Italy: Interconnected Resorts And The Food Is Great -
The Italian ski resorts are scattered across the mountainous areas of the Alps and the Dolomites. Skiing and riding in Italy is generally a bit less expensive than the neighbouring resorts in France, Switzerland, and Austria. Italian resorts are also known for their family-friendly atmosphere, delicious food, and uncrowded slopes which means less queuing for lifts.
The Dolomites ski area offers hundreds of kilometres of skiable terrain ranging between 1500 and 3200 metres altitude and is connected by 450 lift systems. Dolomiti Superski features 1220 kilometres of ski slopes and 450 lift systems. The area comprises twelve connected ski areas, which combines to create the largest ski carousel in the world.
There are 12 ski resorts in the Dolomiti Superski: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Arabba, Alta Pusteria Valle di Fiemme, San Martino di Castrozza, Valle Isarco, Trevalli-Moena, and Civetta. One of the most popular is Val Gardena with its 175 kilometres of runs connected by 83 lifts and 11 kilometres of cross-country slopes. The resort is best suited to intermediates and experts with its 32 blue runs, 23 red, and 18 black. Skiers and boarders can reach an altitude of 2518 metres.
The other ski carousel in the Dolomites is the Skiarama Dolomiti, with its 360 kilometres of slopes and 140 lifts. The eight ski resorts in Skiarama Dolomiti include: Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo, Folgarida-Marilleva, Pejo, Tonale, Andalo, Monte Bondone, and Folgaria. One of the most popular resorts is Madonna di Campiglio with its 150 kilometres of pistes connected by 24 lifts. The resort is best suited to intermediates and experts, with its 21 blue runs, 12 red, and six black. Skiers and boarders can reach an altitude of 2600 metres. The easiest route to the Dolomites is via Milan Airport.
The Milky Way ski area comprises 400 kilometres of pistes and 140 ski slopes connected by 93 lifts. The main ski resorts here include: Cesana, Claviere, Sauze d’Oulx, and Bardonecchia. Sauze d’Oulx is one of the larger, more popular, resorts in the area. It offers good intermediate runs, English-speaking ski and snowboard schools, and a lively après ski scene. Claviere is Italy’s oldest resort and a genuine Italian village with plenty of charm.
Cesana has direct access to 39 individual pistes and plenty of skiing above 2500 metres, so snow is assured throughout the season. All levels of skier are well catered for in Bardonecchia, with 10 green runs, 28 blue, eight red, and six black. The easiest way to access the Milky Way ski area is via Turin Airport.
Italy's largest mountain range is the Appennine in Tuscany. The largest organised ski resort is Abetone, set 1400 metres altitude near the border between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. The Tuscan town of Abetone is not far from Florence, Pisa and Lucca and has been popular with Italian skiers for more than 70 years. There are 80 kilometres of ski slopes here, which run down into four valleys: the Sestaione valley, Luce valley, and Lima and Scoltenna valleys. The 37 tree-lined slopes are linked by 21 modern chairlifts and gondolas. Abetone is the birthplace of an Olympic champion, Zeno Colo.
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