Italy Ski Holidays

Cervinia is a superb choice for groups of skiers and boarders seeking a snow-sure resort that suits beginners and intermediates – and isn’t in France. It has the added benefit of convenient ski access from the chalets.

This high-altitude resort is in the Matterhorn Ski Paradise ski area, and has direct access to Zermatt and Valtouneche. The skiing in Cervinia is the opposite of the skiing in Zermatt. It offers a wide range of flattering blue and red pistes to suit beginners and intermediates. For experts there’s easy access to Zermatt, so there’s something for all abilities. Cervinia also has a far superior snow-park to Zermatt!

The resort has a compact but lively centre with a wide range of cafes and bars. Whilst it doesn’t have the sheer number as over the valley in Zermatt, there are some lively après-ski bars on the main snow front and some wonderful Italian eateries too.

Many skiers are looking to Italy as an alternative to the main choices of Austria and France. Not only is the skiing very good but the relative expense of eating and drinking in all but the glitziest resorts is comparatively cheaper.

The resort of Champoluc is part of the Monterosa ski area. It’s relatively small, but in terms of skiing quality not quantity is the order of the day here. Not only are there plenty of vertical drops, but the off piste is simply breath-taking – and it’s quiet, too. Catch this area on a powder day and it is amongst the very best in Europe. There’s also more than enough skiing here to keep beginners and intermediates happy, including a good selection of blues and reds.

Champoluc itself is on the quiet side. Treat it as a nice, rustic base from which to explore some amazing ski terrain.

Part of the Super Dolomiti, Selva offers an incredible ski area and the stunning scenery of the Dolomites, which are very different to the Alps. The highlights come and dawn and dusk when they take on a unique pink hue. Catch them on the right day and you’ll see why the Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The resort is an attractive, traditional Tirolean village. Somewhat sprawling, it has a small collection of shops and bars rather than one main centre. Exploring the village on arrival is therefore more important here than other resorts. Selva is quite lively and offers enough bars to keep all but the most hard-core après-skiers happy for the week.

The skiing is extensive and best suits beginners to intermediates. You’ll see and hear the words “Sella Ronda” a lot; this is the biggest ski route in the Dolomites and Selva is one of the main destinations.