Best Places to Cross Country Ski in Italy
Lumi guest cross country skiing below the towering, snowy peaks of Italy’s Dolomites.
Some of Europe’s best Nordic skiing can be found in Italy. With a reliable snowpack, extensive trail networks, cozy mountain rifugios, and a blend of Italian and Germanic culture, Northern Italy offers something for every skier—from beginners to seasoned racers. Venture to Italy’s towering Dolomite peaks. Ski atop stunning high-alpine plateaus and visit World Cup venues.
At Lumi Experiences, we’ve spent decades skiing and guiding in the best Nordic areas in the Alps. We’ve introduced hundreds of guests to Italy’s vast cross country trail networks. Read on to discover some of our favorite spots.
There’s no shortage of fantastic groomed cross country skiing in the Dolomites.
Cross Country Ski in Toblach & Cortina
Known for its long, scenic trails framed by jagged peaks, Toblach and Cortina sit right in the heart of the Dolomites. One of the most popular nordic ski routes in this region follows an old railway corridor between Cortina and Toblach, groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Ski immaculate trails through snowy forests and across wooden bridges. Head to Toblach Nordic Arena to watch a cross country ski race and further explore the cross country ski trails around the venue.
If you’d rather race than sit on the sidelines, Lumi Experiences’ Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga trip includes a guaranteed entry in the Marcialonga and an opportunity to race in an additional Worldloppet in Austria. Two Worldloppets in one week! Or if you prefer to take things at your own pace, try our self-guided option.
Lumi offers some of the best cross country ski tours in Italy—founded by an Olympian and trusted by the nordic community.
Glide Across Passo Lavazé
The Passo Lavazé plateau is home to some of Italy’s best Nordic trail networks. The altitude at 5,900 feet, paired with vast, open terrain, and consistent grooming draw national teams from across Europe for early-season training. While it’s a favorite spot of many, there’s plenty of terrain to explore for recreational skiers.
Passo Lavazé’s loops offer wide trails, open panoramas, sheltered skiing through forested areas and views spanning the Val di Fiemme.
Hit the sauna, fill up on hearty mountain cuisine and stay in cozy family-run hotels. And be sure to say hello to the friendly community of local skiers! This is one of the best places to visit in the world of course due to the world class cross country skiing, but also due to the unique Tyrolean cultural heritage. Oh, and of course the warm apple strudel and mulled wine!
Cross country skiers pause along groomed trails on the snowy Seiser Alm, Italy.
Nordic Ski Across the Seiser Alm
Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is Europe’s largest high-elevation plateau and one of Italy’s most iconic winter destinations. Ascend via gondola to this sunny alpine meadow with over 80 km of groomed trails and unobstructed views of the Schlern and Sassolungo massifs.
We recommend pairing Seiser Alm with Austria’s Seefeld region for a two-country ski vacation. This way you can ski multiple renowned areas, enjoy wonderful food and a blend of Italian, German and Austrian culture.
Many Europeans visit the Seiser Alm for active winter vacations from snowshoeing to downhill skiing. Even those who aren’t recreating in the mountains visit to admire the spectacular winter landscape and charming winter villages. Experience the solitude and magic of the cross country loops of the Seiser Alm by day and the upbeat atmosphere in the dolomiti villages by night.
Head to the groomed trails of the Toblach Nordic Arena in Italy.
Ski in Cavalese, Val di Fiemme & Predazzo
Home to the site of the upcoming Olympic cross-country events, Italy’s Val di Fiemme has hosted multiple World Championships and hosts the famous Marcialonga course.
Cavalese, Predazzo, and the surrounding villages offer easy access to a mix of undulating valley trails and high-elevation cross country skiing. The Marcialonga route winds through picturesque towns, birch forests, and frosty rivers. This area is rich with ski-marathon history.
The region’s variety makes it an ideal spot for travelers who want skiing, culture and comfortable alpine lodging all in one place.
Planning Your Cross-Country Ski Trip to Italy
Whether you’re looking for beginner-friendly trails or marathon-style training, Italy offers endless options for cross country skiers.
If you’d rather spend your time skiing than planning the perfect itinerary to visit Italy, Lumi Experiences has years of experience crafting small-group cross-country ski trips led by expert local guides and former elite skiers. Our team has spent decades skiing Italy’s trails and we’ve crafted itineraries that feature the best terrain, huts, and cultural stops for your style of travel.
Discover our Seefeld & Seiser Alm trip, Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga trip, Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trip, or browse through our entire collection of worldwide adventures.