‘When is the best time to ski?’ is one of the first questions people ask when planning a snow holiday. The answer depends on what you want: fresh snow, empty slopes, low prices or long sunny days. Here is our guide to skiing in Italy, month by month.
November: the early birds
The first lifts usually open in November, but only in high-altitude resorts:
- Who opens: Cervinia (from 15 November), Val Senales, Solda, Presena
- Snow: artificial at mid altitudes, natural above 2,500 m
- Crowds: light
- Prices: average
- Best for: keen skiers who cannot wait, pre-season training
Tips for November
- Always check that the lifts are actually open before you set off
- Only a few slopes are open, often just the top section
- Snowmaking struggles when temperatures are above zero
December: the season gets going
December has two very different halves.
First half (1-20 December)
- Openings: most Alpine ski areas open between 6 and 15 December
- Snow: variable, depending heavily on early snowfall
- Crowds: light (except at weekends)
- Prices: low season, great deals
- Best for: skiing on a budget on almost empty slopes
Christmas and New Year (20 December to 6 January)
- Snow: usually good, backed up by snowmaking
- Crowds: very heavy, the busiest week of the year
- Prices: the highest of the season, around 50% above normal
- Best for: people who cannot go at any other time
Tip: if you can, avoid Christmas week. The crowds make the whole experience much worse.
January: the underrated month
January, especially after Epiphany (6 January), is the best-kept secret of experienced skiers.
Second half of January
- Snow: settling, with frequent snowfall
- Crowds: very light, the quietest time of the year
- Prices: low season, with discounts of up to 30%
- Days: short but often sunny
- Best for: the best value of the whole year
Why January is special
- The slopes are perfectly groomed and almost empty
- Cold temperatures keep the snow firm and fast
- Lift staff are relaxed and have time for you
- Mountain huts have a cosy, intimate feel
To save even more, see our guide to a ski holiday on a budget.
February: the peak
February is seen as the golden month for skiing:
- Snow: at its best, with a settled base and frequent fresh falls
- Days: longer, with good skiing from 09:00 to 16:30
- Crowds: heavy (Italian school ski weeks)
- Prices: high season
- Best for: skiers who want perfect conditions and are happy to pay more
Italian school ski weeks
The dates of these school holiday weeks vary by region. The busiest weeks are when several regions are on holiday at the same time. Check the regional school calendars to avoid the peaks.
March: spring skiing
March is a month of transition:
- Snow: good up high (above 1,800 m), melting lower down
- Sunshine: long sunny days, skiing in a T-shirt
- Crowds: moderate and falling
- Prices: coming down, with good offers
- Best for: relaxed skiers who love the sun and a mountain hut terrace
March corn snow
In March the snow softens during the day and refreezes at night, creating ‘corn snow’ (spring snow): grainy but pleasant, perfect for wide carving turns. Conditions are best between 10:00 and 14:00.
April: the last turns
April is for purists:
- Where to ski: only up high, above 2,000 m
- Resorts open: Cervinia, Livigno, Passo Tonale, Arabba and some Dolomiti Superski resorts
- Snow: spring snow, melting
- Prices: very low, often with ‘closing party’ discounts on ski passes
- Best for: the last skiers of the season and fans of the end-of-season party mood
May and June: summer skiing
Only a few resorts stay open:
- Stelvio Pass: open from late May to November (skiing on the glacier)
- Cervinia (Plateau Rosa): summer skiing on the Theodul glacier
- Val Senales: the glacier is open from September to May
For the full picture, read our article on summer skiing on Italy’s glaciers.
At a glance: the right month for you
| What you want | Best time |
|---|---|
| Plenty of fresh snow | January-February |
| Empty slopes | Second half of January |
| Low prices | January, early December, March |
| Sunshine and relaxing | March |
| Long days | March-April |
| The best all-round experience | Second week of February |
| Extreme high-altitude skiing | May-June (glaciers) |
For up-to-date conditions, check our weather pages and live webcams.
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