 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. Cervinia offers great ski deals.
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.
There are also some great accommodation ski deals available, make sure you
search around.
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
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