Ski resorts with high-altitude pistes are characterised by two things in particular: Guaranteed snow and great panoramas. Perfect, that’s where we want to go! That’s why SnowTrex is showing you the ten highest ski resorts in Italy today.
The 10 highest ski resorts in Italy at a glance
| Ski area/ski region | Highest point |
|---|---|
| Matterhorn ski paradise | 3.899 m |
| Courmayeur | 3.466 m |
| Stelvio Pass | 3.450 m |
| Arabba-Marmolada | 3.265 m |
| Monterosa Ski | 3.260 m |
| Sulden | 3.250 m |
| Schnalstaler Gletscher | 3.212 m |
| Adamello Ski | 3.016 m |
| Bormio | 3.012 m |
| Pejo | 3.000 m |
Overview: All ski resorts in Italy
1. Ski region Matterhorn ski paradise: 3,899 metres
Zermatt in Italy? Something’s not quite right. The famous village of Zermatt on the Matterhorn may be on Swiss soil, but the ski area extends to below the summit of Monte Cervino, as the Matterhorn is called in Italian, and beyond that to Italian soil. The famous mountain marks the border with Italy and so the large ski area between Zermatt, Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche is also the highest ski area in Switzerland and Italy. The huge area known as the Matterhorn ski paradise offers 322 kilometres of pistes across the national border. The highest point is at the Theodul Glacier, where Europe’s highest drag lift ascends to 3,899 metres.
2. Courmayeur ski area: 3,466 metres
The Courmayeur ski resort on Monte Bianco – the Italian name for the famous Mont Blanc – is the second-highest ski resort in Italy with the highest point at 3,466 metres. And again, it is a ski resort that is located on a French mountain and yet is attributed to the Italians via the natural pass border. The descents on Mont Blanc are all off-piste runs over glaciers and through couloirs, which are reserved for freeride professionals. The slopes are accessed by an 80-person cable car that ascends to Punta Helbronner. From there, you can take a gondola to the neighbouring Aiguille du Midi, the highest ski area in France.
3. Stelvio Pass ski area: 3,450 metres
At 2,757 metres, the Stelvio Pass in Alta Valtellina is the highest mountain pass in Italy and the centre of the Stelvio National Park. There is a small ski area on the slopes of the Ebenferner, which is not accessible in winter. The Stelvio Pass is therefore a summer-only ski area. The total of 9 kilometres of pistes, most of which are blue, reach up to 3,450 m and are therefore only a few metres lower than the freeride routes on Mont Blanc.
4. Malga Ciapela ski area: 3,265 metres
One of the most famous mountain ranges in the Italian Alps is the Marmolada. The Malga Ciapela ski area is located on its flanks and is accessible via a 70-person aerial cableway. This ascends to Punta Rocca at 3,265 metres, where not only a fantastic view awaits, but also a rather challenging red run. The 12 km long “La Bellunese” leads down to Malga at 1,446 metres. An additional plus point: the Malga Ciapela ski area is connected to the Sellaronda.
5. Ski region Monterosa Ski: 3,260 metres
The Monterosa Ski region stretches from Piedmont to the Aosta Valley and is considered a paradisiacal freeride hotspot. An ideal access point to the powder area is located on the eastern edge of the lift network: from the small village of Alagna-Valsesia at 1,154 metres, several lift stations take you up to the Indren, which rises to 3,275 metres between the Gressoney Valley and Valsesia. A fantastic ski route starts here, which later joins the groomed pistes in the Gabiet area.
6. Sulden am Ortler ski area: 3,250 metres
Sulden is considered the top ski area in the South Tyrolean Ortler Arena. Beautifully long slopes, guaranteed snow and uninterrupted views of King Ortler (3,905 m) characterise this ski resort gem. The highest point of the 44 kilometres of pistes lies below the Schöntaufspitze at 3,250 m. The blue run no. 1 starting from there is an absolute carving dream. Sulden is also famous for extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who breeds his fluffy yaks here.
7. Schnalstal Glacier ski area: 3,212 metres
The Schnalstal Valley is famous for the discovery of the famous ice mummy “Ötzi” and for the fantastic glacier ski area at the end of the valley. There are around 27 kilometres of pistes to choose from on the Schnalstal Glacier, which are open right into the summer months. The longest piste at 8 kilometres is the Schmuggler run, which leads down to Kurzras (it. Maso Corto). The highest point in the ski area is marked by another superlative: the Glacier Hotel Grawand is the highest mountain hotel in Europe. It is located at the top station of the glacier railway at 3,212 metres.
8. Adamello Ski area: 3,016 metres
The Adamello Ski ski area – known to winter sports fans as “Ponte di Legno-Tonale” – is located in Val di Sole, the “sun valley” in Trentino. The two villages of Ponte di Legno (1,256 m) and Tonale (1,883 m) are the starting point for the almost 60 kilometres of pistes. The cable car ascends in two sections via Passo Paradiso to just below the summit of Cima Presena. A piste on the Presena glacier runs for 11 kilometres back to Ponte di Legno, and there is also a ski route into the Presena valley.
9. Bormio ski area: 3,012 metres
In one of the largest ski regions in Italy, the Alta Valtellina, the slopes of Bormio are located on the slopes of the Cima Bianca. The highest point reaches just over 3,000 metres, which is why the ski area is also known as “Bormio 3000”. Most of the runs from the mountain station at 3,012 metres are red runs. The renowned winter sports resort, which is just as famous for its World Cup races and world championships as it is for its thermal baths, offers a total of 50 kilometres of pistes.
10. Pejo ski resort: 3,000 metres
The Pejo ski resort on Monte Vioz rounds off the top 10. Pejo is the highest municipality in Trentino and a popular destination for those seeking peace and quiet and families with children. The entrance to the Pejo 3000 ski area is located in a side valley of the Val di Sole. It is one of the most popular smaller ski areas (up to 30 kilometres of pistes) in the region. With predominantly red runs, it also appeals to demanding skiers.
