While not normally an Italian tradition, winter sports and skiing in Italy are joined by the possibility of a sled dog ride in the Valdidentro, in the Valtellina region of northern Lombardy. The Valdidentro is in the province of Sondrio and for the rest of April there should be enough snow around for children to enjoy a sled dog ride.

Children wanting to have a sled dog ride are joined by an instructor in an excursion that lasts one hour. It’s open to children up to the age of 12, with two children at a time, at the price of 40 euros a person. See the Elation site for more details, and go to the Valdidentro website for information on other activities in the area.

Foto | Flickr

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After low temperatures and even some more snow over the Easter break, a little excursion through the Valtellina in a snow mobile could be just the thing to enjoy the snow-white landscape of the Italian mountains, but with warmer temperatures. In the Valchiavenna valley, travelling from Colico on Lake Como, you can enjoy a snow mobile excursion in Madesimo. Excursions are sold to groups of six people and cost about 15 euros a head. Madesimo is located in the province of Sondrio, and the excursions leave from the ski fields there, taking the Spluga Pass to the swiss border. For more details, see the elation.it site, and for more information on Madesimo and its ski fields, go to Madesimo.com. The area is located about two hours north of Milan and about half an hour from Colico and can be reached by travelling either to Colico from Lecco or meandering up the Como side of the lake.

Photo | passospluga.it

Continue reading: Last snow in Italy: Valtellina Madesimo excursions

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You can do your last skiing in Italy this month and a particularly spectacular way of finishing the ski season is with a snow shoeing expedition by night. At Comprensorio del Corno alle Scale a ‘ciaspolata‘ expedition by the light of the full moon is being organised for March 28.

The event starts in the last light of day at 6pm and finishes at night in a mountain refuge hut where you can keep warm and enjoy the camaraderie after a long hike. The expedition is accompanied by a national parks guide for the Parco del Corno alle Scale, and the hike goes to the Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi. It’s the oldest hut in the Emilia Romagna appenines and looks over the beautiful panorama of Lake Scaffaiolo at 1,817 metres. According to local folklore, throwing a stone into the lake creates an immediate storm.

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The 2010 Capital One World Men’s Curling Championship will be held at Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto this year in what could prove to be an interesting event for Italians as they get to see a sport relatively unknown to them. The curling world championships will take place from April 3 to 11 in the famous Dolomites location.

The nations participating are Canada, Norway, the US, China, Japan, Denmark, France, Germany, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the local Italian team. Showcasing the sport of curling could provide a nice boost in profile in Italy, and the chic location of Cortina d’Ampezzo is sure to make a fashion out of it come next season.

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While skiing in Italy in the lovely Dolomites region, you can also contribute to the healthy upbringing of the region’s cows by staying at one of the Residence Hotels Dolomites accommodation. Until the end of winter, anyone staying in one of the eight Residence Hotels is contributing to the wellbeing of a cow, helping it to live and graze happily throughout the summer months.

Residence Hotels are located throughout some of the Dolomites most beautiful areas: Madonna di Campiglio, San Martino di Castrozza, in the Val di Fassa and in the Val Gardena. The areas have significance to the region’s agriculture, being a source of traditional Italian alpine products and foods.

While tourists enjoying their winter skiing, and indulge in some apres ski, the cows then get to come out and play in the summer months, feasting on mountain herbs and grasses at high altitudes.

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When it comes to winter holydays in the snow or Valentine‘s day breaks, travel agents usually recommend resorts in the Alps or in the Dolomites, thus overlooking such beautiful regions as Abruzzo in central Italy. Located in the Appennine mountains (right in the heart of the Abruzzo region), the lovely town of Pescostanzo is a true corner of paradise. So if you are looking for a beautiful place where to spend a romantic weekend, you can’t afford to miss this offer by Relais ducale; their Valentine ’s day package deal includes a candle lit dinner in a beautiful chalet and snowmobile transfer from/ to the chalet (13 February). For further information go to the Relais Ducale website.

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The picturesque town of Madonna di Campiglio in the Dolomites has partly lifted the veil on its much awaited new ski area which includes amazing ski slopes in Val Rendena and Val di Sole. The Dolomites region (including Pinzolo, da Folgarida a Marilleva) which is now on the Unesco list offers an infinite number of slopes and ski trails for all levels and abilities; the only drawback is that renovation works (which include uphill mode of transport) are expected to be completed only before December 2010.

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Skiing can be hard work, but skiing in Italy is nothing but easy with plenty of health spa offerings to relax. After a day of chair lifts and black run skiing with some ice, there’s nothing better than to unwind in hot thermal springs with spas and saunas at your service.

Combining your skiing and health spa vacation in Italy is easy at the Terme di Vinadio thermal springs. It’s located in Piedmont, about 35 km from Cuneo and close to the French border.

Health spa/skiing deals include three, four or seven days with buffet breakfast, lunch on the slopes, dinner, health spa access and ski passes to the Argentera ski resort. Prices range from 290 to 770 euros a person. Try it for a Saint Valentine’s break in Italy!

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If you’re looking for a quaint town and beautiful Italian ski resort in Bolzano, region of Alto Adige, check out the town of Castelrotto in the heart of the Val Gardena. The town is one of a population of only 6,400 people, meaning you can spend an authentic ski holiday in this part of Italy.

You can spend your time either skiing on slopes up to 3,000 metres, or discover the local traditions of the Castelrotto Italian winter wonderland. Both downhill and cross country skiing is available, as well as ice skating and sled hire. See the Castelrotto.org site for more details.

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Great deals for skiing in Italy this winter continue with Alpitour offering New Year’s Eve snow weekends in the Valle d’Aosta. The deal is valid for the Ski Club Lo Stambecco at the foot of Cervinio mountain, at about 2,500 metres above sea level.

The three-star hotel has 50 rooms, and includes facilities such as a solarium, ski room, games room, disco and restaurant. It can only be reached by cable car (free for guests) and is perfect if you’re looking for a mountain ski retreat for New Year celebrations.

Currently on offer is seven nights for the price of six, with full board included. Prices start from about 528 euros a head.

Foto | Flickr

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Go skiing in Italy in December and you could save on some great ski deals. The Alta Badia area is offering three days’ ski pass for the Dolomites in the Superski zone with breakfast at the Col Alto mountain refuge and skiing in the light of dawn with fresh snow. The Dolomites superski area comprises 12 separate ski areas connected by 1,200 km of slopes and chair lifts.

You can find the Alfa Badia ski deal at “Sciare con gusto in Alta Badia“. It’s valid from December 14th to 24th and costs from 162 to 273 euros.

Photo | Flickr

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Val di Fassa has just opened its slopes and Passa San Pellegrino/ Passo Costalunga ski tracks are now available. The season has started with a series of international skiing competitions and concerts (a tradition that Val di Fassa continues every year). But the big news is that at the beginning of December (4/5 ) new ski tracks will be opened at the resort and if the 50 cm of snow, which has just fallen, shouldn’t be enough, don’t worry, artificial snow machines will ensure a fantastic ski experience!

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