? You knew you could ski in the Alps or the Dolomites.. But yes, there are actually 26 ski resorts in the Appennine mountains not far from Rome, and they get plenty of snow as you can see from the photos below. Open from December through April, the resorts cater to all levels of downhill skier, snowboarders and cross-country skiers. And in the off season, lifts are open for hikers.  All 3 of the resorts below are about 2 hours from Rome and 1 hour from the Pescara airport.

1) Campo Imperatore, on the Gran Sasso mountain

Take the cable car up Gran Sasso (photo above), the area's highest mountain, to reach the ski resort of Campo Imperatore at 2,130 m (7,000 ft). This resort has over 20 km of runs and is ideal for intermediate skiers. It also has a ski park for snowboarders. 

Cost of an adult day pass is just €24. Kids under 11 years of age ski free.

Also Great For cross-country skiing and summer hiking. Cross-country skiers have a choice of trails starting near the base of the Fontari chairlift. In the summertime, hikers can take the cable car up to Campo Imperatore and then hike up to Gran Sasso's highest point, the Corno Grande, at 2912 m (over 9,000 ft). It's a 4-6 hour round trip and a strenuous hike.

2) Prati di Tivo

On the other side of the Gran Sasso mountain from Campo Imperatore, Prati di Tivo is a smaller resort with 6 lifts at an altitude of 1,450 m (4,700 ft). Here's a map of the runs and lifts, and here's the official website (in Italian only).

Cost of an adult day pass is just €22, though passes are also sold in 1, 2, and 3-hour increments.

Also great for cross-country skiing and hiking. Cross-country ski trails zig zag at the base of the lifts, and in the summer, hikers can enjoy the flowers, mountain scenery and birds on many trails.

3) Roccaraso

This huge resort has 110 km of ski runs, newer lifts, snow making machines, and is probably a better fit than the other two for skiers who prefer difficult runs. Here's a map of the runs and lifts.  Also a great spot for cross-country skiers.

Cost of a day pass at Roccaraso is €33 for adults and €28 for kids, but there's a family deal where the second child under age 10 is free.

View Ski Resorts Near Rome in a larger map

Photo of Gran Sasso by Gigi 62; Photo of Roccaraso by Bartolomeo Perrotta

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