Traditionally famous for sites of historical interest such as Rome, Florence and Venice, Italy is generally considered a country suitable for summer vacations. However, its mountainous regions provide some great snowmaking conditions during the winter months and consequently are home to a range of ski resorts with good terrain and facilities.
The charming resort of La Thuile is located high up in the Aosta Valley and offers slopes covering an area of around 90 miles. Set against a stunning backdrop, the resort is separated by a river, with the Planibel resort centre on one side and the forest and old mining town on the other. Most of the resort’s amenities are found at Planibel.
Meanwhile, Courmayeur ski resort is located on the Italian side of Mont Blanc and offers fantastic ski runs which include a single run of over 12 miles descending into the Chamonix region of France. The resort’s village is a charming affair offering cobbled streets lined with period buildings and a pedestrianised centre with some good restaurants and cafés.
Serious skiers might want to head to the resort of Piancavallo, located in the southern ranges of the eastern Alps, where many slopes are dedicated to advanced skiers. The resort also has runs for beginner and intermediate skiers and has previously been host to several World Cup skiing championships.
The most convenient airports for those choosing to fly to Italy are at Rome or Milan, while alternative entry points include Bologna, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Naples, Palermo and Venice. Italy has an extensive rail network which runs through some fantastic countryside, while buses can also be taken from a variety of European destinations.
Theft and risk of injury are aspects of holidaying that all travellers should take into consideration, especially those embarking on trips involving snow sports. We highly recommend that you take out an appropriate travel insurance policy before embarking on a skiing holiday to Italy.
