Italy is not only Lake Como, the Colosseum and the warm sea, but also holidays at ski resorts. The history of the modest town of Cortina d’Ampezzo has long gone beyond the country’s borders, as the Olympic Games were held here in 1956, and in 2026, the world’s major sporting event will return to this region.
The 150 km of ski slopes have been tested by the best athletes on the planet, and after a high-speed descent, the lifts will quickly take you back to the top. What’s more, 50% of the slopes in Cortina d’Ampezzo are equally suitable for beginners and experienced winter sports enthusiasts, so you don’t have to worry about difficult descents.
Another piece of good news: when you buy a single ski pass, the number of available routes is expanded to include nearby resorts. And if you’ve been dreaming of visiting a snow park and trying a halfpipe, Cortina d’Ampezzo has everything you need.
This is one of the most famous resorts in Switzerland. It is renowned for its magnificent nature, first-class service and challenging slopes, as well as its proximity to Cervinia in Italy.
Zermatt has 360 kilometres of slopes for tourists of all levels. Thanks to this variety, downhill skiing and snowboarding will not be a challenge even for beginners. And if freeriding is your thing, there is a separate area for it here.
The Zermatt ski resort is open all year round, which means you can enjoy winter sports even in the heat of summer.
Sölden (Austria)
How about a trip to the Austrian Alps? Sound good? Then open up a flight search engine and plan your route to Sölden. The skiing, scenery and level of service here are equally impressive. What’s more, if necessary, a ski instructor will always help you find your way around the slopes.
The length of the trails is relatively small (144 kilometres), but you can ski on glaciers. Another argument in favour of Sölden is the local thermal springs for complete relaxation after an active holiday.
Ischgl (Austria)
Just visit Ischgl in Tyrol to see for yourself that it deserves its place in our top list. Equipment rental offers skis and snowboards for skiing on 230 kilometres of slopes. In addition, the resort has separate ski schools that teach from scratch and bring your skills to perfection.
What else sets Ischgl apart from other resorts? Après-ski! In the evening, dozens of bars, restaurants and nightclubs attract attention, with life continuing even after sunset.
Chamonix (France)
Chamonix, like Cortina d’Ampezzo, hosted the Olympic Games in the 20th century, and tourists come here all year round for skiing, hiking and golf.
The resort has one of the highest cable cars in Europe, rising to a height of about 3.8 kilometres. For the most daring athletes, Chamonix offers a 22-kilometre downhill run. During the season, the resort has nearly 100 active slopes, but only 13 of them are suitable for beginners.
Take a look at the ski hotels in Chamonix. Due to the popularity of the location, rooms are booked several months in advance, so check out the available options as soon as you decide to go to France.
Riley Nguyen is a travel editor for Condé Nast Traveler, where she explores and reviews exotic destinations around the globe. Her passion for culture and adventure shines through her vivid storytelling and photography. Holding a degree in Anthropology from UCLA, Riley has a unique ability to connect with diverse cultures, offering readers immersive travel experiences. Previously, she freelanced for Lonely Planet and National Geographic, documenting her journeys from the Amazon rainforest to the streets of Tokyo. She calls New York City home but considers the world her playground.
Riley Nguyen is a travel editor for Condé Nast Traveler, where she explores and reviews exotic destinations around the globe. Her passion for culture and adventure shines through her vivid storytelling and photography. Holding a degree in Anthropology from UCLA, Riley has a unique ability to connect with diverse cultures, offering readers immersive travel experiences. Previously, she freelanced for Lonely Planet and National Geographic, documenting her journeys from the Amazon rainforest to the streets of Tokyo. She calls New York City home but considers the world her playground.
