It should be mentioned that Italy skiing includes a number of the world's greatest territories, like the Milky Way and the Super Dolomiti Region, offering a great amount of lift-linked slopes. However, as compared to other countries, Italian ski resorts are in worse condition with the infrastructure needing improvement. For most local residents, Italy skiing is a relaxed and friendly sport, which usually involves drinking, eating and sunbathing. The majority of Italian ski resorts are designed in laid-back fashion, requiring equipment rental on-site if you don't have your own.
Italy skiing is filled with special experiences, providing every visitor with unforgettable memories. Due to its mountainous geography, the country has a great variety of ski resorts, including the most prominent Courmayeur and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The greatest winter sports facilities are to be found in the northern regions of Italy, financed substantially by the United Kingdom. The south of the country can offer some winter sports options as well.
Owing to the number of ski resorts, Italy skiing is recognized as a commonplace activity, popular among visitors and local residents. In addition to their summer vacations, the majority of Italians spend a week in winter to enjoy skiing.
One of the most convenient and affordable places for ski holidays is Turin, the base for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Northwest of it is the Valle di Susa, which houses such fashionable ski resorts as Bardonecchia, Sauze d'Oulx and Sestriere. The latter is seen as one of the country's best-developed resorts with approximately 20 ski lifts, cross-country trails and a skating rink. Further north located the Valle d'Aosta, home to pine forests and some of the highest European mountains: Mont Blanc, Gran Paradizo, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. It is here the country's most glamorous ski resort Courmayeur is located, offering an opportunity of ice skating, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, helicopters and chairlifts. Other popular destinations of the area are Cogne, Pila, St Vincent and Breuil-Carvenia.
Numerous possibilities for summer vacations and winter sports are offered at the Dolomites with its twelve ski areas linked together to form an excellent ski network. Here you'll find the most well-known ski resorts in the country - Cortina d'Ampezzo and Madonna di Campiglio. Though the majority of best ski resorts are concentrated in the Alpine areas of northern Italy, there exist plenty of southerly locations with winter recreational activities, including the Gran Sasso, housing the Campo Felice ski resort, and Sila Massif, offering more than 35 km of skiing trails.
One of the most popular ski resorts is located in a small town Bressanone, known also as Brixen. Throughout its history, Brassanone has been one of the most important towns in the Central Europe and a home to the Region's bishops. Today Bressanone can boast great outdoor opportunities, cozy restaurants, designer shopping and wonderful wines of the Eisackl Valley. The famous sights include the Church of St. Michael, the White Tower, a Baroque cathedral and a convent with the most precious frescoes of the XIV-XVI centuries.
So you can see-- Italy skiing is really much, much more than skiing! Culture, scenery and fun all wrapped up into one trip.