There are so many Italians who do not give up White Week, but the most passionate skiers use every opportunity to hit the mountains. Even an ordinary weekend can turn into a nice trip outside the city in the snow, but how to get to the ski area? Using a car is inconvenient, not very convenient, and certainly not very environmentally sustainable. This is how they are born snow trains, a reality that is becoming more and more established throughout Italy: they are convoys that go to the main ski resorts in the Alps and Apennines to allow tourists to leave in complete comfort and also enjoy the journey. Let’s find out what the main ones are news for the 2023/2024 season.
Trenitalia proposals
If you have decided to travel by train to the main mountain tourist sites, keep an eye on the different Trenitalia proposals. The novelty of the year is undoubtedly the night itinerary that connects Rome Termini and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Queen of the Dolomites”: every weekend until February 25, 2024 (and with some additional departures during the Christmas period) you can board the Rome station in the evening and travel to Calalza in the province of Belluno. The bus will then allow you to arrive at Cortina d’Ampezzo in 50 minutes from there you will be on the most beautiful slopes in Italy in the blink of an eye.
The trip there departs on Friday evening, while the return trip departs on Sunday evening. They also expect intermediate stops in Orte, Orvieto, Treviso, Ponte nelle Alpi, and Longarone-Zoldo, to expand the tourist offer. It’s an all-round experience that starts as soon as you board the train. After reservation, it is possible to dine in the bar-restaurant carriage, while the bar service remains open all night. Passengers can also choose between single or double-sleeping cabins (dinner and breakfast are included) and 4 or 6-person beds. Luggage and ski equipment are placed in a special compartment operated by the cabin crew.
Trenitalia then presented its own Winter Experience 2023, a detailed schedule of connections that allows you to travel throughout Italy (and to many European locations) and encourages travelers to choose the train, a more economical and sustainable mode of transport. The winter timetable, which started on December 10, includes up to 24,000 domestic connections and another 13,000 European connections per day. The crown jewel of the company is Red Arrow, which is about to add 2 new departures between Milan and Rome (the journey takes only 2 hours and 50 minutes). It is also part of the network that extends to beautiful artistic towns and mountain locations throughout Italy.
Another highly appreciated innovation is the Intercity night train which connects Rome Termini with San Candido to allow tourists to reach the main ski resorts of Alto Adige in complete comfort. The itinerary is available until March 30, 2024. Departs Rome on Friday and Saturday evenings, arriving in San Candido the following morning. The return is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evening. Some are available intermediate stops in South Tyrol: these are the stations of Ora, Bolzano, Bressanone, Fortezza, Brunico, and Dobbiaco – also excellent for those who want to visit the Christmas markets.
Trenord and Snowit
Also, Trenorthin’s cooperation with Snowit has a dense network of connections with the main ski resorts in Lombardy (with the Piedmontese novelty). Snow Trains are available from December 7, 2023, to April 14, 2024, and tickets can only be purchased online or in the respective apps. How does the service work? It’s very simple: the ticket can be one-day or two-day and must be used on the selected date on board one of the Trenord trains with departure from any place in Lombardy to the train station closest to the area you want to reach.
The ticket includes not only the return trip (it will be made on two consecutive days) but also a dedicated shuttle bus service to the ski resorts and ski pass. Additional services such as snowshoe rental or cable car tickets are also available. The ski areas connected by the Trenord snow trains are those of Aprica-Corteno AND Valmalencoto which are added to those of Madesimo (the service is already active), until Bobbi’s plans and Domobianca in Piedmont.
Italo and Itabus
Do you want to ski? WITH Italian, The Alps are within reach… by train: this year, a high-speed train connects the stations of Naples, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Rovigo, and Padua with the Venezia Mestre station, from which you can then continue your journey aboard the Itabus. The destinations that can be reached in this way are Longarone, Tai di Cadore, Borca di Cadore, San Vito di Cadore and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Veneto is therefore one step away from home, with its wonderful mountain resorts and numerous slopes suitable for every tourist.
Further from December 14, 2023, connecting service with the Aosta Valley. We depart, always on board high-speed trains, from the stations of Naples, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, and Milan to the station of Turin Porta Susa. From there you can take the Itabus to the cities of Aosta and Courmayeur for a truly dreamy holiday in the snow.
Historic train Ferrovia dei Parchi
Finally, if you want to have a fascinating experience aboard a historic train, don’t miss the offer offered by Ferrovia dei Parchi. We are in the heart of the Apennines, where magic is at home: from January 13 to March 10, 2024, treat yourself to a breathtaking adventure. The winter itinerary includes departure from Sulmon, with an arrival of your choice at one of three railway stops: Palena, Pescocostanzo, and Roccaraso. It is a great opportunity not only to ski but also to visit these wonderful villages nestled in the mountains.
The trip is busy with “Bombardon”, a historic locomotive that pulls ‘Centoporte’ cars from the late 1920s – as well as a luggage car used to transport suitcases and ski equipment. The staff on board provide plenty of anecdotes and curiosities about the route and the places crossed and will not be missing either musical entertainment. Departures are scheduled only on weekends, at 8:45 am with a return at 5:30 pm.
