Where in Italy?

[SarBear1980]

Usually ski in Austria - high up - Christmas. Has to be Christmas due to work restrictions sadly…fancy a change and would like to go to Italy I think! Will I be disappointed if I like Austria for no queues, efficient and modern lifts and good snow. Not mad for black runs so challenging slopes not an issue! We like a bit of apres and a bit of something to do - swimming, bowling type thing. Any ideas about Sesteriere, Passo Tonale or Cervinia?

[Africa2go]

Of those, Cervinia due to the height. We've been at Christmas and I would say you'll get all of those requirements - limited queues, modern lifts, good snow. There are hotels with pools - not sure if there is a public one, and don't know about bowling either, but there is a skating rink, ice kart track etc.

[DorotheaDiamond]

Or try Corvara in the sella Ronda they do amazing artificial snow if natural not so good!

[dew141]

We've skied in Cervinia but only from staying in the Zermatt side. There's a fair number of runs on that side but the other runs in Zermatt don't link up brilliantly with each other.

We've just got back from St Anton in Austria which was lovely and cheaper than Switzerland.

[Dindundundundeeer]

Cervinia is not as modern in some areas - we refer to the mid lift as the wicker basket. It is high and known for wind if you go early in the season. IMO Italy has less investment on infrasture than say france but has less queues. I prefer Italy. Zermatt side is great to though and well linked to Cervinia.

We are going to Sestriere next year, which i'm looking forward to.

Went to La Thuile last year and quiet, but some slow lifts remain - you know the old leg slappers.

I like Austria as the grooming is less frequent, but I love the Italian vibe.

I'd go for variety

[SarBear1980]

Thanks for all the replies…so much to love about Austria which is why I think it’s a hard choice! Cervinia sounds perfect but the winds do put me off a bit @Dindundundundeeer and I see lots people saying lifts often close due to wind? I love the idea of skiing and eating delicious Italian food though!!

[SarBear1980]

@Africa2go where did you stay? Any recommendations you have appreciated. Thanks!

[TokyoSushi]

Cervinia is absolutely lovely, so pretty and great snow, but in February was very windy and absolutely freezing -5 at least up on the mountain. We went in to Cervinia in 2022 and have just come back from Austria. It was quite stark how much more modern, well equipped and well catered for we were in Austria...

[Duidi123]

We’re just back from Passo Tonale. We had no issues with lifts and there’s plenty of blues and reds to keep you entertained. However outside of skiing there’s very little to do other than dog sledding. You could look into Pinterest de Legno for further entertainment. This is the next town over and considerably bigger and you’re able to get a carabina between the two if you didn’t fancy driving. The bus is also an option. The two are connected but only by very steep black slopes.

We really enjoyed Passo Tonale but I will say on a windy day, depending on the direction of the wind your choices of lifts will be limited as many of them were closed on one of the days due to this!

[Africa2go]

Friends have just come back and had 7 blue sky days. Been twice (over Christmas) and never seen the lifts shut. We stayed in an Airbnb, but v close to Hotel Europa (which I know has a swimming pool / sauna etc) at the top of the pedestrian street.

[SarBear1980]

This is my worry @TokyoSushi that I’ve been spoilt with Austria! Cold we are ok with as been to Finland and Canada when it’s been super cold! I think I’m going to narrow my search to Cervinia then…@Africa2go im
looking at Hotel Europa as that seems best deal about. Thanks everyone!

[Dindundundundeeer]

We stayed in the Club Med there, but I think it has closed. We've been to Cervinia twice and would def go again. Beware of the layout of the town though as it's steep.

[Melassa]

If you like Austria then go to the Dolomites, Sud Tirol/Alto Adige. Best of both worlds. Austrian efficiency but with an Italian vibe and better wine.

I went to Val Pustertal a few years ago, the same ski pass gives you a huge area to ski in with a variety of well maintained runs. The après ski is pretty good, most towns are well connected and well equipped and you can celeb watch in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

[Melassa]

Hopefully this will come out in English:

www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/home

[Abra1t]

We liked Cervinia and didn't have too much trouble with winds. Seemed more relaxed than France, where we normally go. Lots of mountainside coffee stops.

[Havanananana]

Kronplatz in Italy is a good choice - a mixed Austrian/Italian vibe (it's in Alto Adige/ Sud Tirol) and good infrastructure.

[ReviewingTheSituation]

Dolomites! Go to the Dolomites!

Snowsure in early season, stunningly beautiful, lots of Austrian influence (spatzle and strudel a-plenty, alongside fab Italian food). The skiing is absolutely fabulous - lovely, well maintained runs which are very manageable. And loads of them.

I'd stay on the Sellaronda rather than in one of the standalone resorts - purely because the ski options are just so much wider. You can ski the whole route easily in a day, or you can use the great lift infrastructure to get you to another resort from your 'home' one and ski somewhere different each day. We stayed in Selva this year, and it would meet your criteria. As would Arraba, Colfosco, Corvara...

I haven't stayed in Sestriere, but I've stayed in Sauze (just a few lifts away) many times. I LOVE that ski area (Sauze and Sansicario moreso than Sestriere), but I'd be very wary about an early season trip there, as it's far from snowsure. I've skied there at new year a few times, but have only booked it once I knew there was plenty of snow.

[ReviewingTheSituation]

And the lift systems etc were better than those I've seen in Austria (don't go to Via Lattea/Sestriere if you want great lifts!)

[SarBear1980]

Lots of lovely options - thank you! We literally have one week a year we can go - Christmas week - because of me being a teacher and the husband being unable to have Feb half term off in his job! Makes it really limited where we can go these days…as it’s got to be high for snow sure at that time. I think Cervinia might be our winner this time!

[ChickpeaPie]

We’re in cervinia now and it’s absolutely boiling, not a hint of wind and skiing with short sleeved t shirts under our coats and no thermals.
weatger due to change tomorrow though which will be welcome and the streets are very slushy.

[Bluelightbaby]

Came back from Cervinia two weeks ago. Absolutely stunning and brilliant for all abilities. Not too much to do in the area other than skiing though.
grindlewald in Switzerland had loads to do other than skiing (tobogganing, little towns James Bond thing etc) skiing was great but no so good for beginners

[Goawayangryman]

Christmas is always a bit of a risk snow-wise.

Another place to consider if you can drive and hire a car is Tre Cime/ Drei Zinnen, north of Cortina. It's a really good size ski area, nice town of San Candido/ Innichen and has a good pool with extensive modern wellness area. It's very scenic as well. Cortina is great if you don't mind buses and has lots of off slope activities. Very expensive though.

La Thuile usually has great snow and there is a nice spa down the valley in Pre st Didier. You can go to Courmayeur for a day as well.

Cervinia is great for snow reliability but the town is very uninspiring in my opinion, big and block-like and the slopes are mostly open so if bad weather hits .. you'll be limited to above Valtournenche. If you're used to Austria it is high as well, up to 3,500 m plus. Off slope activities limited.

Monterosa could be good.

Sella Ronda is very picturesque and like others say has excellent snowmaking and is usually fully open even when dodgy natural snow. Selva has lots of off slope activities. As does Ortisei and Corvara. Again, pricy though.

[Oriunda]

We ski in the Brenta Dolomites - Madonna di Campiglio. It’s pretty high, and we’ve never had an issue with snow, even this time when they’d not had snow for nearly 2 weeks. Stunning blue skies and great lift systems (new cable cars with heated seats!). Great food and cheaper than France.

[Lena84]

Oriunda, do you mind sharing the experience in Madonna di Campilio, may be you could recommend the hotel you stayed at?
We are planning to go there this Christmas
Thanks

[florenceandthemac]

We went to Madonna in Feb this year. Loved it.
We stayed at the Alpen Vidi hotel and the food was amazing. Far too many courses at dinner, but I'm not complaining 🫠

[Oriunda]

Sorry, just see on this. We stay at the Hotel Campo Carlo Magnolia. Ski in and out. Great spa. Email them for best prices.