Skiing in the Alps has long been the chosen sport of royalty, celebrities, and bold adventurers. Today the Alps are a popular place for snow-lovers from all over the world to visit, explore, and experience world-class Alpine skiing. The Alps run across northern Italy, connecting with France in the west and Switzerland in the north, and several of the range’s highest peaks cross the Italian border. Two of the most popular Italian Alpine ski regions, the Dolomites in the east and Val d’Aosta in the west, are home to massive peaks, perfect powder, and optimal ski conditions that lure powderhounds from the far reaches of the world. Read on to learn about these two unique regions, their ski resorts, and other cultural activities each area has to offer.
What Are The Dolomites?
The Dolomite Mountains or Dolomites (Dolomiti in Italian) are a sub-range of the European Alps that run through northern Italy. Also known as the “Pale Mountains,” they are named after the mineral dolomite, as the mountains are comprised of a combination of dolomite and limestone, which gives them a pale pinkish hue in certain light. The area has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, because of its well-preserved natural and cultural environment — it’s full of spectacular peaks, beautiful Alpine lakes, quaint villages, abundant sunshine, and delicious Italian food.
The very northernmost portion of the Dolomites have more Austrian influence than Italian, as the villages there were formerly part of Austria and only came under Italian rule post-World War I. Most of the Dolomites are part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, one of five autonomous Italian regions granted home-rule status, to preserve linguistic and cultural minorities. Many of the small towns in the north have a more Austrian appearance and the people speak German as their first language. So it’s very possible to have a bicultural experience when you visit the Dolomites — both Italian and Austrian!
The Dolomites’ pale pink glow is most noticeable during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, when the rising or setting sun reflects off the minerals in the rocks and dirt. The Italians call it l’enrosadira, which literally means “becoming pink.” In English, the phenomenon is referred to as “alpenglow.” Although alpenglow is not unique to the Dolomites, the area’s pale pinkish hue sets it apart from other mountain ranges.
Skiing In The Dolomites
The Dolomites have one of the world’s best and largest ski networks, marked by a high-quality and efficient interconnected lift system. The Dolmiti Superski network is comprised of 15 ski resorts across the Dolomites. The area’s numbers are pretty impressive: more than 450 ski lifts (many of them high-speed) giving access to more than 900 marked trails that combine to be roughly 800 miles in length — all accessed under a single ski pass. In addition to lifts, the area offers gondolas, trams, and buses to get you from one area to the next. There are plenty of off-piste options for the more advanced skiers out there, as well as beginner and intermediate trails that are good for families and inexperienced skiers. Many of the ski resorts accommodate snowboarders as well.
The Dolomites generally have regular snowfall from December through March or early April, but it’s not unheard of for the first snowfall to occur as early as September or October. The Dolmiti Superski network is known for having the most advanced snow-making system in Europe, so there’s never a shortage of powder on the Dolomites slopes — it really is some of the best skiing in Italy.
What Else Is There To Do In The Dolomites?
For non-skiers or visitors outside of winter, there are still plenty of wonderful things to see and do in the Dolomites. In the non-snowy months, the Dolomites are known for hiking, mountain climbing, cycling, paragliding, hang-gliding, and via ferrata. For outdoor activities, the optimal months are July through September, when you can expect warm, mild weather. The area offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails, including accessible paved and gravel walkways that are wheelchair and stroller friendly. Visit the Dolomiti Bellunisi National Park and watch for local wildlife like deer, stoats, and marten, and the increasingly rare Alpine newt. Ascend (or preferably descend) the world’s longest outdoor staircase that is open to the public, the Calà del Sasso, at 4,444 cobblestone steps that date back to the 14th century.
For a sampling of local history and culture, visit any of the quaint villages and towns dotted throughout the region and see well-maintained (or sometimes crumbling) medieval structures, World War I artifact museums, and local art galleries, plus whimsical shops, delicious cafés, local markets, and more. Live la dolce vita (Italian for “the sweet life”) and sample farm-fresh cuisine at any of the mama-and-papa-owned kitchens, including fresh pasta, gnocchi, cured meats, raw cheeses, wine, and yes, gelato. Visit the Museum of Natural History in Bolzano and see the well-preserved mummy known as Ötzi the Iceman, or the Museo Marmolada Grande Guerra (Museum of the Great War) and experience the high-altitude life of a World War I soldier stationed in the Alps.
In the summer, visit one of the Dolomites’ many stunning Alpine lakes and see the mountains reflected in their glassy unsullied surfaces — rent a colorful row boat for an hour on Lago di Braies and see the surrounding scenery by boat (the pictures will be stunning). If you visit around the winter holidays, many of the villages host outdoor German-style Christmas markets, where you’ll find Christmas carolers, sleigh rides, artisanal vendors, ice sculptures, and more.
In January the area hosts the Dolomiti Balloon Festival, an eight-day event where you can watch brightly colored balloons float whimsically above the towns and villages, or book a ride yourself for a bird’s eye view of the Alpine scenery.
Where To Stay With RCI In The Dolomites
Domina Home Alaska — Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno
Hotel Cristallino — Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno
Park Hotel Faloria — Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno
Domina Home Miramonti — Corvara, Bolzano
Residence Sottsass — La Villa in Badia, Bolzano
What Is Val d’Aosta?
In the northwest corner of Italy sits Valle d’Aosta (more colloquially known as Val d’Aosta), or Aosta Valley in English. One of five autonomous regions in Italy granted home-rule privileges, Aosta shares a northern border with Switzerland and an eastern border with France, with the magnificent Alps sweeping through the region. Once a Roman outpost, the entire area was part of France until 1861, and French is still commonly spoken throughout the region, along with Italian and Valdôtain (a local patois). It is the smallest and least populous area of Italy, and is little-known outside of Europe. It is a beautiful Alpine region, full of snow-capped behemoths like Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, and the Matterhorn, the sixth highest.
Just like the Dolomites, the Aosta region experiences its own version of alpenglow, and it’s similarly full of scenic vistas and quaint Alpine villages, although in Aosta they tend to be more culturally French than Italian. It’s a beautiful region, less crowded than some of Italy’s more well-known areas, and is home to world-class skiing, food, and more.
Skiing In Val d’Aosta
When it comes to skiing in Italy, Val d’Aosta offers some of the best, which is made even better by the fact that it’s lesser known, giving it generally smaller crowds than some of the more well-known ski areas. The valley is home to 24 ski resorts comprised of 515 miles of slopes accessed by 180 ski lifts. The area receives most of its snowfall December through mid-April, and ski season tends to follow that timeline each year. Monterosa and Pila are two of the most popular ski resorts in the area, and both are known to have plenty of on- and off-piste terrain. To ski the Matterhorn’s iconic slopes (Monte Cervino in Italian), head to Cervinia ski resort, and to ski Mont Blanc’s massive terrain (Monte Bianco in Italian) visit the Courmayeur ski resort — just watch where you’re skiing on both mountains, or you may end up crossing the border into Switzerland or France!
Heli-skiing is a popular activity in Aosta Valley, with several ski resorts offering helicopter charters. The La Thuile ski resort is a popular spot for heli-skiing, as it has a lot of off-piste terrain and perfect powder. Heli-skiing is not for the faint of heart — it is off-trail downhill skiing where the skier is deposited in a remote area of the mountain by helicopter, and then must make their way down the mountain on their own or with a guide. Heli-boarding is an option in certain areas too (same thing but for snowboarders).
What Else Is There To Do In Val d’Aosta?
Snow sports aren’t the only thing Val d’Aosta has to offer visitors. Just like the Dolomites, the area is known for excellent hiking and cycling in the summer months, and July through September is the warmest, driest time. Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy’s first national park, is the perfect place to experience Aosta Valley’s natural beauty. It was designated a national park to protect Italy’s herds of indigenous ibex, which had been over-hunted in the 19th century. Today thousands of beautiful ibex can be seen roaming the park, where they remain a protected species. The national park is perfect for hiking in the summer, and snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter.
For a taste of the area’s unique history, visit the town of Aosta (the region’s capital) and check out the plethora of Roman ruins dating back to 25 B.C. Mostly well-preserved and semi-intact, you’ll find a Roman footbridge that is still in use today, plus fortified city walls, gates, and arches, as well as underground passageways, buildings, and even a majestic amphitheater. Outside the city, the remains of a Roman villa and necropolis are still being excavated.
Val d’Aosta is well-known for its many medieval castles, quite a few of which are open for public tours. The largest and grandest is Fénis Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. Once the hunting lodge of Italy’s kings, this enormous stone structure has crenelated walls, high watchtowers, and a massive courtyard. The interior was restored in the 20th century, and you can wander through stone staircases and wood balconies, a chapel, weaponry, living quarters, and more. For a less residential castle experience, Fort Bard is a stone military structure that has existed in some form since the 10th century (the current buildings were rebuilt in the early 1800s). Accessible only via funicular railway, the fort is now home to the Museum of the Alps, which houses an impressive collection of artifacts that relate to the area’s Alpine history.
Where To Stay With RCI In Val d’Aosta
Domina Home Les Jumeaux — Courmayeur, Aosta
Residence Universo — Pré-St. Didier, Aosta
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If time permits on your Italy adventure, check out these amazing secret Italian piazzas.
If this is your first trip overseas, check out this beginner’s guide to traveling abroad, and also these packing tips for international travel.