Winter in Italy brings special seasonal delights. Food markets are piled high with autumn’s rich harvest of olives, chestnuts and truffles, cities are quieter and atmospherically intimate and across the Alps sports lovers strap on their boots for a welcome return to the pistes. From captivating Christmas light displays to a spoiling spa break in the Dolomites, come on a journey of discovery this winter in the Bel Paese.

 First up, Italy’s magnificent ski resorts. The main domains include Valle d’Aosta, home to Cervinia and Courmayeur, the ‘Milky Way’ resorts of Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx and the magnificent Dolomites with the glamorous resorts of Madonna di Campiglio and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

 The Dolomites are a UNESCO Heritage Site, a rich and rugged region with an excellent infrastructure, outstanding natural beauty and a strong snow record across its 1,300 kilometres of slopes.  

Cortina d’Ampezzo, two hours from Venice, is probably Italy’s most famed resort, super-smart yet thoroughly Italian and a favourite with wealthy Milanese and Venetian weekenders who come for the gilt-edged social life just as much as the skiing. Designer shopping includes around three hundred boutiques and fabulous restaurants span in-town oyster bars right up to delightful rustic mountain huts.

 The resort has a golden reputation for hosting international sports events too. It held the 1956 Winter Olympics, it is the venue for the 2021 World Alpine Championships and in partnership with cosmopolitan Milan, it has won sports’ biggest prize, hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

From the Opening Ceremony in Milan’s world-famous San Siro Stadium to the Closing Ceremony in Arena di Verona, one of Italy’s largest and most spectacular Roman amphitheatres, these Olympics are set to shine a light on the magnificent regions of Lombardy and Veneto and the provinces of Trento and Bolzano.

Milano Cortina 2026 is determined to be the most sustainable and inspirational Winter Games on record, to leave an impressive sporting and environmental legacy that changes the lives of future generations and demonstrates to tourists the extraordinary sporting, natural and cultural brilliance of the Italian Alps.

Italy has many delightful smaller Alpine resorts too. In family friendly Val Seriana and Val di Scalve in the Bergamo Orobie mountains one hour from Milan activities range from Nordic walking with a guide to ice climbing up frozen waterfalls. Valsesia in Piedmont includes the Monterosa Ski area and the free-rider resort of Alagna, phenomenal off-piste territory. In Ponte di Legno-Tonale spanning Lombardy and Trentino experienced skiers line up to attack Paradiso, an adrenaline-boosting black run that descends 11 kilometres from the glacier.

Italian resorts understand that holidaymakers relish these special experiences and provide plenty of them. For a vigorous ride on a dog sleigh choose the uncrowded slopes of Sauris north of Venice. For a night walk to remember hire a private guide to snowshoe under the stars at Castione della Presolana in the Bergamo Alps or go even further and sleep under the stars in Cortina’s Starlight Room, a rotating glass bedroom at Refuge Col Gallina where you can watch the Dolomite peaks change colour against the setting sun.

Hardcore skiers value the opportunity to make first tracks. In Trentino, Capanna Presena at 2,753 metres is a mountain refuge with eight cosy Alpine-style bedrooms. After a day on piste spend the evening reviving your tired muscles in the hydrotherapy pool and sauna before dinner and bed. Then watch the sun climb over the mountains before clicking back into your skis to be first out on the slopes.

In Livigno dare devils might choose a paragliding flight over the snow-capped peaks while families will never forget their meal in the Snow Restaurant, a magnificent igloo with a table set for twelve where diners wrap up for a five course tasting menu. 

Prefer meditation to adrenaline-kicks? The Dolomites also offer wonderful wellness breaks. Try the Finnish Spa at Rifugio Lagazuoi above Cortina, the highest in the Alps open to hotel guests and day trippers or in the resort centre itself, five star Hotel Falario has a luxurious and beautifully restful spa and pool.

Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti in Pinzolo two hours from Verona airport close to super-smart Madonna di Campiglio, opened last year and immediately set a new standard for the holistic care. This is a sister resort to Lefay Lake Garda, winner of numerous international awards for excellence. Guests have four floors of facilities to explore, two heated pools, one indoor-outdoor, a huge fitness centre, sauna and steam zone and an entire floor devoted to treatment rooms, all with wide pictures windows overlooking those dramatic Dolomite peaks.

Italy has recovered well from the early days of the Covid crisis, putting in place stringent measures to protect citizens and visitors and closely monitoring developments. Before arrival, all travellers should ensure they are fully up to date and compliant with the latest COVID-19 regulations.

This year more than ever we need a dose of Italy’s charm and beauty. For more ideas look at http://www.italia.it/en/home.html 

Italy wishes you Buon Natale.