Ski season at ski resorts in Italy - list of new ski lifts and rules at ski resorts

Publication date

1 December 2025

Category

Skiing

Statistics

The ski season in Italian ski resorts usually begins in early December. However, since it snowed a little earlier this year and temperatures are suitable for making artificial snow, some ski resorts opened their first slopes at the end of November, e.g. Kronplatz, 3 Zinnen, Alta Badia, and Civetta. We checked out what's new at Italian ski resorts near us, when and where the Olympic Games will take place, which means more traffic on the roads and at the ski resorts, and what the situation is regarding the use of helmets and insurance when skiing in Italy.

Winter Olympics Milan - Cortina 2026

For this year's winter season in Italy, it is important to expect crowds due to the Winter Olympics Milan - Cortina, which will take place at various locations from February 6 to 22, 2026, and the Paralympics from March 6 to 15.

During this time, large numbers of tourists are expected throughout northern Italy (between Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo), particularly at the ski resorts of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Bormio, and Livigno, as well as throughout the Val di Fiemme valley, where cross-country skiing and ski jumping will take place. As a result, campsites in these areas that are open during the winter will be mostly full in February, so it is a good idea to make your reservations well in advance.

Olympic games by sport:

• Men's skiing and ski mountaineering - Bormio
• Women's skiing, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, curling - Cortina d'Ampezzo
• Cross-country skiing - Tesero, Val di Fiemme
• Ski jumping - Predazzo, Val di Fiemme
• Biathlon - Antholz / Anterselva
• Snowboarding & freestyle - Livigno
• Ice hockey, figure skating - Milan
• Speed skating - Baselga di Piné

Winter Olympic Games competition schedule >

For anyone who would like to watch any of the competitions, e.g., ski jumping, hockey men's or women's skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, etc., it is necessary to purchase tickets in advance - tickets.milanocortina2026.org

New ski lifts in Italian ski resorts

Every year, Italian ski resorts introduce many new features, so we have compiled a list of new chairlifts, gondola lifts, and cable cars in Italian ski resorts:

• Sella Nevea ski resort – replacement of the old 2-seater chairlift with a new 4-seater Gilberti chairlift
• Alta Badia ski resort – the new 10-seater La Crusc 1 gondola lift, which has replaced the old 4-seater lift (location: the first lift in Badia from the direction of Brunico, and the second new feature is in the Colfosco section, where the new 6-seater Forcelles lift has replaced the old 4-seater lift.
• Cortina d'Ampezzo Ski Resort – new Lacedel – Socrepes gondola lift for 10 people, replacing two old 4-seater chairlifts, Socrepes and Ra Freza
• Latemar Ski Resort (Predazzo, Pampeago, Oberregen) – the new 10-seater Latemar gondola lift has replaced the old 4-seater lift, making access from the valley from Pampeago faster.
• Passo San Pellegrino ski resort – new 4-seater Cima Uomo chairlift replacing the old 2-seater chairlift in the upper part of the pass on the right side of the road.
• Val di Fassa, Campitello ski resort, new 16-cabin gondola for 30 people from the Campitello - Col Rodella valley, reducing congestion in the morning on the way from the valley to the upper part of the ski resort
• Val di Fassa, Carezza ski resort – new 10-seater Franzin gondola lift replacing the old ski lift
• Val di Fassa, Canazei - Arraba ski resort – new 10-seater Lezuo-Belvedere gondola lift replacing the old 4-seater chairlift
• Folgaria ski resort - new 10-seater Francolini - Sommo Alto gondola lift replacing the old 2-seater chairlift, reducing morning congestion on the route from the valley.
• Madonna di Campiglio ski resort - new Nube d'Argento 10-seater gondola lift, replacing the more than 30-year-old 2-seater chairlift.
• Kronplatz Ski Resort – the project for the new Kronplatz 1 and 2 10-person gondola lifts, which was planned for this year, has been postponed to the 2026/2027 season, but last year a new connecting red run, Lumen, was built between the black runs Silvester and Herrnegg.

Helmets mandatory for skiing in Italy, liability insurance also mandatory

Regarding the new rules at Italian ski resorts, the main change this year is that CE-certified helmets are mandatory for all skiers, snowboarders, and sledders, regardless of age. Until now, helmets were only mandatory for children, but now they are also mandatory for adults. The penalty is €200, or a 3-day ski pass suspension.

As far as alcohol is concerned, a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille has been in force for some time for skiers, and there is a complete ban on skiing under the influence of illegal drugs. The penalty for skiing under the influence of alcohol ranges from €200 to €1,000, and if the alcohol level exceeds 0.8 per mille, it is considered a criminal offense.

Most skiers already know that in Italy, and it is also welcome in other countries, all skiers must have liability insurance. This is insurance that covers damage caused by injury to persons or damage to third-party property.

Dolomiti Superski SmartPass digital ski pass

In the 2025/2026 season, fully digital ski passes will also be available at selected ski resorts in the Dolomites.

Last year, they were tested at the San Martino di Castrozza / Passo Rolle ski resort, and this year they will also be available at the Alta Badia, Alpe Lusia / San Pellegrino, and Val di Fassa / Carezza ski resorts.

To use them, you need a smartphone and the MyDolomiti app, where you can purchase a ski pass. If you activate the SmartPass function, you no longer need to print the pass or have a physical pass. You will have the pass in your profile, turn on Bluetooth on your phone, and the system will recognize your pass even if you have your phone in your ski jacket pocket (it is recommended that you keep your phone on the left side of your body).

For more information on how the new ski pass system works, visit www.dolomitisuperski.com.