Can people still experience the famous Dolce Vita in Italy during the cold season? The answer is a resounding yes! Hardly any other country in the high mountains offers skiers as many hours of sunshine as Italy. And winter sports enthusiasts don’t have to dig deep into their pockets to enjoy the slopes – for example, against the backdrop of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After all, there are also affordable ski resorts on the southern side of the Alps with many fantastic and famous slopes. SnowTrex presents below the top five most affordable ski resorts and also reveals some insider tips for your next winter holiday in Italy.
Overview of affordable ski resorts in Italy
| Ski resort | Lift pass
6 days | Lunch
Main course, in mountain hut | Beer 0.5 L | Holiday apartment 7 nights, 2 persons | Hotel 7 nights, 2 persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski area Sulden am Ortler | 320 euros | 14,30 euros | 6,20 euros | 1.030 euros | 1.610 euros |
| Ski area Via Lattea | 307 euros | 16,00 euros | 7,50 euros | 1.210 euros | 1.460 euros |
| Ski area 3 Zinnen Dolomiten | 404 euros | 15,50 euros | 7,10 euros | 1.180 euros | 1.930 euros |
| Ski area Plan de Corones | 404 euros | 17,10 euros | 5,60 euros | 1.600 euros | 2.000 euros |
| Ski area Livigno | 362 euros | 18,30 euros | 6,30 euros | 1.740 euros | 1.890 euros |
Overview: All ski resorts in Italy
1. Ski area Sulden am Ortler
- 6-day lift pass: 320 euros
- Kilometres of slopes: 44 km
- Average price for lunch: 14,30 euros
The Sulden am Ortler ski resort is located in the heart of South Tyrol, surrounded by many impressive three-thousand-metre peaks. A total of 44 well-groomed slopes at altitudes of up to 3,250 metres await skiers and snowboarders here, ensuring perfect skiing conditions well into spring. The lift infrastructure consists of 11 modern facilities that allow ski fans to get from A to B with ease, and with an average price for a 6-day ski pass of over 320 euros, the value for money is also excellent. And in the cosy mountain huts and restaurants, you can enjoy traditional South Tyrolean cuisine, with lunch costing an average of 14.30 euros. Overall, this snow-sure ski resort has something for everyone, from wide carving slopes and challenging descents to the longest floodlit night slope in South Tyrol.
→ Discover Sulden am Ortler offers at SnowTrex now
2. Ski area Via Lattea
- 6-day lift pass: 307 euros
- Kilometres of slopes: 400 km
- Average price of lunch: 16 euros
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The Via Lattea ski resort is located on the Italian-French border, where 400 kilometres of slopes and 70 modern lifts and gondolas await. The Italian part of the ski resort around Sestriere is the heart of the resort and offers excellent value for money. A 6-day ski pass costs an average of 307 euros, which is cheaper than in many other Italian Alpine destinations. And winter sports enthusiasts only have to spend an average of 16 euros for lunch in the mountain restaurants. One of the most affordable ski resorts in Italy, it extends up to an altitude of 2,823 metres and offers the right terrain for every skier, from challenging World Cup slopes to relaxed leisurely runs.
→ Plan your Alpine getaway and find the best Via Lattea deals at SnowTrex
3. 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort
- 6-day lift pass: 404 euros
- Kilometres of slopes: 116 km
- Average price of lunch: 15,50 euros
Skiers who also value scenic beauty on the slopes will find the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski area to be the ideal destination. After all, the area is located in the midst of the breathtaking mountain world of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 116 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes at altitudes of up to 2,200 metres, a diverse winter landscape awaits, accessible via 39 lifts and gondolas. A 6-day ski pass costs an average of 404 euros here, and the traditional mountain huts serve delicious South Tyrolean specialities for lunch at an affordable average price of 15.50 euros. Overall, the ski resort is particularly family-friendly, with its wide, sunny slopes, a 5 km long snow tubing park and a spectacular race track with timekeeping.
→ Secure unforgettable skiing moments in the Dolomites region of 3 Zinnen with SnowTrex now
4. Ski area Plan de Corones
- 6-day lift pass: 404 euros
- Kilometres of slopes: 121 km
- Average price for lunch: 17,10 euros
The Kronplatz ski resort is a modern ski resort in the heart of South Tyrol with 121 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes at an altitude of up to 2,275 metres. 31 lifts ensure that transport up the mountain is as comfortable as possible. With a 6-day ski pass costing an average of 404 euros and lunch in the cosy mountain huts costing an average of 17,10 euros, winter sports enthusiasts will find Kronplatz offers excellent value for money. The snow-sure ski area impresses with its wide slopes, which are ideal for sun skiing in South Tyrol, as well as other highlights such as viewing platforms and the Messner Mountain Museum.
→ Plan your Alpine getaway and find the best Kronplatz deals at SnowTrex
5. Ski area Livigno
- 6-day lift pass: 362 euros
- Kilometres of slopes: 115 km
- Average price of lunch: 18,30 euros
The Livigno ski resort offers skiers two major advantages: duty-free shopping and excellent value for money. With 115 kilometres of varied slopes and 32 lifts at an altitude of between 1,816 and 2,950 metres, it has almost everything a winter sports enthusiast could wish for. In addition, a 6-day ski pass costs an average of 362 euros, which is quite reasonable for the size of the ski resort. And in the numerous mountain huts, lunch is available for a reasonable 18.30 euros. The high valley around Livigno is generally very snow-sure throughout the season and the infrastructure is excellent. The ski resort also offers wide sunny slopes and challenging runs, as well as one of the largest snow parks in the Alps.
→ Discover Livigno offers at SnowTrex now
Additional helpful insider tips from SnowTrex
In addition to the ski resorts presented here, SnowTrex has even more insider tips on where to find particularly affordable lift passes:
- The Rittner Horn ski resort offers an affordable 6-day ski pass for 223 euros, which skiers and snowboarders can use to enjoy perfect snow conditions on 13 compact kilometres of slopes at an altitude of up to 2,260 metres.
- In the Pinzolo ski resort, itself part of the SkiArea Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta ski region, the cheapest 6-day ski pass in Italy is available for just 244.20 euros. This price allows you to explore a total of 32 kilometres of family- and beginner-friendly slopes around Doss del Sabion.
- The Paganella ski resort offers a 6-day ski pass for 276 euros in its online shop, allowing winter sports enthusiasts to let off steam in the varied ski resort and its 40 kilometres of slopes in Trentino with a view of Lake Garda.
Rules of conduct on ski slopes in Italy
In order to increase safety on the ski slopes in Italy, strict rules apply to winter sports enthusiasts on all slopes. Skiers and snowboarders must take out liability insurance covering damage to third parties if they want to use the slopes in the ski resorts. The insurance can also be taken out on site for individual days. In addition, skiing under the influence of alcohol is prohibited, and winter sports enthusiasts caught drunk on the slopes face heavy fines. The maximum permissible limit is 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood (0.05% BAC). To further reduce the risk of injury, the safety rules also stipulate that everyone on the slopes must wear a helmet when skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing.
The complete evaluation and information on data collection can be found in the comprehensive SnowTrex ranking of the 50 best ski resorts in the Alps.
FAQ’s about affordable ski resorts in Italy
Which ski resort in Italy is affordable?
Several Italian ski resorts offer attractive value for money. Sulden am Ortler (6-day ski pass: 320 euros) and Via Lattea (307 euros) are particularly affordable. Despite their low prices, they offer modern lifts, varied slopes and excellent snow conditions. Livigno (362 euros) is also considered an affordable choice: here, guests can also benefit from duty-free shopping.
Which ski resorts in Italy guarantee snow conditions at fair prices?
Sulden am Ortler is particularly snow-sure and attractively priced, with slopes up to 3,250 m and a 6-day ski pass for around 320 euros. The same applies to Livigno, with its high valley slopes up to 2,950 m and a ski pass for around 362 euros.
Where can winter sports enthusiasts eat lunch at affordable prices in Italian ski lodges?
In many Italian ski resorts, restaurant prices are surprisingly moderate. Winter sports enthusiasts can eat particularly cheaply in the Sulden am Ortler ski resort, where lunch costs an average of only 14.30 euros. The huts in the 3 Zinnen area in the Dolomites are also inexpensive (15.50 euros). Guests can also enjoy traditional Italian cuisine at fair prices in Via Lattea (16 euros) and Kronplatz (17.10 euros). The wide selection ranges from South Tyrolean specialities to homemade pasta.
Which affordable ski resorts in Italy are particularly suitable for families?
Family-friendly ski resorts in Italy impress with suitable slopes, good infrastructure and fair prices. In the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski resort, for example, a 6-day ski pass is available for around 404 euros, allowing winter sports enthusiasts to let off steam on wide, sunny slopes, in a 5 km long snow tubing park and on a timed race track for children. Kronplatz in South Tyrol also scores highly with its wide beginner slopes, modern lift infrastructure and family-friendly facilities. A 6-day ski pass here also costs around 404 euros. With a ski pass costing around 362 euros, Livigno is ideal for children and beginners thanks to its high snow reliability, gentle sunny slopes and easily accessible lifts.
Do winter sports enthusiasts have to follow special rules on the slopes in Italy?
In addition to the unwritten rules of the slopes, which are common sense in every ski resort around the world, skiers and snowboarders in Italy must observe extensive safety rules. For example, winter sports enthusiasts in all ski resorts are officially required to take out liability insurance that covers damage to third parties on the slopes. In addition, skiing under the influence of alcohol is prohibited. Anyone caught drunk on the slopes will face heavy fines. The maximum permissible limit is 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood. Another measure to reduce the risk of injury in ski resorts is the mandatory wearing of helmets for everyone. This applies to skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing.
