Skiing in Italy
About Italy
Skiing in Italy: large and diverse ski areas
Northern Italy is bursting with beautiful ski resorts and is the perfect destination for a winter getaway. In the immense Dolomiti Superski ski area, the largest ski area in the world, you can access no fewer than twelve ski resorts with just one ski pass. If you book a holiday package to one of those resorts through Sunweb, your ski pass for the whole area will be included! You will then have access to over 1200 kilometres of slopes and 450 ski lifts. The cherry on top is the breathtaking, mountainous landscape of the Dolomites, a stunning playground for skiers of all skill levels.
Breuil-Cervinia (or Le Breuil) is a smaller ski area, but it has still won the hearts of many travellers. At 2050m altitude, it is one of the highest ski resorts in Europe, leading to excellent snow conditions from December up until April each year. It has hosted events in both the Alpine Ski World Cup and the Snowboard Cross World Cup and features a beautiful cross-country ski trail. Breuil-Cervinia is also a great place to hone your ski mountaineering skills, with stunning views of the Matterhorn. It even hosts the prestigious and historic Mezzalama Trophy competition, the highest ski mountaineering contest. You can also ski in Breuil-Cervinia in summer, thanks to the Plateau Rosa glacier.
Accommodation to suit every trip
A ski holiday to Italy is one hundred percent enjoyment. Whether you are travelling with a group of friends, colleagues, family, solo or with a partner, you will be sure to find the accommodation for you with Sunweb. Looking for somewhere just a stone's throw away from the ski lift, right by the slopes, or in the middle of a bustling village? No problem! What about an all-inclusive hotel with an extensive spa, a swimming pool, and authentic Italian cuisine? Or book a private chalet as a cosy retreat from the snow, with plenty of space to cook and spend quality time with your travel companions. With Sunweb’s wide selection to choose from, finding your dream accommodation in Italy will be a breeze.
Winter activities in Italy
Thanks to its high altitude and many glaciers, snow is guaranteed throughout several ski areas in Italy. That gives you the opportunity to enjoy an array of fun winter activities on top of skiing during your trip. Make unforgettable memories with a day of tobogganing, ice skating, winter hiking, or snowmobiling. Take a quad bike through the snow in Sauze d’Oulx or visit Fenestrelle Fort from the nearby Sestriere. Sestriere is also where part of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games was held, and you can still see today’s world-class athletes racing down its Olympic slopes.
Of course, Italy also has no shortage of delicious food to try. Polenta, pizza, pasta, risotto… the list is endless (and mouthwatering). Don’t forget to fuel up before joining the après-ski fun and dancing until the sun comes up!
Popular accommodations
Ski areas
Other ski areas
Practical information
Capital:
The capital is Rome.
Language:
The official language is Italian.
Time:
There is a time difference of +1hour.
Currencies:
The official currency in Italy is the euro.
Voltage:
The voltage is 230 volts.
Travel documents:
You must be in possession of a valid passport or valid proof of identity.
Talk on the phone:
A British mobile phone also works in Italy. To call to Italy from the UK, first dial the country code 0039 and then the area code without zero and then the subscriber number. The country code 0044 is from Italy to the UK.
Emergency number:
The national emergency number is 112.
Traveling by car:
The national roads are well passable. Pas Piccolo San Bernardo is closed throughout the winter season (November to June).
Keep in mind that the highways require a toll. If you travel via the Austrian motorways, you must be in possession of a toll sticker. For some motorways, tunnels and roads in Austria there is no vignette requirement, but a separate toll must be paid, such as the A13 from Innsbruck-Süd to the Italian border.
There is no general obligation in Italy for winter tyres. Winter equipment (chains or winter tyres) may be mandatory on mountain roads. This is indicated with a traffic sign. Not using winter tires in winter conditions can lead to (joint) liability in the event of accidents and also have criminal consequences. In Austria and Germany, winter tires are required in winter conditions.
In case of breakdown or an accident, it is mandatory that all road users wear a reflective vest.
If you travel via France:
Please note: in some cities it is mandatory to have an environmental sticker from 1 July 2017. If you drive over the Paris ring road, the Boulevard Périphérique, you will also need an environmental sticker in many cases. The vignette can not be obtained along the way, but can only be ordered online. The French police advise to print out the application form and the confirmation and to take it with you if the vignette is not delivered in time by post. The order form can be found on this website: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/demande-ext/cgu
Future environmental zones can be found on this website: http://en.france.fr/nl/tips/milieuzones-france-ecovignet-credit
Food and drink:
Italy is known for pizzas, pastas and risottos. It is not recommended to drink tap water.
Tips:
It is customary in Italy to give a tip of around 10% in bars, restaurants and hotels.
Opening hours:
In general, the shops are closed between 13.00 and 16.00. This is the siesta. After 16.00 hours the shops will open again until about 19.00 hours.
Safety:
In Italy, a ski helmet is mandatory for children up to and including 14 years of age. A ski helmet is recommended for adults. In a ski class, wearing a helmet is often required.
Swimming pool
In Italy you are generally required to wear a swimming cap in swimming pools. This is for both public swimming pools and swimming pools that belong to hotels.