The Alps are synonymous with alpine skiing, and every house in the collection is a short drive from a lift. What differs is the character: one valley plugs you into Italy's largest ski carousel, one is a corner of South Tyrol on a cross-border pass, and one is a local favourite with almost no queue.
Val di Fiemme: gateway to Dolomiti Superski
Val di Fiemme is part of Dolomiti Superski, one of the world's largest ski networks: around 1,200 km of slopes in twelve ski areas on a single pass. From the valley you reach Alpe Cermis and the Latemar ski area (Obereggen, Pampeago, Predazzo), with terrain for every level.
- Alpe Cermis, where the 7.5 km Olimpia run drops around 1,400 m to the valley station near Cavalese.
- The Latemar ski area, known for its panoramic Dolomite views.
- Cross-country skiing on the world-cup tracks at Lago di Tesero.
- An evening in Cavalese after a day on the slopes.
Your place to stay: Apart Dolomiti
Val Venosta: authentic skiing in the Südtirol Skiarena
Val Venosta is a hidden gem for skiers who want alpine character without the crowds. The valley belongs to the Südtirol Skiarena (formerly Ortler Skiarena): 18 ski areas on a single pass, a few of them across the border in Austria and Switzerland.
- Sulden am Ortler: glacier views and around 44 km of pistes reaching up to 3,250 m.
- Watles: small and sunny, popular with families.
- Uncrowded slopes and traditional South Tyrolean hospitality.
Your place to stay: Apart Vinschgau
Valmalenco: scenic skiing, relaxed pace
Valmalenco is home to the Alpe Palù ski area: uncrowded slopes and spectacular views of the Bernina massif. A single cable car ride takes you from Chiesa in Valmalenco up onto the mountain.
- Around 50 km of runs, with wide trails and areas for beginners.
- The Snow Eagle cable car, with cabins for 160 people, among the largest anywhere.
- A snowpark, plus off-piste terrain for experienced freeriders.
Your place to stay: Chalet Valmalenco
Beyond the piste: ski touring
All three valleys are good ski-touring country, and each has easier tours that suit a first outing on skins, alongside serious high-alpine routes.
- Val Venosta: Tellakopf (2,525 m) is an easy tour of about 800 m from the Eckhof in Taufers im Münstertal, on open slopes with a moderate gradient. Piz Sesvenna (3,205 m) from Schlinig via the Sesvenna hut is a long high-alpine tour of about 1,570 m that crosses a glacier, for experienced ski mountaineers only.
- Valmalenco: Monte Motta (2,336 m) from San Giuseppe is a marked route of about 900 m beside the Alpe Palù slopes, mostly on forest tracks, and a good first tour. Passo di Mello (2,992 m), from Chiareggio up Val Sissone, is a long, serious tour of about 1,400 m for experienced ski mountaineers.
- Val di Fiemme: from Paneveggio, a gentle winter loop of about 500 m through fir forest leads to Malga Bocche and open meadows facing the Pale di San Martino, best done on snowshoes. Nearby, Col Margherita (2,513 m) above Passo San Pellegrino is reached by cable car and has a huge Dolomite panorama and a freeride area on its north face.
Conditions change fast in the backcountry. Always check the avalanche bulletin, carry transceiver, shovel and probe, and go with a local mountain guide if you are new to it.
