Latest in Italy

Stelvio Glacier Suspends Summer Skiing, Leaving Continental Europe Without a Lift-Served Slope

Italy's Stelvio Glacier has pulled the plug on summer skiing from August 15. It was the last lift-served ski option left standing in continental Europe, and now there's none. Operator SIFAS pointed to persistent heat, storms, and a snowpack that simply wasn't refreezing overnight anymore. The cable car keeps running. Whether skiing comes back later this summer depends on the weather turning - and right now, nobody's promising anything.

Ski Pass on Your Smartphone: Dolomiti Superski's Plans for the Next Three Years

Dolomiti Superski's general assembly has unanimously re-elected Andy Varallo for a third consecutive term, running through 2029. Alongside the leadership renewal comes a bigger shift: a Smartpass that puts your ski pass on your smartphone, more AI in guest services, and an expanded Dolomiti Supersummer program. The 46-year-old Alta Badia cable car entrepreneur says the region's marketing is moving beyond skiing alone, toward positioning the Dolomites as a year-round destination.

South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena

South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.

La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts

La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.

New Delay for the Sillian-Sexten Ski Connection as Plan Is Reworked

The long-planned ski connection between Sillian in East Tyrol and Sexten in South Tyrol has hit another setback. An environmental review found the planned Austrian-side lift would cut through sensitive habitat, including breeding grounds for rock ptarmigan, so the Schultz Group has scrapped the single-lift plan for two separate lifts with a transfer at Leckfeldalm. New landowner agreements are needed and a fresh application isn't expected before 2027 - the South Tyrol side is unaffected.

San Martino Puts 16 Million Euros Into New Alpe Tognola 6-Seater

San Martino di Castrozza - Passo Rolle is spending more than 16 million euros on its biggest modernisation yet. Two old 3-seater chairlifts on Alpe Tognola's Scandola-Conca section are being replaced by a single detachable 6-seater, cutting the ride to 4 minutes 27 seconds and dropping the number of lift towers from 33 to 10. The project also covers reworked slopes, an extended Conca run, a relocated snow park, 30 new snow cannons, and a new lift-station bar - most of it due to open in 2026.

Gitschberg Jochtal Rebuilds Gitsch Chairlift as a Heated 6-Seater

Gitschberg Jochtal in South Tyrol is replacing its ageing 4-seater Gitsch chairlift with a new automatic 6-seater from Leitner, cutting the ride to the resort's highest point to 2 minutes 41 seconds - about half the current travel time. The new lift climbs from 2,203 to 2,500 metres with heated seats, weather hoods, and individual footrests, plus an AI boarding system that checks riders are seated safely before the bar comes down. It's due to open for the 2026/27 season.

Resort Spotlight: Arabba ​Marmolada - The Dolomiti Superski's Quiet Gateway to Endless Cruising

Arabba Marmolada sits at the intersection of the Sella Ronda circuit and access to the Marmolada glacier. With 1,823 metres of vertical and direct links into the Dolomiti Superski, it's a base village that prioritises ski touring over après.

Sinner's Manager Becomes Largest Shareholder in Kronplatz Ski Resort

Alex Vittur, the manager behind Jannik Sinner's rise to world No. 1, has acquired a controlling stake in Kronplatz Holding AG - the company behind one of the Italian Dolomites' most significant ski destinations. The deal reportedly cost around €10 million and makes Vittur the largest individual shareholder among 589 stakeholders. It's a notable crossover between elite sport management and alpine tourism, and one that could shape the future direction of a resort with a lot at stake.

Resort Spotlight: Monterosa Ski - Three Valleys, One Pass, No Crowds

While skiers queue at Chamonix and Cervinia, Monterosa Ski's three valleys offer 132km of largely intermediate terrain spread across an impressive 2,063 metres of vertical. It's not a household name, which is precisely the point.

Prato Nevoso Begins Construction on Piedmont's First Eight-Seat Chairlift

Prato Nevoso in the Ligurian Alps has broken ground on the Piedmont region's first eight-seat detachable chairlift, replacing a 25-year-old four-seater. It's part of a €60 million investment plan running from 2026 to 2028 - the largest ever launched by a resort in the region - covering new snowmaking infrastructure, terrain expansion, hospitality upgrades, and year-round facilities.

Resort Spotlight: Gitschberg Jochtal - South Tyrol's Family Favourite Without the Dolomite Price Tag

Gitschberg Jochtal occupies an odd spot in South Tyrol's ski map - too small to draw the Dolomiti Superski crowds, too well-groomed to be ignored. The 1,203-metre vertical spread across two valleys offers predictable intermediate terrain at prices roughly 15% below Kronplatz next door.

Resort Spotlight: Plose Brixen - South Tyrol's Sunny Side with Dolomite Views

Plose Brixen sits on the opposite side of the valley from the main Dolomite ranges, trading dramatic rock faces for south-facing slopes and wider views. It's a compact area above a proper town rather than a purpose-built resort village.

Vialattea and Bardonecchia Invest €28 Million in Snowmaking and Snow Reliability

Vialattea and Bardonecchia are rolling out a €28 million multi-year upgrade to snowmaking infrastructure across their combined 500+ km of terrain in the Italian Alps. Over 100 new snow cannons are already operating at Bardonecchia, with system upgrades extending to Sauze d'Oulx, Cesana-Sansicario, and Cesana-Claviere from summer 2026. All systems run on renewable energy.

Kronplatz Retires Its Iconic K1+2 Gondola as Construction of Pininfarina-Designed Replacement Begins

Kronplatz is retiring its long-running K1+2 gondola lift after this winter season, with construction of a brand-new replacement system starting immediately. The new lift has been designed in collaboration with Italian automotive firm Pininfarina, with cabin interiors featuring South Tyrolean loden fabric and a gold and bronze station aesthetic. It's a significant upgrade for one of the Dolomites' most-used mountain connections.

Resort Spotlight: Abetone - Where Tuscany Meets Serious Apennine Terrain

Straddling the Tuscan-Emilian border with 44 kilometres of terrain and 652 metres of vertical, Abetone offers something increasingly rare in Italian skiing: genuine terrain variety without Alpine pretensions. The resort's four-valley layout and moderate pricing make it worth considering if you're already in central Italy.

Why North American Ski Resorts Don't Invest in Lifts Like Europe Does

In the 2025/26 season, the four core Alpine nations spent $1.09 billion on new lift infrastructure. North America managed $317 million. That's a 3.4x gap - and it has nothing to do with snow quality or resort size. After building a database of 226 new lift installations across 32 countries and a full financial comparative report, the answer comes down to ownership structures, regulatory constraints, and 150 years of European mountain history that North America simply doesn't have.

European Alps Snow Forecast: 20-30cm Expected This Week

A modest cold front will deliver snow to high-altitude European resorts from Monday through Thursday, with the western and southern Alps favoured. Val Thorens and Cervinia could see up to 30cm, while many Austrian resorts miss out entirely. Snow levels fluctuate between 1,800-2,400 metres.

South Tyrol's Südtirol Skiarena Expands to 18 Resorts with Year-Round Access

The former Ortler Skiarena has rebranded as Südtirol Skiarena, expanding from 15 to 18 ski areas across South Tyrol and introducing a 365-day pass. The network now offers nearly 500 kilometres of terrain and positions itself as a locally focused alternative to Dolomiti Superski.

Dolomiti Superski Proposes €30 Million Refund Plan Amid Antitrust Probe While Consumer Groups Push Back

taly's competition authority is investigating Dolomiti Superski over alleged price fixing across its 12-resort network. The consortium has proposed a €30 million compensation plan covering three seasons - but consumer groups are calling it symbolic, warning that a first-come, first-served portal will leave many eligible skiers empty-handed.

Global Skier Visits Hit Record 399 Million in 2024-25 - Here's Who's Leading

The 2024-25 ski season set a new global record with 399 million skier visits worldwide - more people on snow than ever before. Nine countries account for nearly 80% of that total, with the US, France, and Austria holding the top three spots. Japan posted the biggest jump of any major market, driven largely by Australian and North American visitors chasing powder.

New Latemar Cable Car Opens in the Dolomites After €15.5 Million Investment

A brand new Doppelmayr cable car has opened at the Latemar Dolomites ski area in Italy's Val di Fiemme region, replacing a chairlift that had been running since 1988. The €15.5 million upgrade carries 2,700 people per hour and marks 50 years of cross-border ski cooperation in the region.

Two Skiers Killed in Val Ridanna Avalanche as 25 Tourers Caught on Same Slope

An avalanche at Val Ridanna in South Tyrol, Italy, struck a group of 25 ski tourers on Saturday morning, killing two and seriously injuring three others. Despite a moderate danger rating of Level 2, wind-packed snow and persistent weak layers proved deadly on the Hohe Ferse peak.

European Alps Snow Report: Multiple Resorts Record Over 1 Metre in 24 Hours — March 2026

The European Alps have just been hit with one of the more significant late-season snowfall events in recent memory. OpenSnow's Powder Finder is showing 24-hour totals ranging from 69cm to 107cm across more than 20 resorts, with the Italian Alps leading the charge. If you've got a late-season European trip coming up, the timing couldn't be much better.

Val Gardena Day 2: 25cm Overnight and Why the Dolomites Keep Delivering

Day two at Val Gardena handed over everything a fresh snow day should — 25cm overnight, a first-ever ski lesson on the Sasslong, and the Dolomites finally clearing long enough to show what all the fuss is about. Here's an honest wrap of how it actually went.

Europe's 2025–26 Avalanche Season: 119 Deaths and Why the Mountains Are More Dangerous Than They Look

Europe's 2025–26 avalanche season has become one of the deadliest in modern history, with 119 confirmed deaths before the end of February and the season still far from over. A buried weak layer formed in December, combined with successive storms dumping metres of snow on top of it, has created conditions that aren't visible from the surface. Here's a full breakdown of what happened, why, and what it means if you're planning a trip to the Alps.

First Day Skiing Val Gardena in the Dolomites: Fresh Snow, Flat Light, and Finding My Feet

A snowing first day in Val Gardena wasn't exactly the Dolomites debut I'd planned, but fresh snow across the Sellaronda terrain and a cross-resort explore from Selva to Corvara made for a solid introduction to one of the Alps' most expansive ski areas.

One Lift Ticket, Two Countries: Skiing the Aosta Valley and Accidentally Ending Up in France

What started as a straightforward ski day at Pila in Italy's Aosta Valley turned into an unplanned cross-border adventure — ski boots, bad visibility, and all. Here's how one lost bag led to an accidental day on the slopes of La Rosière, France.

Italian Worker Dies in St. Moritz Avalanche as Cross-Border Tensions Escalate

A 25-year-old Italian hotel worker has been found dead after an avalanche near St. Moritz, sparking allegations of inadequate response from Swiss authorities and adding to already strained relations between the two countries following the Crans-Montana fire disaster.

Milano Cortina 2026 Day 10 Recap: Gold, Drama and a Bittersweet Day for Australia

Day 10 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered some of the most dramatic moments of the Games so far — a 41-year-old American finally completing her Olympic set in the monobob, a Norwegian favourite's spectacular blowup on the slalom course, Dutch short track dominance continuing, and Canada claiming big air gold. For Australia, it was a day of what-ifs, with Bree Walker falling short of the podium despite being one of the pre-race favourites in the bobsleigh.

Three Experienced Freeriders Die in Val Veny Avalanche Near Courmayeur

A level 4 avalanche in the Ves Canal claimed three lives on 15 February, bringing Italy's season death toll to 25—well above the decade average. The incident occurred on a popular freeride route despite clear warnings about dangerous conditions.

Milano Cortina 2026 Day 9 Recap: Klaebo Makes History, Matt Graham Wins Bronze and Bree Walker Eyes a Medal

Day 9 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was one for the history books. Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo became the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time, Australia's Matt Graham added a bronze medal to a remarkable career, and Federica Brignone gave the home crowd their loudest roar yet with a second gold of the Games. Meanwhile, Bree Walker's monobob campaign got underway with mixed results.

Franzoni Claims Maiden Kitzbühel Downhill Win as Odermatt's Streif Drought Continues

Giovanni Franzoni delivered a career-defining performance to win the Kitzbühel downhill by seven hundredths of a second over Marco Odermatt, who remains winless on the sport's most famous course despite three runner-up finishes. The result caps a remarkable January breakthrough for the 24-year-old Italian.

Pila Opens Stella del Couis Summit Station and Complete Gondola System

Italian ski resort Pila has completed its ambitious Pila-Couis gondola project, opening the architecturally striking Stella del Couis summit station on 14 December. The new 10-seater gondola system now connects the Roman city of Aosta to an alpine summit at 2,723 metres in just 30 minutes, transforming both the skiing experience and year-round mountain tourism in the Aosta Valley.

Marco Schwarz Wins Alta Badia Giant Slalom as Lucas Braathen Takes Second for Brazil

Austria's Marco Schwarz claimed his first World Cup victory in two years at Alta Badia's Gran Risa, holding off Brazil's Lucas Braathen by 0.18 seconds in a chaotic Giant Slalom that saw pre-race favourite Marco Odermatt finish sixth and Germany's Fabian Gratz nearly pull off a massive upset.

Doppelmayr 3S Gondola Opens at Campitello di Fassa, Connecting to Sellaronda Circuit

The Dolomites have added another tri-cable gondola to their lift infrastructure, with Campitello di Fassa's new 3S installation to Col Rodella opening December 19th. The 2,200 people-per-hour system replaces older infrastructure on this key Sellaronda access point, though whether the Italian resort needed Italy's 'most modern ropeway' for what's essentially a commuter lift is another question.

Monte Bondone Resort Airlifts Snow to Slopes After Wind Strips Summit Bare

An Italian ski resort used 40 helicopter flights to transport manufactured snow to its highest runs after December winds left them bare and temperatures were too warm for snowmaking. The operation, costing potentially less than €400,000 in lost revenue, has drawn criticism from environmental groups and highlights the escalating costs of maintaining ski operations in warming winters.

Val Gardena Opens 4 December: What's Actually New for 2025/26

Val Gardena opens 4 December 2025 with access to the Dolomiti Superski network. Beyond the standard Christmas markets and World Cup racing, the resort has widened a competition piste ahead of the 2031 World Championships and added hybrid buses to its transport fleet.

Kronplatz Will Be Italy's First Ski Resort for 2024/25 Season

Kronplatz in South Tyrol opens 29 November, making it Italy's first operational ski resort this season. With the Milano-Cortina Olympics drawing attention to the country's major resorts, this 121km ski area offers an alternative for those looking to avoid the Olympic circus and accompanying crowds.

Cortina Olympic Gondola Construction Threatened by 15-Metre Crack

A 15-metre crack has appeared near the construction site of the controversial Apollino-Socrepes gondola in Cortina, Italy, raising serious concerns about the project's viability and safety ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Ikon Pass Expands to Valle d'Aosta: Analysing the Change & New Resorts

Ikon Pass adds Valle d'Aosta for 2025-26, granting access to five Italian ski areas. We examine the implications for passholders and the broader European ski market.

Global Ski Industry Rankings: Nine Countries Control 366 Million Annual Visits

The latest international ski tourism data reveals stark industry concentration, with just nine countries dominating global skiing. The USA leads with 60.5 million visits, whilst China shows explosive growth and traditional Alpine destinations face different challenges from climate change to currency strength.

Alpine Ski World Cup 2025/2026 Schedule Released

The FIS has announced the full schedule for the Alpine Ski World Cup 2025/2026 season, featuring over 80 races across iconic and new venues. The season kicks off in Sölden and concludes in Lillehammer, with the Winter Olympics in Italy as the highlight.

Aman Rosa Alpina: Luxury Ski Resort in the Dolomites Reopens

The historic Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano, Italy, is set to reopen as an Aman resort on 24 July. The renovated property features new dining options, an Aman Spa, and expanded amenities, all while preserving its alpine charm.

Best Ski Resorts in Italy: Top 15 Guide for 2025/26

Discover Italy's finest ski resorts for 2025, from the stunning Dolomites to the towering Alps. Our comprehensive guide covers the top 15 destinations offering world-class skiing, authentic Italian culture, and unforgettable mountain experiences for skiers and riders of all levels.

Passo Stelvio: Italy's Summer Ski Resort Opens May 31

Passo Stelvio, Italy's unique summer-only ski resort, is set to open from May 31 to November 2, 2025. Located on the Stelvio Glacier, it offers 20 kilometres of slopes for all skill levels.

LEITNER's ROPERA: Advancing Monocable Ropeway Technology

LEITNER introduces ROPERA, a new standard in monocable ropeways that combines enhanced performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness for ski resorts and urban transport systems.

HTI Group Maintains €1.4 Billion Sales in 2024, Boosts Investments

The HTI Group has reported stable sales of €1.4 billion for 2024, while increasing investments in R&D, employee training, and infrastructure. The company plans further expansion in urban cable car projects and winter technologies for 2025.

Dolomiti Superski's 2024-25 Season Success and 2025-26 Pricing

Dolomiti Superski reports a successful 2024-25 ski season with increased visitor numbers and changing customer demographics. The ski network also announces season dates and pricing for the upcoming 2025-26 winter season.

Carezza Dolomites Wraps Up Successful 2024/25 Ski Season

The Carezza Dolomites ski area concluded its 113-day 2024/25 winter season, reporting growth in visitor numbers and highlighting its role as a family-friendly destination.

Madonna di Campiglio Ski Area to Limit Daily Visitors

Madonna di Campiglio Ski Area in Italy will introduce a cap on daily skier entries from next winter season to address overtourism and improve slope safety.

Major Snowstorm Closes Ski Resorts and Transport Routes in Swiss Alps

A powerful late-season snowstorm has shut down ski areas and major transport routes in southern Switzerland and northern Italy, raising avalanche risks to maximum levels and isolating mountain communities.

Massive Spring Snowstorm: Over 2 Metres (6.5 Feet) of Fresh Powder Heading to European Alps

A significant spring snowstorm is set to blanket the European Alps this week, with forecasts predicting up to 2 metres (6.5 feet) of fresh powder at high-elevation ski resorts. Southern and western Alpine regions will receive the heaviest snowfall, with Zermatt, Saas Fee, and Gressoney-la-Trinite topping the charts for projected accumulation.

Courmayeur Ski Run Named After Alpine Star Federica Brignone

Courmayeur ski resort in Italy's Aosta Valley has honoured Federica Brignone by naming a ski run after her, celebrating her outstanding career and recent World Cup triumphs.

Sofia Goggia Dominates Cortina d'Ampezzo Downhill With 19th World Cup Victory

Italian skiing sensation Sofia Goggia secured her 19th World Cup Downhill victory at Cortina d'Ampezzo, outpacing Norway's Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and fellow Italian Federica Brignone. The victory showcases Goggia's masterful technique on one of the most challenging courses in women's skiing, while Team USA delivered impressive performances.

Marco Odermatt Dominates Val Gardena Downhill: Swiss Star Claims First Victory on Legendary Saslong

Swiss skiing phenomenon Marco Odermatt achieved a historic first win on Val Gardena's renowned Saslong course, leading a Swiss 1-2 finish with a masterful performance that launched him to the top of both downhill and overall World Cup standings. His flawless execution through the challenging Ciaslat section sealed a memorable victory in the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.

Revolutionary New Ski Lifts in Europe 2024: 8 Game-Changing Mountain Transport Systems

From the world's steepest aerial tramway in Switzerland to the innovative "Ropetaxi" in LAAX, Europe's ski resorts are unveiling groundbreaking lift technologies for 2024/25. Discover how these engineering marvels are transforming the mountain experience with faster speeds, greater comfort, and enhanced sustainability.

Italian Ski Resort Enhances Lift System for 2026 Winter Olympics