Italy is one of the top destinations in the world for skiing, containing over 200 resorts to choose from. With so many resorts out there, Matthias O’Meara discusses the resorts of Tonale, Monterose, and Via Lattea in Italy that are alternatives to more well-known locations like Cortina d’Ampezzo, Courmayeur, and Bormio.
Every ski resort has its own pros and cons. Tonale serves some of the best terrain for beginners and the whole family. Monterosa consistently receives plenty of powder, paired with steep off-piste runs for expert skiers. Via Lattea is affordable and offers something that everyone can enjoy.
Let’s take a deeper look into what makes these resorts some gems in Italy, and potentially the world.
Consorzio Pontedilegno-Tonale
Tonale Ski Resort is one of the top resorts in Italy for those who are new to skiing. It has an extensive amount of beginner and intermediate terrain, safe and fun for the whole family.
Tonale also contains plenty of advanced on-piste runs for those who have more familiarity with the skiing experience. This allows everyone in the group to split up and still enjoy the day.
Skiers can enjoy over 6,000 vertical feet of skiing from summit to base, with Tonale’s longest run measuring almost 7 miles.
Tonale offers 3 separate lodges at its base areas that offer food, drink, and a place to rest after a long day on the slopes.
Its proximity to Milan makes Tonale easily accessible by flying into any of the three international or regional airports.
Monterosa Ski
Further west along the Swiss border lies Monterosa Ski Resort. Monterosa is better known for its more advanced terrain, both on and off-piste. This extreme terrain is complemented by the extensive snowfall that Monterosa regularly receives every year.
This combination of steep runs and plenty of snow make it a favorite for those expert skiers who spend their winter months chasing powder. This availability of expert terrain helps keep crowding to a minimum, enticing only more advanced skiers and riders.
Monterosa offers a large backcountry skiing area for those who want to create their own runs on terrain that is unmaintained. It can be easily accessed from the resort with the help of a backcountry guide.
Via Lattea
Even further to the west, along the French border, sits Via Lattea. It is the best value out of just about any ski resort in Italy. It offers terrain for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Via Lattea has five separate peaks to choose from, which allows for multiple days of endless skiing.
The resort is easily accessible by bus from nearby Turin, and it even offers heli skiing as an option within its backcountry areas.
An average of over 240 inches of snow per year keeps this resort a popular destination from December all the way through April when it closes.
Final Thoughts
Italy’s extensive catalog of ski resorts ensures that locals and tourists alike can find appropriately suited terrain to ski. Beginners and families should take the time to check out Tonale Ski Area while experts and backcountry enthusiasts should plan a trip to Monterosa. The best valued ski resort is Via Lattea, with multiple peaks and endless runs to explore.