EUROPEAN SKI HOLIDAYS

ITALY

Capital: Rome Currency: Euro Language: Italian

Time: GMT +1 Telephone Code: 00 39

Italy is located in Southern Europe. Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, beginning first in Tuscany and spreading   throughout Europe. The Renaissance, named so for the concept of re-birth, resurfaced classical ideas previously lost to Europe. Italy is the fourth most visited country and is famous for its sports cars, artists, leaning tower, and pasta; however, Italy has some lesser known points of interest as well.

A UNICEF report on child well being in 2007 reports Italy to be the best country for family relationships.

For all of the wonderful things that come out of Italy it is a rather small country being about the size of the State of Arizona in the United States.

Italians view of skiing is a more relaxed activity full of sun and social interactions. That said Italy’s ski resorts are laid back with great skiing and après ski.

People considering skiing often think about the infamous Matterhorn, but you are skiing in Italy not Switzerland; no worries, skiing at the Cervinia delivers.

Half of the Matterhorn lies in Italy and Cervinia ski resort is located right under it.

With over 60 miles of ski terrain Cervinia has a little something for everyone and has a ski season that runs from December to April. Cervinia has long open pistes that are ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers. At Cervinia you can ski a total of 57 runs with the majority being suited for intermediate skiers.

Limone, one of Italy’s oldest ski resorts, is located in Piemonte which was the site of the 2006 winter Olympics. The ski season at this resort is from December to April and offers Alpine and Nordic style skiing. Limone offers a few beginning and advanced runs and plenty of intermediate runs with the longest run being 2 miles long and the highest vertical drop of 3031 feet.

For an atmospheric ski location try the Courmayeur located on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. With half of its runs being suited for the intermediate skier it is a ski friendly resort full of beauty and fun. Courmayeur longest run is 6 miles long and the highest vertical drop is 5023 feet! Courmayeur offers a total of 100 acres of ski-able terrain.

Lift Information

Limone resort offers a total of 27 lifts with 1 quad chair, 6 double chairs and 20 surface lifts. Cervinia shares its lift passes with its sister resort located nearby allowing for more slopes and more fun! Cervinia offers a total of 24 ski lifts with 3 cable cars, 2 gondolas, 14 chair lifts and 3 draglifts plus 2 conveyors for beginners. Courmayeur offers a total of 22 lifts with 8 gondola & trams, 3 quad chairs, 5 double chairs and 6 surface lifts.

Types of Accommodation

Limone resort in Piemonte has a range of accommodations from apartments to luxury hotels that offer leisure activities. From budget apartments to small and cozy hotels or the loved Hermitage lodging in Cervania is easy. From the luxurious Hotel Pavillon serving the Courmayeur or a more intimate B&B such as Bouton d'Or or an apartment at Le Grand Chalet there are plenty of places to accommodate your stay in Courmayeur while you ski.

Best Ways to Get There

Piemonte offers plenty of public transportation in rails and bus services and if flying in the nearest airports are Nice and Turin. Driving is easy from either Geneva or Milan airports with busses that run from Milan to Cervania three times a day. Geneva and Milan airports are both about a two hour drive from Courmayeur and both offer car rentals. Train services connect Milan and Turin with Courmayeur as well.

Cross Country Skiing

Limone offers about 3 miles to the cross country skier, making it a bit more suited to the Apline skier. Cervinia offers a bit less than 2 miles of cross country ski trails. Courmayeur offers 3 different courses with 5 trails from a bit less than 2 miles long to over 12 miles long. The cross country ski season at Courmayeur runs from November to May.

Après Ski

Courmayeur is the place to be for apres ski with elegant bars such as Bar Roma or a more traditional bar such as the American Bar. That is not the only après ski activities in Courmayeur, there are also discos and restaurants and crackling fires to warm you up after a long day on the slopes. Limone offers restaurants and bars for apres ski. Apr ès ski in Limone is quiet making it the place to go for a relaxed holiday; however, there are several nearby towns that one can easily travel to for a bit more lively nightlife. Cervania après ski offers a few bars and clubs as well as restaurants.

Ski Resorts in Italy

Alleghe
Arabba/Marmolada
Bardonecchia
Bormio
Champoluc
Claviere
Cortina
Corvara/Colfosco
Courmayeur
Gressoney
La Thuile
Livigno
Macugnaga
Madonna di Campiglio
Ortisei/St Ulrich
Passo Tonale
Predazzo
Santa Caterina
Sauze D Oulx
Selva
Sestriere
Val Di Fassa
Val di Fassa - Canazei