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 eight 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 area | Lift pass
6 days | Lunch
Main course, in mountain hut | Beer 0.5 L | Hotel 7 nights, 2 persons | Holiday apartment 7 nights, 2 persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Via Lattea | £229.81 | £15.17 | £5.20 | £1,225.47 | £1,057.51 |
| Sulden | £267.80 | £13.87 | £5.20 | £1,382.94 | £874.94 |
| Livigno | £290.45 | £13.01 | £5.20 | £1,634.30 | £1,460.63 |
| 3 Zinnen Dolomiten | £340.73 | £13.27 | £5.20 | £1,644.23 | £990.51 |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | £325.13 | £15.61 | £5.20 | £1,879.49 | £1,153.28 |
| Monterosa Ski | £323.39 | £13.87 | £5.20 | £2,407.86 | £957.17 |
| SkiArea Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta | £346.80 | £13.01 | £5.20 | £1,845.01 | £1,721.00 |
| Plan de Corones | £340.73 | £16.47 | £6.07 | £1,711.52 | £1,349.58 |
Overview: All ski resorts in Italy
1. Via Lattea Ski Resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £230
Kilometres of slopes: 400 km
Average price of lunch: ~£15
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 lift pass costs on average around £230, which is cheaper than in many other Italian Alpine destinations. And winter sports enthusiasts only have to spend an average of about £15 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.
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2. Sulden Ski Resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £268
Kilometres of slopes: 44 km
Average price for lunch: ~£14
The Sulden 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 await skiers and snowboarders here at altitudes of up to 3,250 metres, ensuring perfect skiing conditions well into spring. The lift infrastructure consists of 13 modern facilities that allow ski fans to get from A to B with ease, and with an average price for a 6-day lift pass just around £268, the value for your 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. 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.
3. Livigno Ski Resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £290
Kilometres of slopes: 115 km
Average price of lunch: ~£13
The Livigno ski resort offers skiers two major advantages: duty-free shopping and excellent value for money. With 115 kilometres of varied slopes and 31 lifts at an altitude of between 1,816 and 2,950 metres, it offers almost everything a winter sports enthusiast could wish for. In addition, the 6-day lift pass costs an average of approx. £290, which is quite reasonable for the size of the ski resort. And in the numerous mountain huts, lunch is available for a reasonable £13. The high valley around Livigno is generally very snow-sure throughout the season and the infrastructure is excellent. The ski area also offers wide sunny slopes and challenging runs, as well as one of the largest snow parks in the Alps.
4. 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £340
Kilometres of slopes: 116 km
Average price of lunch: ~£13
Skiers who also value scenic beauty on the slopes will find the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort the perfect destination! After all, the area is located in the middle of the breathtaking mountain world of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of the Dolomites. With 115 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes at altitudes of up to 2,200 metres, a diverse winter landscape awaits, accessible via 31 lifts and gondolas. A 6-day lift pass costs an average of £340 here, and the traditional mountain huts offer delicious South Tyrolean specialities for lunch at an affordable average price of £13. Overall, the ski resort is particularly family-friendly, with its wide, sunny slopes, a 5-kilometre-long snow tubing park and a spectacular race track with timekeeping.
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5. Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £325
Kilometres of slopes: 120 km
Average price of lunch: ~£16
Like some other ski resorts in Italy with affordable lift passes in this ranking, the sophisticated Cortina d’Ampezzo impresses with its stunning location in the heart of the Dolomites. On 120 kilometres of varied slopes at altitudes of up to 2,930 metres, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy first-class winter sports at moderate prices. The 6-day lift pass is fairly priced at an average of £325, while the upscale cuisine in the mountain huts remains surprisingly affordable, with an average lunch costing around £16. With 37 lifts, the legendary ‘Tofana’ World Cup downhill run and as part of the spectacular ‘Sella Ronda’ ski circuit, Cortina combines Italian flair with the highest quality slopes.
6. Monterosa Ski Resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £323
Kilometres of slopes: 205 km
Average price for lunch: ~£14
The impressive Monterosa Ski Resort stretches across three picturesque valleys at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif. With 180 kilometres of slopes between 1,212 and 3,275 metres above sea level and 44 modern lifts, all winter sports enthusiasts will find the right terrain for their skills here. The 6-day lift pass is attractively priced at an average of £323, while authentic Italian cuisine can be enjoyed at a particularly reasonable price in the cosy mountain huts, with lunch costing an average of £14. Ultimately, one of Italy’s largest ski resorts impresses with its extensive slopes, spectacular panorama and numerous opportunities for freeriding.
7. SkiArea Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta Ski Region
6-day lift pass: approx. £346
Kilometres of slopes: 150 km
Average price for lunch: ~£13
The Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta ski area is one of the largest ski areas in Trentino and boasts 150 kilometres of excellent slopes. At an altitude of up to 2,580 metres, 63 lifts provide access to the varied ski terrain against the impressive backdrop of the Brenta Dolomites. The average price of £346 for a 6-day lift pass is attractive for a ski resort of this size, while the traditional mountain cuisine is also attractively priced, with lunch costing just around £13. Skiers and snowboarders of all abilities will be impressed by the snow-sure ski region, which offers a balanced mix of easy to difficult slopes and numerous sunny panoramic runs.
8. Plan de Corones Ski Resort
6-day lift pass: approx. £340
Kilometres of slopes: 121 km
Average price for lunch: ~£16.50
Plan de Corones (German: Kronplatz) is a modern ski resort in the heart of South Tyrol with 119 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes at an altitude of up to 2,275 metres. 32 lifts ensure that transport up the mountain is as comfortable as possible. With a 6-day lift pass costing an average of £340 and lunch in the cosy mountain huts costing on average aroudn £16.50, winter sports enthusiasts will find Plan de Corones 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.
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:
- In the Pinzolo ski resort, part of the SkiArea Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta ski region, the cheapest 6-day lift pass in Italy is available for just £172. For this price, you can explore a total of 32 kilometres of family- and beginner-friendly slopes around Doss del Sabion.
- At Rittner Horn, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a cheap 6-day lift pass for £187 this season, with perfect snow conditions at up to 2,260 metres above sea level on 13 kilometres of compact slopes.
- Paganella offers a 6-day lift pass for £187, allowing winter sports enthusiasts to let off steam in the varied ski area and its 40 kilometres of slopes in Trentino with a view of Lake Garda.
- In Bardonecchia, the 6-day lift pass costs £189. In return, ski fans are rewarded with a whopping 100 kilometres of slopes and Olympic flair at an altitude of up to 2,694 metres, 90 kilometres west of Turin.
- The Val di Fiemme-Obereggen ski resort rounds off the range of affordable ski resorts in Italy with a 6-day lift pass for £200 and impresses with its 111 kilometres of slopes, located on the sunny southern slopes of Alpe Lusia or on Alpe Cermis above Cavalese.
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.
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.
FAQ’s about affordable ski resorts in Italy
How can winter sports enthusiasts make their ski holiday affordable?
Skiers can make their time in the mountains more affordable by first choosing one of the smaller, more budget-friendly ski resorts, for example in Italy, with fewer kilometres of slopes for a trip during the off-season. Lift pass prices are usually more moderate there. It also helps your wallet to book a holiday apartment instead of a hotel, preferably as a package deal, as the lift pass and often the rental equipment are already included in the package price. If you organise your accommodation separately, you can still save money if you book the rental equipment online in advance and opt for a multi-day lift pass instead of a day pass.
Do winter sports enthusiasts have to observe special rules on the slopes in Italy?
In addition to the unwritten rules of the slopes, which are common courtesy in every ski resort in the world, skiers and snowboarders in Italy must also observe actual extensive safety rules. Winter sports enthusiasts are now officially required to take out liability insurance in all ski resorts to cover damage to third parties on the slopes. In addition, skiing under the influence of alcohol is prohibited. Anyone caught drunk on the slopes faces heavy fines. The maximum permissible limit is 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood (0.05% BAC). A third measure to reduce the risk of injury in ski resorts is the mandatory wearing of helmets for all minors. This applies to skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing.
Why is skiing relatively expensive compared to other sports?
If you want to go skiing in Italy on a budget, there are a few cost factors to consider. First, ski equipment, including clothing and gear, is very expensive. And whether you buy it yourself or rent it, it costs money. The same goes for accommodation and travel, especially for winter sports enthusiasts who don’t live in the mountains. Last but not least, there is the lift pass, the price of which is set by the mountain lift companies. In order to operate economically, they have to pass on their expenses for energy, personnel and equipment to their customers on a pro rata basis. The same applies to costs incurred outside the season, such as those for new lifts and gondolas and other structural innovations. These are necessary for ski resort operators to remain competitive with other destinations and thus attractive to customers.
When is the cheapest time of day to ski?
Skier looking to experience untouched, perfectly groomed slopes and hardly any wait times at the gondola or lift should make their way to the valley station in the morning. Shortly after the daily lift operations begin, the crowds are still relatively small since many winter sports enthusiasts are still enjoying breakfast at the hotel or prefer to sleep in after a long après-ski night.
