Where to Go Snowboarding & Skiing in Italy

Ravascletto/Zoncolan

• Best for those looking for a budget-friendly ski destination in Italy
• 23 km of slopes (14 miles)

This is the ski resort that I know best. It's the best resort closest to where I live in Trieste so when we don't want to go too far, this is the destination we choose.

Ravascletto is the name of the small town where you'll likely stay and where you can catch the main cable car up the mountain. Monte Zoncolan is the name of the mountain itself.

This mountain isn't quite part of the Dolomites but is really close and still nestled in a beautiful area in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Because of that distinction, skiing here is much more affordable, with lift tickets about half the price as they are in the Dolomites.

There are a decent amount of runs here, mainly catered to reds, with some blues and blacks sprinkled in. For a smaller resort, there are still plenty of runs and lodges to grab a bite to each. A few usually have a DJ playing for a calm but enjoyable après-ski experience.

The town of Ravascletto is really sleepy and doesn't have a true town center like most towns in Italy do. You'll want to spend all your energy on the slopes and just use Ravascletto for rest.

Where to Stay to Go Skiing on Zoncolan

In order to comfortably take on the slopes on Monte Zoncolan, I recommend staying as close to either the slopes or the cable car as possible. It’s possible to also make the day trip from Trieste but to enjoy more time on the slopes, stay the night.

I’d recommend staying at:

• Albergo Diffuso Ravascletto: We booked a long weekend here and loved it. You will need to drive to the cable car but the house is quiet, cozy, and pet-friendly.
• Dolomiti Village: This is where we stayed on our second time to Zoncolan. We enjoyed the cozy cabin and the sauna. It’s a bit out of town but they have a great restaurant for nights in.‍
• Hotel Enzo Moro: I haven’t stayed here yet but if you want to sleep on the slopes, this is the hotel for you. You’ll be just steps from where the above picture was snapped.

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Tarvisio/Lussari

• Best for those that are chasing unique scenery that you won't find anywhere else
• 24 km of slopes (15 miles)
• 40 km of cross-country skiing (24 miles)

Tarvisio is the small town that sits at the base of Monte Lussari. You'll catch the cable car in Tarvisio in order to ski or snowboard the runs on Lussari.

Just like Zoncolan, Lussari is in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It's not part of the Dolomites but does sit on the border of both Slovenia and Austria, making not just the views but the culture of the area very unique.

If you've ever said to yourself, "I'd like to be inside a snow globe," Lussari is what you're looking for.

While most ski resorts have a lodge or two at the top of the mountain to grab a bite to eat or a drink, Lussari has an entire village up there. The village is small but actually pretty jammed-pack with restaurants, bars, and even shops for souvenirs.

The resort itself is relatively small and steep. The runs here are ideal for those looking to gain a lot of speed. It's also not a great place for snowboarders since you have to cut through the narrow lanes of the town to get between the slopes.

It's not too far of a drive from Zoncolan though so if you wanted to make the trip for yourself from there, I'd recommend it. You can either try out the slopes or just take the cable car and enjoy the views of the village. If you visit on a weekend and want to eat lunch at one of the restaurants, I recommend making a reservation.

Where to Stay to Go Skiing on Lussari

We didn’t stay in Tarvisio and instead spent the day here on our way back to Trieste from Ravascletto. If you want more time though, you’ll prefer staying the night. My Tarvisio Home is modern, clean, and centrally located for a great overnight stay.

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Cortina d'Ampezzo

• Best for those that want a high-end and well-known destination
• 120 km of slopes (75 miles)
• Host of the 2026 Winter Olympics

This is easily one of the most famous places to go snowboarding or skiing in Italy. Cortina is right in the heart of the Dolomites in Belluno and is part of the Dolomiti Superski Area. That means that all the slopes in this area are all interconnected.

It's incredibly fun because that lift ticket gives you so much variety but if it's your first time in the area, know that it can be confusing to know which split to take. You'll want to grab a map and consult it often to be on the safe side.

Because of this, you can find all types of slopes here from blues to blacks and everything in between.

The Dolomiti Superski Pass in the 2023/2024 season was €80, which is a lot more than the €40 a day in Zoncolan. That said, you do gain a lot more variety and even though Zoncolan is still scenic, nothing compares to the beautiful scenery the Dolomites offer. It is possible to buy lift tickets to only ski in Cortina but I'm not sure about the price difference since we opted for the full pass.

Cortina is much more high-end than other destinations on this list. There weren't many snowboarders here and it felt more like the land of expert skiers (or at least skiers that wanted to look like experts). Personally, it wasn't our style but if you're seeking one of the nicest ski resorts in Italy, you'll love it here.

To hit the slopes here, you'll want to take the cable car "Tofana" from just north of the center of town in Cortina d'Ampezzo. This will take you right to the heart of the action, where you can choose to stay and ride the runs in and around Cortina or venture off to other areas of the Dolomites.

Compared to Ravascletto and Tarvisio, Cortina is a much more lively town. I highly recommend you save up some energy on at least one of your evenings to stroll along town and treat yourself to a nice meal.

Where to Stay to Go Skiing in Cortina

When we visited Cortina, we decided to stay outside of the town. This was mainly due to price but also because we were traveling with our pets and wanted a quiet place for them. We chose Villa a Borca di Cadore and loved our stay. The drive to the main gondola and the one I’ll mention below was short and sweet from here.

There are a plethora of rental homes and hotels to choose from within Cortina if you prefer.

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Cinque Torri/Super8 Circuit

• Best for those that prefer trail runs to steep slopes
• 16 km + an 8 km long stretch connecting the circuit (10/5 miles respectively)
• Average finish time of the circuit is 3 hours (without stops)

Cinque Torri is the name of a mountain in the Dolomiti Superski Area thanks to its unique formation that looks like 5 towers (the name in Italian). It's also in the Belluno province.

Out of all the ski resorts on this list, if I had to pick a favorite, I'd pick this one.

Cinque Torri is accessible from Cortina d'Ampezzo on the "Cortina Skyline" cable car near Pocol, Italy. The ride takes about 20 minutes and you'll be dropped at the base of Cinque Torri, where you'll need to take the lift to the top of the runs.

While it can take some extra time to get to, personally I think the added effort is worth it. From the top, you'll have a few "regular" runs or you can hop on the Super8 Circuit and do a small but diverse tour of the area.

Many of the slopes on this circuit are more trail-like and with the exception of one, you won't have the chance to get in a good downhill run. Since I prefer trail runs, I really enjoyed it out here. As a snowboarder though, it can be tough to know when you need to gain a lot of speed or not and I did have to unhook my back leg a few times to skate.

I think because of this, it's not as popular as a ski resort so if you'd like to try it out, it will be more up to you what you look for in the perfect run.

Where to Stay to Go Skiing at Cinque Torri

There aren’t many places to stay right at Cinque Torri. We spent 2 days snowboarding here from the rental I suggested above in Cortina. If you prefer to stay right next to the Cortina Skyline cable car, Ciasa Vervei is a great choice. There are other slopes just outside it’s door you can enjoy, too.

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Sellaronda Circuit

• Best for those looking for a challenge alongside incredible views
• 40 km, 24 of which are covered by lifts (24/15 miles respectively)
• Average finish time is 6 hours (with stops)

The Sellaronda Circuit is the most famous circuit in all of Italy. Full disclosure: I haven't yet done this circuit but am hoping to this year. The information here isn't based on personal experience but from friends and research.

Although it's really close to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Sellaronda Circuit is in the South Tyrol province.

The Sellaronda takes you around the heart of the Dolomites and part of the Dolomiti Superski Area. Like the Super8, it means you can do a full tour, starting and stopping in the same location, without doing the same run twice.

You can start at any of the towns on the circuit, giving you a lot of freedom and meaning not all skiers doing the loop are on the exact same schedule. The 5 villages with direct access to the circuit are:

• Arabba
• Canazei
• Selva
• Corvara
• Colfosco

You can choose to do the circuit either clockwise (green) or counterclockwise (orange). Most consider the green circuit slightly easier but both are more suited to at least intermediate skiers and boarders. Most people take 6 hours to complete the loop, including stops for lunch and a coffee.

I've been in this area in the summer, staying in San Cassiano, and can say with full confidence that it's one of the most impressive mountain landscapes you can get. The area around Val Gardena is incredible and I really can't wait to see it in the snow instead of wildflowers.

Where to Stay to Go Skiing on the Sellaronda

Staying right in one of the 5 towns mentioned above can be costly, especially in peak ski season and for a decent place. If you have the budget, go for it, but if not, know that you can stay anywhere within a short drive away. Cesa Planber Apartments would be my top choice in Canazei and is ski-in/ski-out.

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Best Time to Go Skiing in Italy

The only time you can go skiing in Italy is during the winter and early spring. The best months for skiing are December, January, February, and March. Some years you can ski into April but that'll really depend on the weather that year.

The best bet for fresh snow when planning your trip is to come in January and February.

I've actually been asked a few times, "Does it snow in Italy?" And the answer is a big, resounding yes! Just keep in mind that most snow is only in the mountains of Northern Italy, with the exception of the mountain range in Abruzzo and all the way south in Sicily.

If you want to go hiking or mountain biking in the Dolomites, check out when the best time to visit is for you.

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Where Will You Go Skiing in Italy?

When we were planning our first snowboard trip in Italy, I really stressed on picking the best spot for our winter getaway. I thought there would be a big difference between resorts and only a few would be great.

I was wrong.

After spending a lot more time in the Dolomites in all seasons, I can say with confidence that the entire area is pristine. You'll enjoy some of the best views of your life at an affordable price and on a variety of slopes.

Choose your ski holiday based on accommodation, ease of access, and your experience level and the rest will fall into place. When in doubt, head to the Dolomiti Superski Area and you'll be able to ski down a different slope every day of your vacation.