6 Reasons to Ski or Snowboard in Italy

From one of the world’s biggest ski areas incorporating the Dolomites to the proximity of Switzerland & Austria it’s no wonder Italy is becoming one of the most popular places to take a snow holiday. On a recent trip to Cervinia in April a 32cm dumping of fresh powder was followed by 5 days of uninterrupted glorious sunshine. Italy boasts some of the finest ski schools for those who have never taken to the slopes before whilst still boasting challenging black runs for the more daring. During our trip in April, we even travelled over the border into Switzerland on the same lift pass!

From Rocky outcrops to snow dusted pine trees, the scenery in Italy is second to none. Whilst on my trip to Cervinia I snowboarded beneath the mighty Matterhorn, famous for its appearance on the Toblerone packet. Being surrounded by nature & these beautiful mountains really give you a sense of freedom and escapism, with the views from the top simply breathtaking. Another great point is that the slopes are quiet compared to its neighbouring countries which make it all the more attractive as you traverse down wide open pistes with trees surrounding you on either side making for the perfect snowboarding experience.

A lot of ski resorts throughout Europe can be quite ugly with huge apartments blocks built there for convenience, however many of Italy’s resorts still retain their charm and character. Small villages filled with cobbled winding streets, pretty Italian buildings and a church spire to top it off……… After a day on the slopes, wandering around one of these pretty villages is an evening well spent.

Everyone knows that Italy is famous for its delicious food and the ski resorts here are no different. The streets are filled with people outside small cafes with blankets on their laps sipping on the latest coffee trend. In the evening there are small cosy restaurants with log fires to entice you in and once inside you’ll be delighted by authentic Italian cuisine as well as dishes from across the globe. I visited a restaurant called Jour et Nuit in Cervinia which served a mouth-watering fillet steak cooked to perfection accompanied with dauphinoise potatoes smothered in cheese. Teamed with a carefully selected red wine produced locally in the region, this was the best meal I have ever had!

Compared to Switzerland, France & Austria, Italy boasts fantastic value for money. The holiday itself usually works out much lower in cost and this includes cheaper lift passes,  tuition & equipment hire. We stayed in a chalet which included a 4-course evening meal plus unlimited red, white or rose wine which was excellent value. Eating out in your resort & in the mountain restaurants also proved to be excellent value for money compared to well-known resorts in France.

Italians are known for their friendly manner and charm. Everyone we spoke to from our chalet hosts, waiting staff in bars through to the guys operating the lifts welcomed us with open arms. A family we spoke to told us how great the ski teachers were with their kids, making everything fun as well as teaching them how to ski. Sometimes, the people and service can make a huge impression of a place and we were more than happy with every person we encountered.