Best ski resorts near Turin
Turin should be your new base of all the best skiing. Surrounded by some incredible resorts, let's discover all the adventures nearby.
Turin is a beautiful city in the region of Piedmont in Northern Italy. It is a truly special full of interesting history, unique architecture and surrounded by the snowy Alps in the distance. Turin is also famously a wealthy business hub with designer shops and amazing restaurants.
But if the Parisian-like boulevards and the hustle of the city life all gets a bit much, don’t forget the Alps are truly its next-door neighbour and you can be clipped into skis or a board at the top of a mountain in less than 2 hours. In fact, there are so many world-renowned resorts close to the city, it’s hard to know which one to choose. But we’re here to give you the 10 closest and best resorts near Turin, to make choosing a resort as simple as it will be to get there.
Turin, very much like Geneva, is a gateway to the Alps, with access to the epic ski areas of the Milkey Way and even the Three Valleys, in less than 2 hours from the city and the airport. Or if you fancy going rustic, low key and authentically Italian, then there are some incredible hidden gems that will have you heading away from the crowds and onto quiet, well-groomed long pistes.
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Getting to Turin
If you are flying into Turin airport (Turin – Caselle), you will be very impressed by the ease of actually getting into the city. Turin airport to the centre is only 20 minutes drive away, where you can get a train from the airport straight to the centre or use the efficient bus service which takes just 30 minutes. Getting to and from the airport couldn’t be easier.
If you are however, flying into Turin airport and heading straight to the Alps, then in the winter months you can very easily prebook with a transfer company that will take you from the airport straight to your resort. Alternatively, hiring a car is always a great way to explore the Alps, especially with these resorts being so close to the airport. Imagine the long open road with snowy mountains on either side and the excitement building- cheesy, we know, but blissful and would definitely recommend!
Top resorts near Turin - Quick find navigation
Sauze d'Oulx
Bardonecchia
Gressoney
Breuil - Cervinia
Sestriere
Serre Chevalier
Courmayeur
La Thuile
Champoluc
Orelle
Ski resorts near Turin- under 90 minutes away
Sauze d'Oulx
Where: Val Di Susa, Piedmont, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hour 20 minutes (86km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 400km
Elevation: 1,372 and 2,789 m.
Sauze d’Oulx is one of the closest ski resorts to Turin, and it’s also arguably one of the best resorts in Italy. In just 1 hour and 20 minutes, you will have access to the famous Milky Way ski area, which boasts a whopping 400km of slopes connecting resorts in Italy and France. You are guaranteed an exciting time in Sauze d’Oulx, with endless terrain and slopes to explore. The ski area is great for all range of abilities, but in particular, it is great for intermediates, with lots of red slopes to go after. After a big day on the mountain, you must make sure you preserve some energy to take part in some of the best apres ski you will find in Italy. Sauze d’Oulx is famous for its party scene, so you will find flocks of young revellers having a wild time.
Ridestore recommends:
Make sure to explore the full Milky Way ski area, it’s vast and exciting for those wanting to cover some ground.
Bardonecchia
Where: Val Di Susa, Piedmont, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hr 20 min (92.3 km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 100km
Elevation: 1,312 and 2,800 m.
The Turin Olympics in 2006 put Bardonecchia on the map and brought some great investment into the area, which now makes it the awesome resort that it is today. With it being so close to Turin, it is ideal for a long weekend away, so you can spend more time on the mountain than on your transfer. Surprisingly, it is also still a great resort to get away from the crowds, but still have epic terrain to go after. It is a very sunny valley that connects two ski areas together, making 100km of terrain that is perfect for beginners and intermediates. In the town, although a small resort, there are some amazing restaurants to fuel up and some great apres bars to dance the evening away.
Ridestore recommends:
You must give the ex Winter Olympic halfpipe and snow park a try.
Gressoney
Where: Piedmont, Aosta Valley, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hour 20 minutes (100km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 132km
Elevation: 1,212 and 3,275 m.
Gressoney is a lovely little town part of the incredible Monterosa Ski area. It is another hidden gem of the Aosta valley, that offers great slopes, a charming centre and a quiet mountain. The town itself is small, rustic and authentically Alpine Italian, with minimal apres but instead cosy restaurants and bars to enjoy after a big day on the mountain. Once on your skis or board, you will be impressed by the beautifully groomed and tranquil pistes, with access to neighbours Champoluc and Alagna. The beauty is also in the altitude and snow coverage, which enables some epic off-piste and deep powder action.
Ridestore recommends:
If you’re looking for serious off-piste and steep slopes for the experts and thrill-seekers, head over to neighbouring resort Alagna.
Breuil - Cervinia
Where: Aosta Valley, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hour 30 minutes (115km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 322km
Elevation: 1,562 and 3,899 m.
Cervinia is one of the most famous ski resorts in Italy, for its extensive terrain, vibrant atmosphere and snow-sure altitude. The resort sits on the Italian side of the Matterhorn, connected to the Swiss resort Zermatt. At the summit of Cervinia and Zermatt, you can reach an eye-watering 3883m, which showcases the most incredible views of the Aosta valley and the towering Matterhorn. Cervinia gets an awesome amount of snow each season, with most of its slopes sitting above the treeline, making it the perfect destination for autumn or Spring skiing, as well lots of backcountry potential. Down in the town, it is a very pretty centre but always has an exciting buzz, with plenty of excellent restaurants, fun bars and nightclubs to choose from.
Ridestore recommends:
Have lunch at the famous Rifugio on Plateau Rosa at a whopping 3500m.
Best ski resorts near Turin- under 2 hours away
Sestriere
Where: Val Di Susa, Piedmont, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hour 35 minutes (101.6km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 400km
Elevation: 1,372 and 2,789 m.
Sestriere is another major resort part of the epic 400km Milky Way ski area. It is one of the largest resorts in the Italian Alps, attracting people from all over to enjoy the endless slopes, the apres-ski and prices. Sestriere isn’t the prettiest resort, and people do not flock here for its an Italian charm, but instead, its convenience and the man-made town layout, with plenty of ski-in ski-out accommodation. You also don’t head to Sestriere to avoid the crowds like many other Italian resorts, but instead, they make the most of its vibrant atmosphere. The whole family or crew will enjoy the varied slope terrain and reasonably priced food in the mountain huts- the perfect destination to keep everyone happy.
Ridestore recommends:
If you fancy a challenge, you can hit the Kandahar Banchetta Giovanni Nasi which is an Olympic-level piste running.
Serre Chevalier
Where: Vallée de la Guisane, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France
Distance from Turin: 1 hour and 40 minutes (125km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 250km
Elevation: 1,200 and 2,800 m.
Serre Chevalier sits on the French/ Italian border but is actually a French resort, with surprisingly easy access from Turin. It’s another hidden gem that boasts a whole load of excitement. Up on the mountain, the excitement really prevails, as there are 250km of pistes, which are unique and extremely varied, so those of all abilities will enjoy winding through forests, hitting the bowls and couloirs or blasting down long open pistes. The resort is pretty snow sure, due to the north-facing slopes, so the snow sticks around for longer, which means the off-piste and backcountry enthusiasts will also be happy. The town itself is split up into several small villages which are all quaint and rustic in their own right, all connecting individually to the epic ski area.
Ridestore recommends:
Snowboarders are well looked after, with dedicated freestyle zones and a boardercross.
Courmayeur
Where: Mont Blanc, Aosta Valley, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hours and 35 minutes (150km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 41.5km
Elevation:1,205 and 2,755 m.
In just over an hour and a half from Turin, you can be strolling down the glamorous streets of Courmayeur, sipping on fine wine and tucking into some aperitivo at a streetside bar. Tucked away in the Aosta Valley, on the Italian side of the famous Mont Blanc mountain is the fabulous resort of Courmayeur. It attracts the wealthy city Italians, as well as the Russians, and this has created a very chic and fabulous resort. But life is all about balance, so don’t expect it to be all prosecco drinking and no skiing, because up on the mountain you will find thrilling steep runs and plenty of snow. If you look close enough, you will even find freeriders making the most of the off-piste and backcountry terrain.
Ridestore recommends:
Book a tour guide and do the famous Vallee Blanche into Chamonix, you don’t have to be an expert off-piste rider, but competent enough to tackle some deep powder.
La Thuile
Where: Aosta Valley, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hr 45 min (155 km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 152km
Elevation: 1,190 and 2,800 m
La Thuile is on the Italian side of the famous international duo, La Thuile/ La Rosiere which make up the San Bernardo pass. From La Thuile, you have access to 152km of slopes on both the Italian and the French side using one ski pass, and it is as simple as heading to the summit of the resort and dropping down into La Rosiere. Although, when heading back over to Italy, make sure to leave enough time for two very long drag lifts, which will put your thigh strength to the test. The beauty of this ski area (other than the views of course) is the steep and long pistes, which will challenge the intermediates and keep the experts entertained. La Thuile town is not the prettiest and is mostly man-made, but it is small and inexpensive so can be ideal for families and for those wanting to focus their time and effort on the mountain.
Ridestore recommends:
Heli-skiing is allowed in Italy, unlike in France so you can use this resort as a great base for a helicopter adventure.
Champoluc
Where: Aosta Valley, Italy
Distance from Turin: 1 hr 44 min (107.0 km)
Ski-Able Terrain: 132km
Elevation: 1212 m – 3275 m
The Aosta Valley is a gift that keeps on giving and of those gifts is the low key resort of Champoluc. It is relatively unknown to foreign tourists, despite it being part of the epic Monterosa ski area, so it is a great place to go to avoid major crowds and mass tourism. This hidden gem is authentically Italian, but without the glitz and glamour and instead a rustic, wholesome and fuss-free atmosphere. Champoluc is also enjoyed by many Freeride World Tour riders because of its amazing freeride and generous snow coverage all season long.
Ridestore recommends:
Hire a car and easily explore the many resorts in the Aosta Valley, all unique and incredible in their own right.
Orelle
Where: Maurienne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Savoie, France
Distance from Turin: 1 hr 45 mins 130km
Ski-Able Terrain: 600km
Elevation: 1,100 and 3,230 m
Orelle will be the best secret we can’t help but share with everyone, as it is truly an unsung hero of the French Alps. In under 2 hours from Turin you can be skiing in the Three Valleys, and we can hear you ask how? The Three Valley resorts are notoriously difficult to get to, but sneaky Orelle is the 4th valley few talk about but is way quicker to access. If you choose to stay in Orelle, you will get a small, traditional Alpine village without none of the crowds and the cost of staying in Val Thorens, Meribel or Courchevel. You will get the crowds up on the mountain, but the main gondola from the village will be quieter and the town will be more relaxed and authentic than the other resorts. With such easy access from Turin, which will also mean cheaper prices than flying to Geneva, it seems like a no-brainer.
Ridestore Recommends:
You can ski all the way over to the opposite end of the valley in Courchevel, which is an epic and long day out, but make sure to time your return to make the last lifts back down to resort, as getting stuck in VT will be an expensive mistake.
FAQs
Are there ski resorts suitable for beginners near Turin?
Absolutely! Resorts such as Bardonecchia offer terrain perfect for beginners, making Turin an excellent base for those looking to learn.
Which ski resort near Turin is famous for après-ski?
Sauze d’Oulx is known for its vibrant après-ski scene and attracts young crowds. It is one of the closest resorts to Turin.
Wrapping up
So there we have it, the 10 best resorts closest to Turin. These resorts truly emphasise the beauty of skiing in Italy, as they showcase some of the cutest and traditionally Italian towns, access to rustic and delicious cuisine, but all with a small price tag and minimal crowds. Sometimes it can be forgotten that ski areas in Italy can rival France and Switzerland in altitude, snow depth and extensive terrain, but clearly, Italy is just as good as the rest. But of course, don’t forget you can also head to resorts in France from Turin cheaper and quicker than Geneva. Turin is a gamechanger!
PS
Hey Riders, note from your gal Angelica here. All information was correct at the time of writing through research and extensive knowledge and experience. However, things change during different periods in the season and some websites offer out of date information and links may change.
Maybe you have some better information to offer or any addendum or changes to make, in which case, feel free to email me on angelica@ridestore.com, and we can consider adding them in! Let me know. . .
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