Pila Ski Resort Guide
The setting of Pila ski resort, looking down upon the historic town of Aosta is special. A short gondola ride from the Aosta Valleys capital brings you to the sunny slopes of Pila. Quietly going about its business Pila delivers a fantastic skiing and snowboarding experience without the fanfare of larger name ski resorts.
PILA SKI RESORT FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Providing your first impressions of Pila is impossible without talking about Aosta. Aosta is the capital of the Aosta valley and is likely to be your base for a trip to Pila ski resort. Aosta in winter has a magical feel and taking a stroll along the cobbled streets of the old town and through the Christmas markets is the perfect start to an Italian ski trip.
Pila ski resort itself is accessible by gondola from Aosta and the car-free village remains crowd-free during the week. The weekends are different with a lively Apres Scene and a wide choice of restaurants to sample. My first day snowboarding in Pila was a Sunday and the queue for the lifts were quite long.
PILA SKI AREA
Pila ski resort is accessible straight from the city of Aosta via a short (20 minute) gondola ride. The resort boasts North Facing slopes and can be devoid of crowds Monday-Friday. Pila has 70km of pistes which are mostly marked red and would delight the intermediate skier of snowboarder.
The ski area at Pila has 1000m of vertical drop and a resort altitude of 1800m. Pila is a snowsure ski resort with the upper slopes at 2700m.
The views from Pila ski area take in some of the most impressive mountains in Europe. Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Eiger, and the Matterhorn are all visible from Pila’s slopes.
BEGINNERS TERRAIN AT PILA
Beginners will enjoy the ease of learning to ski and snowboard in Pila. A designated beginner’s area is found just outside the top gondola station. Long green trails can be found at Pila ensuring beginners are not stuck in one area of the ski resort. Being able to explore, including being able to take the long green to the base of the gondola is a real highlight of learning to ski at Pila.
Never evers will start their lessons at the magic carpet around baby Pila and will progress to the Grimod area. The Grimod area has a fantastic wide blue piste which is great for beginners to get a feel for steeper more progressive ski slopes.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN AT PILA
Pila ski resort is perfect for intermediates with 70% of the Pila trail map designated as red runs. Intermediates have the choice to ski and snowboard from the very top of the Piatta de Grevon and the Pointe du Couis 2, descending via red-graded pistes.
The pistes at Pila compare favourably to other Italian ski resorts and can be incredible on sunny days. Luckily the lower mountain at Pila consists of mostly tree-lined runs which also makes Pila great for those low visibility days. My favourite runs in poor weather were off the Chamole chair which accesses red-graded terrain back to the base area and the bottom of the Pila gondola.
ADVANCED TERRAIN AT PILA
The advanced terrain at Pila ski resort is mostly found above the tree line and off the Couis 1 and Couis 2 chairlifts. Although there are only a few black-graded pistes at Pila there is challenge to be found in the trees. Sadly due to my visit being during early season, the upper mountain was not open. This provides motivation to return to Pila to further explore the upper resort.
Further to the listed trails at Pila, there are a number of designated splitboarding or ski randonnee trails, The off-piste in the region is well-regarded and the Aosta Valley offers opportunities to Heli-ski. Being able to embark on a ski tour from the upper lifts at Pila, saves some energy on the uphill which is never a bad thing.
FREESTYLE TERRAIN AT PILA
Pila has a dedicated freestyle area called Snowpark Area Effe. This terrain park was the first designated freestyle terrain in the Aosta Valley and has one awards for being amongst the best in Italy.
AreaEffe at Pila has a number of different lines that freestyle skiers and snowboarders can choose from with jumps and rails for all abilities.
The AreaEffe terrain park at Pila is situated alongside the Grand Grimod chairlift, a four-seater chair that provides the ability to lap the park effortlessly.
PILA SKI RESORT PISTE MAP
Pila Ski Resort Piste Map
LIFTS AT PILA SKI RESORT
A combination of 17 lifts are available at Pila ski resort with some upgrades needed. The lifts run fairly slowly which can cause major queues on the weekends. The small 3-person chair near the gondola top station is a particular bottleneck in the mornings. This lift is best avoided at peak times and heading up the Chamolè chair will help avoid the queues.
The gondola from Aosta is the main access point to the resort, and parking is available directly outside the base station. The Pila gondola comfortably fits 8 skiers and passes through two further stations before arriving into the resort at 1800m.
Grimod chair is a short 4-person chair that laps the park but as this area is also home to some learner’s terrain the lift is pretty slow.
The Gorraz - Grimod cable car is also available to skiers with journeys running every 15 minutes. This can be great for a quick break from the cold on those super chilly days.
PILA SKI RESORT PROS
Pila ski resort has direct access from Aosta via gondola
Intermediates will enjoy the amount of red graded terrain at Pila
Uncrowded weekday slopes - try to visit Pila on a weekday
The terrain park at Pila is great and would keep me coming back.
PILA SKI RESORT CONS
The infrastructure at Pila could do with updating. Modern lifts would improve lift lines during weekends and holidays.
PRO AND A CON
Pila ski resorts location close to Aosta brings both positives and negatives. The location close to the city provides a perfect base for a ski holiday with lots of accommodation and dining choices within easy access of the resorts gondola.
The downside of the easy access to Pila is crowds during holiday periods and weekends. Pila is a ski resort best visited outside of peak times.
TRAVEL TO PILA SKI RESORT
Getting to Pila ski resort can be much easier than my journey was, a horrid long coach trip. With that in mind, there are plenty of easier ways to access Pila and the resorts of the Aosta Valley.
International flights arrive into Torino, Milan and Bergamo with flight transfers also available from Geneva in Switzerland. From these airports self-drive is possible and I would recommend self-drive as this would allow you to visit the nearby resort of Courmayeur.
PILA SKI RESORT SNOW RECORD
Pila ski resort receives between three and four metres of snowfall per winter. The high-altitude base area at Pila (1800m) ensures that the snow lasts throughout the winter and the quality of snow on my visit was exceptional. Pila has invested in extensive snow making facilities that top up the natural snowfall in the resort.
PILA SKI RESORT LIFT PASS PRICES
A six day lift pass during peak weeks in Pila will cost €250 with day passes available for €50. To check out the latest prices and get a more accurate account of how much it costs to ski in Pila follow this link.
PILA SKI RESORT GALLERY
ACCOMMODATION AT PILA SKI RESORT
The first thing to consider when choosing your Pila ski resort accommodation is whether you want to stay in the resort or in the city of Aosta. For those wanting to stay in the resort, there are a couple of possible bases. The main resort of Pila sits at the top of the gondola at 1800m where there are a number of ski-in-ski-out options. Below the main village, there is further accommodation in the Plan Praz area. Plan plaz is the base of the ski area and provides close access to the slopes.
1200m below Pila ski resort and below the snow line is the historic city of Aosta. Aosta provides an alternative to staying in the resort and can add a certain charm to your stay. Wandering around the backstreets of the old town can result in you stumbling into some fantastic local restaurants and bars which can add to your stay but also to your waistline, so proceed with caution!
SEASON DATES PILA SKI RESORT
Pila generally opens in late November although this is rarely for the whole ski area which is more likely to open during December. The ski season in Pila runs into mid April with good snow conditions guaranteed by the resorts high altitude.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PILA SKI RESORT
I really enjoyed visiting Pila in the early season and although parts of the resort were not open there was enough to keep me occupied. I enjoyed being based in Aosta as this meant that there were plenty of evening activities to entertain me and plenty of interesting places to eat. I would like to revisit Pila when the resort is fully open.
Courmayeur Ski Resort Guide
Courmayeur is one of the premier ski resorts in Italy’s Aosta Valley. Skiing in the shadow of Mont Blanc will appeal to many with views of this historic peak available from many aspects of the resort. Courmayeur is a incredibly scenic ski resort that has an appeal for both the advanced and family skiers.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the big mountain feel and off-piste terrain. When you also consider Courmayeur’s proximity to Chamonix across the border then there are options for skiing some classic off-piste routes.
Families will appreciate the lay out of the resort with good lift access direct from the town of Courmayeur ensuring accommodation and amenities are easily accessible from the slopes.
COURMAYEUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving in Courmayeurs for my first foray into Italian ski resorts I was quickly impressed by the character of the car-free village. Surrounded by epic mountain scenery, Courmayeurs location in the valley is stunning. There are plenty of upmarket shops that were well out of my price range, but the restaurants and après ski was reasonable. I stayed across the river in Dolonne which was quiet with it’s cobbled streets and traditional housing.
COURMAYEUR SKI AREA
Courmayeurs pisted ski area is quite modest with 50km of pistes but this doesn’t do the ski area justice. Part of the Aosta Valley ski area with a combined 350km of pistes, Courmayeur is perhaps best known for it’s off-piste terrain. The ski area at Courmayeur has 1500m of vertical drop from the Arp down to Dolonne which means the top to bottom run from Youla to Dolonne is a leg burner.
The majority of the Courmayeur ski area is above 1700m with only a small beginners area down at Dolonne. With the majority of the ski area being above 1700m the snow conditions across the resort are reliable. The ski area of Courmayeur is accessible directly from the village via cable car.
COURMAYEUR SKI AREA BY ABILITY
BEGINNERS TERRAIN COURMAYEUR
Courmayeur is not the most suitable resort to learn to ski or snowboard as the majority of its terrain is geared towards advanced skiers. There are however dedicated learners area which can be used to for learning to ski and snowboard. The beginners areas have magic carpets to transport learners to the top of the the beginners runs. The progression at Courmayeur is limited for beginners with no green runs to speak of you will be moving from the bunny hill onto blue terrain.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN COURMAYEUR
Intermediates skiers will be well suited to a Courmayeur ski trip. The majority of the pistes in Courmayeur are red graded including the run back down to Dolonne. To avoid overly repeating runs, plan day trips to nearby Aosta Valley resorts.
ADVANCED TERRAIN COURMAYEUR
In terms of on piste options there are not many advanced trails. The groomed terrain is excellent and lends itself well to carving especially if you can get some early tracks.
The real appeal to advanced snowboarders at Courmayeur is the off-piste with the backcountry off the Arp and Punta Helbronner being the cream of the crop. This really is an area for those with experience and knowledge so ski within your limits or hire a guide. Being in Italy also opens up the option for heli-skiing which in the area surrounding Courmayeur offers endless opportunity.
COURMAYEUR FREESTYLE TERRAIN
Courmayeur has one park with nothing major to speak of. The terrain park at Courmayeur has kickers and rails that are perfect for your first forays into freestyle. It is likely that freestyle will not be your motivation for visiting Courmayeur ski resort but it is a nice addition to what is available off-piste.
LIFTS AT COURMAYEUR
Courmayeur has a great connection of lifts, gondolas and surface installations although some could do with updating. In total Courmayeur has 18 lifts to transport skiers around the mountain.
The resort is linked well to the town below with a cable car that rises 500m to the resort at 1704m. Whether you take the Courmayeur cable car or the parallel Dolonne Gondola you will end up at Plan Checrouit.
From here it is possible to take a series of gondolas to the top of the resort at Cresta D’Arp 2755m. The Arb cable car is old but once at the top you have some incredible perspectives of the mountains around you. It is from the Cresta D’Arp that you will access the best of the off-piste terrain at Courmayeur ski resort. There is a third entry point to the ski resort using the Val Very cable car from Entreves.
COURMAYEUR SNOW RECORD
Courmayeur is known for its off-piste skiing so you would assume it would receive plentiful snow. On average Courmayeur receives around 3-4m of snow per winter. This on on par with European freeride Mecca Verbier but falls way below the resorts of Japan or West Coast USA. The cold climate and altitude at Courmayeurs highest installations ensures that the snow quality remains good throughout the season.
COURMAYEUR PISTE MAP
COURMAYEUR SEASON DATES
The Courmayeur ski season opens towards the end of Novemeber/first week of December with the season running into late April.
COURMAYEUR LIFT TICKETS
To ski in Courmayeur you have a number of interesting lift ticket options depending on your needs.
If you want to cover the most terrain and explore a few different resorts the then Aosta Valley pass may serve your needs the best. The Aosta Valley (Valle d’Aosta) pass includes skiing in; Courmayeur Monte Bianco, Gran Paradiso, La Thuile - La Rosiere, Breuil - Cervinia (including Zermatt), Pila, Monterosa, and more. Plenty to keep yourself occupied whether for a week or a season.
You can also either choose a solitary Courmayeur pass or the Courmayeur Monte Bianco combined ski area.
Another interesting alternative to skiing in resort is Heliski Courmayeur who offer the opportunity to have an incredible off-piste experience within reach of the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc. To learn more about their packages you can check their website here.
TRAVEL TO COURMAYEUR
WHERE IS COURMAYEUR?
Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley is close to the borders of France and Switzerland. Surrounded by some of the most impressive mountain peaks in Europe Courmayeur is within a short drive of Chamonix and Mont Blanc. Turin is a popular access point for Courmayeur with an International airport.
DRIVING TO COURMAYEUR
Driving to Courmayeur is possible from France, Switzerland and of course other Italian cities. If you are driving to Courmayeur from France be prepared to pay for regular tolls and for access to the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Within Italy Turin and Milan will be the best access points.
FLIGHTS TO COURMAYEUR
If you are heading to Courmayeur by air then the airports of Milan, Turin and Geneva are your most likely entry points. All have regular flights from Europe but flights to Geneva tend to be cheaper than those to Milan and Turin. You may find that if hiring a car when you land this cost may be cheaper at the Italian airports so you will need to consider this. Geneva is the closest airport to Courmayeur but will mean crossing the border from Switzerland.
COURMAYEUR PROS
Courmayeur has incredible off-piste terrain
The scenery surrounding Courmayeur will rival most ski resorts
Courmayeur is included in the Aosta Valley pass so there are options to ski multiple resorts on the same lift ticket.
Transfers to the resort in under two hours with multiple options for flight destination.
Courmayeur makes skiing on Mont Blanc possible.
Ski in two countries on the same trip with day trips to La Thuile or La Rosiere
COURMAYEUR CONS
Courmayeur is not suited to a beginners ski holiday with little terrain for learners.
50km of terrain is ok but not huge in comparison to some other ski areas.
COURMAYEUR GALLERY
COURMAYEUR ACTIVITIES
Courmayeur is a up market town, some might say posh, with a number of expensive boutiques. Shopping in Courmayeur is popular with visitors and may be a draw for some. Similarly if you are in the mood for relaxation then heading to a Courmayeur spa could be the perfect down day activity. The Pré Saint Didier Spa near Courmayeur has an outside pool with views of Mont Blanc!
Cross country skiing is possible in Courmayeur where Val Ferret has 20km of nordic trails.
COURMAYEUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS COURMAYEUR GOOD FOR BEGINNERS
Despite having a dedicated beginners area Courmayeur is not a great resort to learn to ski at. There is very little terrain for progression so able beginners may get bored lapping the same terrain.
IS COURMAYEUR GOOD FOR SKIING?
Courmayeur has. great reputation for skiing around the world. Primarily suited to intermediates and advanced skiers and snowboarders with an interest in off-piste.
WHAT IS THE LONGEST RUN AT COURMAYEUR?
It is possible to ski from top to bottom of the resort in Courmayeur with a combination of runs that have 1500m of vertical drop!
WHAT IS COURMAYEUR FAMOUS FOR?
Courmayeur is famous for the incredible off-piste terrain and its location close to Mont Blanc in the Aosta Valley.
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Skirama Dolomiti Ski Area
In the North East of Italy you will find the Italian Dolomites, a mountain range with 21 peaks higher than 3000m. The location of the Dolomites ensures that they receive their fair share of bluebird days during winter with clear skies and sun shining the majority of the time. This makes a trip to Skirama Dolomiti particularly appealing as you will be met with beautiful weather and incredible landscapes.
Photo @Predelli
SKI RAMA DOLOMITI SKI AREA
Skirama Dolomiti is a collection of eight ski resorts all accessible via one ski pass. The pass includes the resorts of; Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo, Folgarida Marilleva, where you can ski via interconnected chairlifts. The pass also includes the resorts; Pejo, Ponte di Legno/Tonale, Paganella Ski, Monte Bondone and Alps Cimbra-Folgaria and Lavarone. You receive one weeks complimentary access to Skirama Dolomiti with an Epic Pass. The combined ski area includes 380kms of pistes accessible via 150 ski lifts.
SKIRAMA DOLOMITI SEASON DATES
With the Presena Glacier the ski season runs between November - May in the Ski Rama Dolomiti. Most of the resorts however will open in December and close Mid April.
FOLGARIDA MARILLEVA
Folgarida and Marilleva ski areas are combined to make a pretty sizeable ski area. With 60 km of pistes accessible via 25 chairlifts, with further links to neighbouring Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo increasing the area to 150 km. Folgarida Marilleva makes a great base for a ski or snowboard trip, especially as an intermediate with nearly 50% of the runs graded as red or blue. Beginners will also love Folgarida Marilleva with designated learning zones in both resorts. The remaining 13% of runs are steep black pistes that offer a challenge to even the most dedicated skiers and snowboarders
Photo @ Grzegorz Janysek
There is a small terrain park in Marilleva which at the time of my visit had two boxes and two kickers. This is a great start for beginners but would fail to maintain the interest of most. If you enjoy riding in the terrain park, instead you should take the interconnected chairlifts and head to Madonna di Campiglio where you will find a more complete snowpark.
Staying in Marilleva is a great option for those who would like direct access to the slopes with ski in ski out apartments available at Marilleva 1400. From the outside the on snow accommodation looks… well quite ugly but the location can not be argued with. Alternatively choose to stay in one of the local villages. I opted for this apartment in Castello, a short drive from Marilleva gondola with awesome views across the valley and quaint traditional housing.
@simonjburgess_
The great location and the skiable access to 150km of pistes can mean Marilleva is busy first thing. Luckily throughout the morning the crowds disperse around the different resorts meaning that lift queues are not too bad. There are still areas that bottleneck and it is worth considering when and where you stop for lunch to contrast with the main crowds.
MONTE BONDONE
Monte Bondone is a family focused ski resort that is known for its wide pistes and purpose built village. With hotels, childcare and restaurants/bars all accessible from the pistes a trip to Monte Bondone is hassle free. Monte Bondone offers night skiing between 8pm and 10:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays with access to its slopes and terrain park.
During daily operations Monte Bondone offers 21 pistes with 100% snow making capability so you can be sure of great on-piste conditions. The 20km of slopes should be enough to keep the family entertained for a weeks holiday. Make sure to check out the Gran Pista Rocce Rosse which is a 4km piste with a 800m vertical drop offering spectacular views of the Brenta Dolomites.
Monte Bondone has recently begun to focus on freestyle and offers events and competitions throughout the season in its terrain park. With the addition of a beginners funpark; with entry level features and a boarder cross track, there is lots of challenge to be found.
PEJO
Pejo is special. This historic resort has a beautiful setting in the midst of the Stelvio National Park. Operating for over 70 years Pejo is keen not to be left behind and has modern lifts including the new Pejo 3000 cable car that takes you to the resorts peak. A small resort within a short drive of Marilleva and Madonna di Campiglio, it is remarkable that Pejo isn’t affected by crowds. It’s 20km of pristine pistes were empty on my visit. The addition of the Pejo 3000 cable car allows for 1600m of vertical drop ensuring great quality of snow conditions. The cable car allows for up to 100 skiers and snowboarders to make the ascent within minutes, assuring you are not waiting for long in lines.
Although the highlight of a trip to Pejo has to be the 8 km piste from Valle della Mite down to Peio Fonti, this is not all Pejo has to offer. Pejo also has a pretty decent terrain park with small and medium size features. There is essentially two lines through the terrain park, a jib and a jump line, although it is possible to cut across both. Alongside the main park there is a fun run for kids (and adults), where you can play the piano as you ski across a flat box feature. Pejo is also a good base for beginners and has a good beginners area at the base accessible by its own chairlift.
If nearby Marilleva is fully geared up for mass tourism, Pejo is a throwback to traditional Italian mountain heritage. Away from the crowds you will still find all the amenities you could want. With accommodation, restaurants and a spa centre, Pejo will make a more calm base for a trip to Skirama Dolomiti.
PEJO TIP - IF YOU SHARE THE PEJO 3000 CABLE CAR WITH MANY SKIERS, JUST WAIT FOR TWO-THREE MINUTES AT THE TOP OF THE LIFT. YOU WILL QUICKLY SEE THE SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS DISPERSE LEAVING YOU WITH 8KM OF EMPTY PISTES.
PAGANELLA
Paganella ski resort is one of the more popular ski resorts in the Trentino region due to its location and proximity to Trento. With slopes up to 2100m, Paganella can be seen from the city and is frequented by locals. One of the draws to Paganella is its accessibility with modern lifts from both the villages of Andalo and Fai. Because of its popularity with locals and my visit occurring during school holidays, I decided not to visit Paganella due to crowds. I would love to hear your opinions if you have visited this resort as the views of Marmolada and Lake Garda are meant to be incredible.
PONTE DI LEGNO - TONALE
The resorts; Passo Tonale, Ponte di Legno and Presena glacier all combine to form the Ponte di Legno - Tonale ski area. With skiing and snowboarding possible from November into May this region offers one of the longer ski seasons in Europe. Within easy reach of Lombardy region cities Milan and Bergamo, getting to Ponte di Legno - Tonale is easy for Italians and foreign skiers alike. Ponte di Legno - Tonale is known for its high altitude skiing and its snow sure pistes.
Passo Tonale ski area is a fantastic base for a ski holiday. With access to Ponte di Legno and Presena Glacier there is plenty of terrain that can be explored, with the area of Passo Tonale offering fast lifts, a slope side village and plenty of amenities. The skiing and snowboarding in Passo Tonale is spread out along one face and can be quite clunky to get from one side to the other with traverses necessary. The runs are great and the pistes are well maintained. The highlight for me was the Adamello Snow Park, which offered an initial jump line, followed by a choice of another smaller jump line or small and medium rails and boxes. The terrain park was fairly empty with local skiers seemingly preferring to carve their way around the pistes. The lifts in Tonale can become quite busy, so this is worth considering but you can always head to Presena Glacier or Ponte di Legno for shorter lift lines.
Ponte di Legno can be reached from Tonale via a cable car. The cable car actually descends down to 1200m but it is possible to ski to 2000m in Tonale. In Ponte di Legno you will have the option to explore the Corno d’ Aola and Santa Guilia offering red and black grade runs back to the village. Ponte di Legno has numerous nearby villages so accommodation options are plentiful. The formation of the mountains in this region allow for wide steep slopes that offer endless challenge for free ride focussed skiers and snowboarders.
A visit to this ski area would be incomplete without heading to Presena Glacier. Taking the gondola from Tonale you head up to 3000m where you will find impeccable snow conditions. The Presena Glacier is a freeride dream with plenty of hiking and touring opportunities. There is the possibility to ski a 12km run from Presena Glacier down to neighbouring resort Ponte di Legno. On your winter visit to the Presena Glacier you will also find an Iglu around mid mountain that hosts concerts throughout the season. The area around the Presena Glacier is scattered with reminders of its history and its role as a battlefield during war time.
PINZOLO
Pinzolo has been focussing on developing itself as a family ski area. Recent improvements to the beginners area and children’s entertainment make it a solid choice for a family ski holiday. If you are not travelling with a family don’t let that put you off. Pinzolo also offers challenge and access to some of the best slopes in the Skirama Dolomiti region. In the shadow of the Doss del Sabion, a 2100m peak, the village of Pinzolo allows access to an incredibly sunny ski area that offers fantastic views across the valley. The network of lifts connect with neighbouring Madonna di Campiglio, via the Express Cable Car, making it possible to ski between Pinzolo and Folgarida using only ski lifts. Staying in Pinzolo and looking for a challenge, then consider testing your legs on the Pista Dolomitica which starts at 2100m and 6km later has you at 800m.
ALPE CIMBRA-FOLGARIA AND LAVARONE
Folgaria - Fiorentini and Lavarone resorts combine to make the Alpe Cimbra Ski Area with over 100km of pistes. The ski area has an array of renowned advanced runs including; Agonistica and Avéz del Prinzep. As with the other ski areas in the Skirama Dolomiti the infrastructure at Alpe Cimbra is great with modern and fast lifts. The highest point of the Alpe Cimbra allows skiing and snowboarding at 1850m allowing for good conditions with lower slopes covered by snowmaking for later in the season. In terms of freestyle there are two main terrain parks, Mazinga Snow Park and Prinze Snow Park in Folgaria and Lavarone respectively, additionally you will find a boarder cross track. If you are looking for a family ski holiday with a range of activities Alpe Cimbra-Folgaria and Lavarone could be it. Activities ranging from; sledding, fat biking, dog sledding, ice-skating and ice karting are all available.
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO
Madonna di Campiglio is the epicentre of the combined ski area that stretches from Folgarida to Pinzolo. Being the central point for access to 150km of pistes Madonna di Campiglio ski resort can be a bit pricier than its neighbours and at times pretty busy. The modern lift infrastructure around the resort, ensures that queues move quickly even if there are some areas that bottlenecks occur.
Host to annual World Cup events, there is a certain prestige associated with the slopes in Madonna. Madonna Di Campiglio is a resort that offers thrill on its steep pistes and challenge to be found on slopes where the best in the world come to compete. Additionally, Madonna is home to one of the best terrain parks in Europe, the Ursus Snow Park. Unfortunately, on my visit the park was still being built, but when its in full-flow you will find everything from ride on boxes to huge jumps. One of my favourite things about Madonna di Campiglio were the pistes. Madonna has a big apres scene, which can mean that guests to the area may be a bit slower to start their day. Getting across to Madonna di Campiglio early in the morning often meant perfectly groomed pistes and fewer crowds. Although this did change as the day progressed.
SKIRAMA PROS
Ski for free with an Epic Pass. This was a major reason in me choosing to visit Skirama Dolomiti and it is worth it for them as I really fell in love with the place so they will see my buisness again.
8 different resorts or combined areas accessible on the same lift pass! Think about that. On a weeks trip you could ski a new area every day and still not visit them all!
Skirama Dolomiti has a range of ski areas which each resort offering something different. Head to Madonna di Campiglio for steeps or Head to Pejo to avoid the crowds.
Long season with on snow activities possible between the months of November and May.
Cheap transfers available from Milan to the Skirama Dolomiti with plenty of airlines and flight options.
Plenty of accommodation options to suit all budget choice. Go big or go budget, you will still have a great time.
Most of the infrastructure is modern and the lifts are fast.
SKIRAMA CONS
Due to crowds at peak times, there can be long lift lines.
Not all resorts close together. You may prefer to have a car to increase your on snow options.
Buses between resorts are not always frequent and the timetable wasn’t that easy to follow.
SKIRAMA DOLOMITI TRANSPORT
If you are aiming to travel between; Folgarida - Marilleva, Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo you can do this via interconnected chairlifts. To reach any of the other resorts you can opt to use the bus services that run between the resorts or self-drive. I self-drove whilst in Skirama Dolomiti, I felt this gave a lot more freedom.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Before purchasing my Epic Pass for the 2019/20 season I had not heard of the Skirama Dolomiti ski area. I had enjoyed my previous snowboard trip to Italy so I decided to make this part of my Epic Pass Journey. The Skirama Dolomiti has quickly become one of my favourite places to snowboard in Europe. There is an expanse of terrain and with each resort offering something a little bit different I would highly recommend a trip to the area. The combination of quality skiing and affordability make this a great destination for any ski or snowboard trip.
DISCOVER SKI RAMA
https://www.skirama.it/en