Hi
My family is headed to Italy and we wanted to visit the Italian Alps about Dec 14th for a few days. I have found tons of ski resorts but we are looking for something less touristy. We want to play in the snow, maybe cross country ski, tube ski, and hopefully be able to walk to a Christmas market. We will be coming from Milan or Turin. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Green Bay
21414 posts
I can't advise about that side of the Italian Alps, but any ski resort is likely to have tubing, sledding, ice skating, cross country skiing. Dec 14 will be a bit dicey as far as cross country skiing goes since it is very early in the season and they will need to have early snow. Also, being on the French border, I am not familiar with the Christmas Market tradition in this area.
If you go further east to the Dolomites north of Verona, however, I can tell they have lots of Christmas Markets, starting with big ones in Verona, Trento, and Bolzano. For snow resorts, head to Ortisei and Santa Christina. Both towns have smaller Christmas Markets. The one in Santa Christina has the world's largest hand carved crèche, as this area is the center for the wood carving craft with a long tradition. The lifts to the Alpe de Siusi will be running, and depending on the snow conditions, will have cross country skiing and snow hiking. The mountains here are spectacular. There is an ice arena in Selva.
I was there at that time last year and the snow conditions were not that good, but it is early in the season. Plenty of reasonable lodging available at that time of year and they welcome the business. By February they will be packed.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
Sam mentions Ortisei and I think you will find some fun there. You can go up to the Alpe di Siusi and on the other side of the valley to Rasciesa or Seceda in search of snow. There's hiking (always) and sledding if there's a snowpack. One never knows, but the lifts should be open and the Christmas markets in Bolzano and Ortisei in full swing. Ortisei is more likely to have snow than Bolzano, FYI. Check out the Val Gardena website. As it gets closer to the winter season they will post activities. The Catores Guides also run some good events.
FYI last Christmas we really enjoyed staying at Hotel Albion that catered to winter travelers where breakfast and dinner were included along with shuttle service, activities, a great indoor/outdoor (even in winter) pool. For a different adventure try Alpenhotel Panorama or Hotel Saltria, right up in the Alpe di Siusi! Heavenly!
Posted by
Boulder, Colorado, USA
437 posts
The mountains west of Turin have many places with cross county skiing, ice skating and such.
I hope to go to that area next year so cannot offer personal experience.
Useful websites include:
http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/skiing.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Airports/Turin_Caselle.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/731777/Turin-Slope-off-to-the-Milky-Way.html
December is very early ski season and you should not see hordes of skiers.