The 2024/2025 winter season in Pila drew to a close on a positive note on 13th April with results that confirm the resort as one of the most popular destinations in the Aosta Valley. 

Foreign visitors grew by 10% 

Thanks to its varied offering and the quality of its infrastructure, Pila has welcomed thousands of Italian and foreign visitors, consolidating its role among the most popular destinations in the Alps. The season just ended with a particularly positive January. According to regional data, the non-hotel sector recorded an increase of 15%, while foreign visitors grew by 10%. Pila also benefited from this trend, thanks to its 70 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, the new Couis 1 cable car and complementary experiences such as snowshoeing and snow parks.

The Italian Mountain Call for Proposals: a step towards the future

Among the achievements of the winter season is the €701.000 in funds from the Italian Mountain Call for Proposals for the development of tourism in theAosta, Gressan and Charvensod areas. The project aims to improve existing infrastructure, create new sustainable tourist products and enhance local traditions. The Espace de Pila Consortium aims to create a single destination that brings together the historical and cultural heritage of Aosta, the outdoor experiences of Pila and the rural and food and wine traditions of Gressan and Charvensod.  

Pila Bikeland:  an outdoor summer in the mountains

From 21 June to 7 September, Pila will be transformed into Pila Bikeland, a summer paradise dedicated to mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. With downhill and freeride trails, e-bike excursions, trekking routes and an adventure park surrounded by nature, the resort will offer experiences for sports enthusiasts, families and mountain lovers. Summer rates are already available on the website www.pila.it.

RunThrough Trails: the summer event not to be missed

With the end of the winter season, Pila is preparing for a summer full of excitement. One of the most eagerly awaited events is the RunThrough Trails, which will be held on 27 and 28 June 2025. This international trail running event offers three spectacular routes (50 kms, 21 kms and the Up & Down Race), giving athletes the opportunity to run while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Aosta Valley Alps. 

South Tyrol in winter offers endless Dolomit experiences and alternatives like these three mountain chalet hotels for exclusive relaxation.

Hotel Engel Ayurpura in Nova Levante

In Nova Levante, in Val d'Ega, the Engel Ayurpura is a boutique hotel with 15 rooms that offers Ayurvedic treatments that balance the mind, the body and the spirit with personalized and regenerating experiences in harmony with nature. Just a stone's throw from Lake Carezza and the starting point for kilometres of winter hiking and skiing trails, this design hotel has a panoramic spa, a heated saltwater infinity pool and a panoramic sauna.

Hotel Plunhof close to cross-country and biathlon trails

Hotel Plunhof is located near Ratschings, a few kilometres from Sterzing, in the Ridnaun Valley, close to 65 kilometres of of cross-country and biathlon trails. Surrounded by forests and peaks soaring to over 3,000 metres, the 4-star Hotel S is a member of Alpine Pearls, a synonym for conscious, stress-free tourism in harmony with nature. The hotel's jewel in the crown is the award-winning Minera Acqua & SPA: 4,000 square metres of  wellness inspired by over 800 years of indoor and outdoor mining traditions,  and including saunas, a steam bath, and bio and infrared saunas. 

Hotel Gnollhof- Mystic Place Dolomites

In the Isarco Valley, in Gudon, the Hotel Gnollhof is an alternative destination to the classic winter routes, with the emphasis on snowshoeing and tobogganing trails which can be reached by shuttle. Not to be missed is the wellness area with honey and essential oils treatments which has a sauna, a steam bath and an infinity pool overlooking the valley. The hotel also offers curated cuisine and the opportunity to taste the award-winning wines from the Taschlerhof family estate.

Just minutes from Aosta, Pila offers a world of winter sports and spectacular scenery. 

A paradise for skiers and snowboarders

The opening of the 2024/2025 winter season is set for 30 November 2024. With a modern cable car that connects the town to an altitude of 1,800 metres in just 18 minutes, mountain lovers can enjoy perfectly groomed slopes and breathtaking alpine landscapes. Pila is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, with 70 km of runs suitable for all levels: from blue runs for beginners to black runs for experts. And freeride enthusiasts will find exciting routes through the woods, while two safe trails are dedicated to ski mountaineering.

New for the 2024/2025 season

This winter the new Couis lift will take skiers and snowboarders from Pila to Couis 1 in just 5 minutes, eliminating waiting times, and improving the overall experience. The lift, equipped with 10-seater cabins, will replace the old chairlift which dated back to the 1980s. By December 2025 the Stella del Couis refuge at 2,700 metres will also be completed, and accessible even to non-skiers, offering unparalleled views of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Grivola and Gran Paradiso.

Culinary traditions and events 

After a day on the slopes the Aosta Valley culinary traditions awaitsvisitors with genuine flavours like the famous PDO fontina cheese, Arnad lard and local wines. There are many typical restaurants and huts in Pila serving typical dishes such as polenta, game and homemade desserts, and they are renowned for their quality cuisine and family hospitality. The season is enriched by events such as the Christmas celebrations and the I Light Pila torchlight procession on 15 February 2025, added to which there are many cultural attractions and the Marché Vert Noël Christmas market.  

For information: https://domani.pila.it

Winter in the Dolomites is an experience that goes beyond the slopes, with sports and culture for all ages.

Skiing marathons and skating competitions

January and February 2025 will again host various sporting and cultural events that attract tourists of all ages, and enthusiasts from all over the world. Among the events dedicated to cross-country skiing, the 3 Zinnen Ski-Marathon, the oldest and longest cross-country skiing marathon in South Tyrol, stands out. On 11 and 12 January over a hundred athletes will cross the municipalities of Dobbiaco, San Candido, Sesto, Villabassa and Braies, competing in the classic and skating styles. Then, on 1 and 2 February the Gran Fondo Dobbiaco-Cortina will take place, a 42 km race in classic style, or 35 km in freestyle.

Events for runners and a hot air balloon festival

Running-related events are also on the programme. On 18 January, the Winter Night Run in Dobbiaco offers two night runs from 5 ppm. to 8 p.m.: a competitive 12 km run and a non-competitive 7 km run. Also in Dobbiaco, the FIS Para Nordic Worldcup will take place from 11 to 14 February. There is no shortage of attractions for the whole family. From 5 to 12 January, the hot-air balloons of the Dolomiti Balloonfestival will fly over Dobbiaco, while in San Candido, from 20 to 22 January, visitors can watch the construction of works of art carved from snow blocks at the Dolomiti Snow Festival, the international festival of snow sculptures.

A spa resort next to the mountain ski lifts

Strategically located to fully enjoy the events, the Bad Moos Aqua Spa Resort in Sesto offers two types of packages from 5 January to 23 February: the White Weeks - Dolomites Ski Paradise for ski lovers and the Wellness for Body & Soul for those who just want to relax. The resort enjoys a privileged position at the base of the Croda Rossa mountain ski lifts, allowing guests to leave the resort with their skis on. The Soma & Anima Spa is equipped with every comfort from an indoor pool and a sauna to a sulfur grotto, and much more. For imformation: www.badmoos.it

Cervinia is the ideal destination for those who love skiing and winter sports even in summer. And the Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort reveals its most hidden side in fine weather.

Goillet Lake. Ph credits: Enrico Romanzi

A 5-star unit and two 4-star annexes with 211 rooms

The Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort is located in the heart of the Valle d'Aosta region: a prime expression of the Italian lifestyle where wellness, entertainment, good food, design, fashion and music blend in perfect harmony with the destination. 

A vibrant place, to be experienced in both winter and summer, it is nestled in the Alps at Cielo Alto, some 2,000 metres asl, and consists of a main 5-star unit flanked by two 4-star annexes for a total of 211 rooms suited to all needs.

A relaxing area with a central fireplace

The resort has spacious, welcoming and multifunctional spaces from the lobby, which is its beating heart, to the relaxing area with a central fireplace, to the theatre area where magic and entertainment come to life, to the Cervino Terrace, an outdoor area at the foot of the Matterhorn. Everything here contributes to making your holiday a true masterpiece and one to be framed among your most beautiful memories.

A temple of taste, to be pampered by food and wine experiences

The resort has three restaurants: GOU, Gargantua and Bolla Bistrot, where guests can enjoy high-altitude cuisine faithful to tradition, but also with innovative and gourmet proposals. There are also two bars: The Fire Place Bar and Lounge Bar Bolla, where guests can indulge in prestigious bubbles and the best spirits, or embark on an extraordinary journey through the art of mixology.  During the summer season the Bolla Bistrot and the Bolla Lounge Bar will be closed to guests, while the GOU will be transformed into a bistrot Italian restaurant for lunch and dinner.

Wellbeing, to rediscover oneself

A multifunctional wellness area with four zones is available for guests. The pool is equipped with loungers. The Miele Spa is a wellness path consisting of a mini hydromassage pool, sauna, bio-sauna, Turkish bath, ice cascade, emotional shower, salt wall and a relaxation area. The Technogym gym is complete with state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated personal trainer and there are treatment cabins, and a functional area for massages and beauty treatments.

A sports playground with emotions at high altitude

The resort also has a modern ski room with a Rossignol start gate for equipment hire, an exclusive VIP ski room equipped with heated lockers and a coffee station, a ski school with dedicated packages for every level, an ice skating rink and two padel courts. In addition, in summer Rossignol offers a complete e-bike service for outdoor adventures with accessory hire and equipment allowing guests to comfortably explore the area.

Gaming Room

Professionalism touches the highest peaks with entertainment

A staff of Italian artists and professionals put on a sophisticated and exclusive entertainment programme with top-class evening shows, professional performers and artists, and even DJ sets and live music. Team Valturland takes care of the little ones. The attentive and caring staff will make little guests feel they are in a happy oasis every day. And for a hi-tech immersive experience, a dedicated space, with a unique and refined design - the Gaming Room - has games, consoles and the latest generation products.

Snow and adrenaline. Nature and discovery.

Experts and enthusiasts guide guests with travel suggestions, experiences not to be missed, typical products to taste and emotions worth trying, making sure they fully enjoy their stay and connect with the territory. Cervinia offers endless sports activities and in the summer there is: Alpine skiing, golfing, trekking, horse riding (2 km from the resort), paragliding, mountaineering, canyoning, rafting, Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, mountain biking at the Matterhorn bike park, hiking to the Blue Lake, excursions to the ice cave, a picnic-adventure park and dinners at the Chalet. At the Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort guests can practice pilates, yoga, meditation, water aerobics, hydrobiking, GAG, padel, ice skating and walking accompanied by sports coaches.

 

Vipiteno in the Italian Alps is a winter paradise for skiers of all levels, and is one of the “Borghi più Belli d’Italia,” the association grouping Italy’s most beautiful towns.

Winter will soon be declared open in Vipiteno 

Winter in Vipiteno is just around the corner and will begin on 24 November with the opening of the Christmas Market, one of the original five markets in Italy’s South Tyrol. Then, on 7 December the ski season is scheduled to start in the Monte Cavallo-Rosskopf area, with skiing in nearby Ladurns available from 8 December. 

Skiing and tobogganing at Monte Cavallo-Rosskopf 

At Monte Cavallo-Rosskopf there are slopes for all levels, from the well-equipped Kinderland, with snow games for the little ones, to the numerous blue and red slopes suitable for a wide range of skiers. The jewel in the area’s crown is the Monte Cavallo cable car, which starts on the northern outskirts of the town of Sterzing and goes to 970 metres asl where the ski rental shop is located, and on to the heart of the ski area at 1,862 metres. The Monte Cavallo toboggan run breaks records as the longest snow-covered and illuminated toboggan run in Italy. At the rental shop at the cable car departure point visitors can find all the equipment they need for tobogganing. 

Ph credits: Martin Schaller

The Monte Cavallo, Ladburns and Racines lift pass

The ancient spa town of Colle Isarco offers a ski area with 18 kilometres of slopes. The fast and comfortable cable cars serve an area with a total vertical drop of 900 metres, and there is also a children's area. The Valle Isarco ski pass allows visitors to ski with a single ski pass on the slopes of Monte Cavallo, Ladurns and also in the Racines area. 

Cross-country skiing and winter hiking in the Val di Vizze 

Ph credits: Harald Wisthaler - Sterzing

In Sterzing, at an altitude of 1,500 metres, there are 25 kilometres of slopes for skating or classic technique skiing, and the cross-country ski slopes have a large parking area and a centre with rentals. Val di Vizze is also a paradise for those who are looking for quiet and picturesque places for family winter excursions on the groomed trails that run alongside the cross-country slopes. 

Ski passes cost less during the WOW Weeks 

During WOW Weeks, which run from 7 to 23 December 2023, the purchase of a 3, 4 or 5-day ski pass gives an extra day's skiing. The same promotion will be valid during the low season periods on the PREMIUM Weeks, from 7 to 27 January and from 17 March to 1 April 2024. To access these promotions enter the promotional code WOW or PREMIUM in the online shop, depending on the period. These offers are only valid online.

In the heart of the Dolomites, about 10 km from Bolzano, summer begins in May in the Val d’Ega valley, also called Eggental.

A winter wonderland that is a delight in summer

If in the winter this is a popular ski area that delights lovers of downhill and cross-country skiing as well as snowshoeing, with the reawakening of nature and its colours Carezza and Obereggen become worlds of entertainment for those who love walking or bike excursions. Between the Catinaccio and Latemar Dolomite peaks you are projected into adventures such as swimming in high.altitude lakes, horseback riding in the breathtaking South Tyrolean scenery, and trekking with llamas and alpacas.

Ph credits: Eggental Tourismus - Helmuth Rier

Mountain trails for walkers and cyclists

Walking enthusiasts will find 500 kms of hiking routes and four via ferrata old railway lines to explore in the Val d’Ega: a world studded with mountain huts and high-altitude refuges. Sinuous trails and mountain passes, valley descents and climbs that challenge even the smoothest pedalling, are a huge draw for both mountain bike fans and those who prefer the softer approach of the e-bike. 

Carezza Val D'Ega. Ph Credits Maria Gufler

A green destination par excellence

From the first rays of spring to the last of the autumn leaves, the Val d'Ega provides specialized facilities and comprehensive support to cyclists, including rentals, schools, MTB guides, bike hotels, guided MTB tours, bike parks, and bike routes. Among the many advantages of the Val d'Ega, a green destination par excellence that strives to reduce the environmental impact of tourism, is the ability to forget about the car entirely with the Guest Pass which allows free and unlimited use of public transport throughout South Tyrol for seven days.



For information: https://eggental.com/en

Subiaco, the beating heart of Rome’s Aniene valley, a treasure trove of ancient crafts, history and nature, is just 50 kilometres from Rome.

A medieval town with a mighty 11th-century fortress 

This little medieval town, the beating heart of the Aniene Valley, immersed in the Monti Simbruini Regional Natural Park, is the cradle of monasticism and printing. The first stop on our itinerary is the Rocca dei Borgia, the most important and imposing building in the historic centre of the town. The fortress was built in the 11th century to establish monastic rule over the castle of Subiaco. Equipped with fortifications, dungeons and a mighty tower, the fortress also has a small church dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle.

Subiaco

The birthplace of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia

Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia restyled the fortress in 1476, raising the fortified tower, and it was here that the cardinal's two famous children, Lucrezia Borgia and her brother Cesare, were born. Today it still preserves numerous works of high historical and artistic value, and inside the fortress we can visit the MACS - Museo delle Attività Cartarie e della Stampa (Museum of Paper and Printing Activities), which will guide us through the history of written communication and its media. 

A villa built by Emperor Nero and a town famous for its paper

Emperor Nero had his Imperial Villa built in Subiaco in 60 A.D. This luxurious summer residence extended over an area of 75 hectares, and the emperor used to take refuge here during the hot summer months surrounded by waterfalls, water features and caves.  Today, some remains of the Villa can be seen on the sides of the Via Sublacense including a cistern and numerous rooms which were baths and built with bricks and latticework. The ancient Borgo degli Opifici district is in a strategic position in the town between the Piazza Sant'Andrea square, the site not only of the Basilica of the same name but also of the Town Hall, and the Piazza Benedetto Tozzi. The Borgo dei Cartai papermakers district is an immersive museum that combines didactic enjoyment with the production of paper artefacts.

Rafting, skiing, snowboarding…and polenta! 

The limestone cliffs of Subiaco are a popular destination for climbers and hikers. One of the best ecological experiences to be had in the Aniene Valley is on a ten-seater rubber raft-style dinghy gliding along the emerald river currents. And you can stop every now and then to take a dip in the clear waters. For skiers and snowboarders the Monna dell'Orso facilities are perfect for all levels, from kids to experts, and its several slopes are divided into blue, red and a black.  Subiaco’s Sublacensis polenta, unlike the blend of polenta found in northern Italy, is thin and soft and sprinkled with a rich tomato sauce and meat, usually juicy pork ribs. 

Tobogganing, skiing and a day spa, all this is possible in the Val d'Ega in the heart of the Dolomites in the province of Bolzano. 

The Dolomites have snowfield trails for snowshoeing and hiking

This snowy wonderland is far from being the exclusive prerogative of skiers, as the Dolomites have a myriad of alternative sporting activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, sledding and wellness. The snowfields surrounding the Catinaccio and Latemar in the heart of the Dolomites are to be explored with patience and a pair of snowshoes on your feet. The snow is a carpet on which to walk through woods and pastures cushioned by a blanket of white. It is also possible to follow in the footsteps of an expert guide, on a planned excursion or booking a private snowshoe hike.  And the same goes for those who like forest hiking along snowfield trails.

Snowboarding and skiing in the Val d’Ega

Skiing and snowboarding some of the activities that come to mind, but in the Val d'Ega, sledding is also the prerogative of the downhill run. Nestled in the Dolomite landscape, between the Obereggen and Carezza ski areas, there are numerous toboggan runs of varying lengths, from easy to medium difficulty. The highlights are the famous Hubertus and the Gardonè Alpine roller coaster which are kilometres of absolute fun for young and old. Twice a week in Obereggen it is also possible to go sledging on an illuminated track until 10 p.m. The Ochsenweide cable car is the direct route to the Epircher Laner hut, the starting point for a 2.5km adventure with 280m of altitude difference.

Relaxation and pampering in a day spa

For lovers of Alpine wellness, a day at a spa in the Val d'Ega means floating in a heated pool, the intoxicating excitement of the whirlpool and the crystal-clear mountain air. Enjoying views of the snowy landscape you can choose a massage, a beauty treatment or simply a few hours of total relaxation reading a book or immersing yourself in the silence. For more information go to www.valdega.com where you can discover all the hotels and accommodation facilities that offer wellness days. 

Snowshoeing becomes gourmet in La Thuile in Italy's Aosta Valley, with the thrill of high- altitude fine dining. 

Mountain cuisine on snowshoes

When snowshoeing becomes gourmet, then those glorious days spent in the snow take on a whole new meaning. In La Thuile, the wild side of Mont Blanc, with its silences and snowy landscapes, you can enjoy some of Italy’s most extraordinary views, combining the soothing experience of snowshoeing with the flavours of mountain cuisine.

Itineraries to discover and taste local products

There is a choice of itineraries of varying difficulty and length (from 1 to 4 hours) that wind their way from La Thuile and the small hamlets of Pétosan, Les Granges, La Joux, Buic and Villaret. 

In the company of expert mountain guide Alberto Miele, an adopted Valle d'Aosta native, the delights of Mont Blanc are revealed in the evening hours. Followed by a tasting of traditional Valdostan PDO products in local restaurants. 

Gastronomic programmes for non-skiers

Those who do not enjoy sporting activities can choose to explore the specialties of Valle d'Aosta gastronomy, in particular D.O.P. products such as Fontina, Fromadzo, Lard d'Arnad and Jambon de Bosses, with the Morning D.O.P. Mountain Flavours programme at the Restaurant Les Granges, in La Thuile.

Discovering the secrets of fontina cheese and other local products

From December 2022 to April 2023 visitors can discover the Grotta delle Fontine in the Buic area, where more than 6,000 wheels of fontina cheese are stored for maturing. At the site an expert will explain the processing and maturing secrets of this extraordinary PDO cheese. This will be followed by an aperitif and a guided tasting of Valdostan products that have been awarded the Protected Designation of Origin status, at the Restaurant Les Granges, which is part of the Saveurs du Val d'Aoste circuit. For information: www.lathuile.it

Dreaming of a long weekend? Treat yourself to four days of off-piste skiing and relaxation in an Alpine village on Monte Rosa.

Skiing on Europe’s second-highest mountain 

The 4-day package of off-piste skiing and adventures from OverAlp, a tour operator specialised in outdoor activities in the mountains, takes you to Alagna Valsesia, a gem in the Piedmont Alps and to Monte Rosa. This is the great massif that straddles Italy and Switzerland, and is Europe’s second highest mountain. The Alagna 4 days off-piste all-inclusive offer combines local flavours and cultures with the adrenalin rush of four days of white adventures. La Malfatta, La Balma and the Zube Pass Canyon are all well-known names for fans of the wild, energetic and adrenalin-pumping mountains that only off-piste skiing can offer.

Heli-skiing, freeriding, ice climbing and free downhill skiing

The Valsesia is known as a freerider's paradise, amid granite canyons covered for much of the year by snow that is always abundant at over 2,000 metres. From heli-skiing, to freeriding, to ice climbing, but also ski mountaineering or free downhill, ski in complete safety, along the kilometres of slopes that swoop down from Punta Indren to the ski lifts of the picturesque villages of the Valsesia.

On the mountains in the company of certified Alpine guides

The Alagna 4 days off-piste all-inclusive will introduce you to this paradise with the flexibility and experience of UIAGM-certified Alpine guides. Before setting off for each experience the participants' avalanche safety equipment (shovel, probe, ARTVA and ABS if applicable) will always be checked, while the collective safety equipment (rope, carabiners and harness) will be provided free of charge by OverAlp. For the rest, the only limit to your imagination is the fitness of your muscles!

Stay in the Locanda Margherita di Rassa B&B

At the end of the day, having taken off your skis and boots, you will be welcomed at the beautiful Locanda Margherita di Rassa, a B&B with typical Valsesian architecture in local stone and wood. The rooms are tastefully and simply furnished and have original larch wood floors with wood-panelling in some rooms and frescoes in others.   

Four days with ski passes for groups of from 4 to 7 people 

Groups are for from 4 to 7 people for each Alpine guide with 5 nights and 4 days + afterski.  The best time of year is from the middle of December to the middle of April. Prices: 4 people €1,000 per person, 5 people, €960 per person, 6 people €920 per person and 7 people €870 per person. Included are 4 days with a certified Alpine guide, safety equipment, taxes and guide costs, 5 nights in half board at the Locanda Margherita B&B with dinner in local restaurants at special prices, and 4 days of Monterosa Ski Skipass 

Fairytale snow without stress in the Dolomites is possible, stepping outside and finding yourself right on the ski runs, without transfers, without queues and without stress. This dream comes true at the Romantik Hotel Cappella in Colfosco, an exclusive 5-star hotel in the Val Badia in the Alto Adige region.

Some of the rooms and suites have private saunas

In the heart of the Dolomiti Superski area the Romantik Hotel Cappella offers a type of hospitality that goes beyond a holiday, becoming a revitalising, unforgettable experience. Splendidly inserted into a stunning mountainous landscape, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the experience begins in the luxurious rooms and suites (from 33 to 88 sqm) with natural wood floors, picture windows and breathtaking views. Some of them also have a private sauna.

Dining on regional specialties with 400 wines to choose from

And after skiing, it's nice to take a dip in the large pool or relax in the wellness area and enjoy a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, or a saline sauna. At dinner by candlelight you can sample the specialties of Chef Paul Mittermair, who blends international cuisine with regional specialties, and sip one of the 400 wines recommended by landlord Caro Pizzinini, who is also a sommelier.

The First Snow offers are valid from 3-24 December

To open the winter season and enjoy an unforgettable experience on the snow, without stress, the First Snow offer is available from 3 to 24 December 2022. It consists of  4 days for the price of 3, including a ski pass and 4-day equipment rental for the price of 3, with 5 skiing lessons for the price of 4. Those who want a slightly longer stay can take advantage of an 8-day stay for the price of 6, including a ski pass and 8-day equipment rental for the price of 6, with 5 skiing lessons for the price of 4. Prices start from €252 per person in half board.

Taste a selection of the best South Tyrolean wines in typical ski lodges as you admire the stunning Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

South Tyrol’s finest wines and great skiing

This winter 2022/23 the Alta Badia, which is a popular ski destination in northern Italy not far from Austria and Switzerland, proposes Sommelier on the slopes. With six dates scheduled between December and April (13 December, 17 January, 7 and 14 February, 7 March and 4 April) and fabulous skiing on the slopes of the Alta Badia, there will also be with tastings of some of South Tyrol’s finest wines. The price of the tastings, including the ski guide, is €40.00 per person.

Tickets can be purchased at the ski lodges

On Sunday 26 March 2023, Alta Badia brings the best South Tyrolean wines to new heights, with an exclusive tasting which will be held from 10:00 to 15.30, at the Piz Arlara, Ütia de Bioch, I Tablà and Pralongià ski lodges. The cost of the ticket, which can be purchased directly from the four participating lodges, is €35.00 per person and includes all the wines. An exciting way to combine tasting the area’s fine wines with skiing on the sunny slopes of the Alta Badia. 

For information www.altabadia.org  

The month of December in the Laghi, Monti e Valli dell'Ossola area, in the upper Piedmont region close to the Swiss border, opens on the national holiday 8 December weekend in Santa Maria Maggiore, the main town in the Val Vigezzo valley, with the 23rd edition of the Christmas Market from 9 to 11 December. 

Visit Italy’s only Chimney Sweep museum

The magical atmosphere of the Orange Flag town will be the setting for two hundred exhibitors for a market that is among the largest in Northern Italy. And not to be missed is the famous - and unique in Italy – Chimney Sweep Museum, an ancient trade that is celebrated here, and the Feminis-Farina Perfume House, which honours the history of Eau de Cologne, the famous perfume invented by two emigrants from Santa Maria Maggiore.

credits Photographic Archive Distretto Turistico dei Laghi - Photo by Paolo Vallero

Skiing in the valley’s Neveazzurra resorts

But December also means snow and skiing, and in the Distretto Turistico dei Laghi, Monti e Valli dell'Ossola (the Ossola Lakes, Mountains and Valleys Tourist District) the Neveazzurra ski area, which comprises the Verbano Cusio Ossola ski resorts of Valli dell'Ossola, Formazza, Devero, Divedro, Antrona, Anzasca and Vigezzo. 

A single ski pass and cross country skiing

Of particular interest is the single ski pass, which can be purchased online (www.skiareavco.org), accessing an extraordinary Alpine area that stretches from an altitude of 1,000 to over 4,000 metres in the Monte Rosa massif and has 150 kilometres of slopes, served by natural and programmed snow and 50 ski lifts. Cross-country skiing is also popular in Formazza and in Santa Maria Maggiore, with a first-class competitive track, and in Valle Anzasca along the Macugnaga Fondo Signal circuit. 

Alpyland Mottarone

For those who love downhill skiing, the Macugnaga Monte Rosa ski area a little higher up has 30 kilometes of slopes and nine lifts, where you can ski while admiring the most impressive massif in the Western Alps, Monte Rosa with its 4,634 metres. 

Buses from Milan, Varese and Novara

From the beginning of December in the Ossola Valleys, it is also possible to go skiing without a car. At San Domenico Ski, which can be reached by bus from Milan, Varese and Novara, and has seven lifts and 35 kilometres of slopes, skiers will find Alpine skiing trails of varying difficulty with more than 1,100 metres of altitude difference, a snow park, and dedicated snowshoeing and ski mountaineering trails. A holiday in this very beautiful natural landscape also means relaxation, wellness, traditions and good food.

credits Photographic Archive Distretto Turistico dei Laghi - Photo by Piero Gatti

For information: www.distrettolaghi.it

The Obereggen and Carezza ski areas get ready for the 2022 winter season in the Val d'Ega.

Just 20 minutes from Bolzano, in the snow-capped landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the two ski areas are preparing for the ribbon cutting of their many facilities which are ideal for all levels, from professionals to beginners, as well as for snowboarders and families with children.

One ski pass for 111 kms of slopes

In addition to being one of the 12 ski areas of the Dolomiti Superski, the Val d’Ega is part of the Obereggen-Val di Fiemme consortium. The local ski pass covers skiing on 111 kilometres of slopes in Obereggen, Pampeago , Predazzo, Cermis-Cavalese, Alpe Lusia and Bellamonte.

Slopes for skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snowshoeing

Carezza is the most popular ski area for families with children. The facilities for little ones there include ski schools, leisure areas, a themed run, a varied program of activities and a games room. The curtain was raised in November 2021 revealing many kilometres of slopes of all colours and 12 ski lifts. The area is easy and quick to reach by cable car from the village of Nova Levante, and has also upgraded its snow-making system, offering experienced winter sports lovers and beginners alike great slopes and countless opportunities for snowboarding, sledding, skiing. cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and freestyle.

A new 60-seat cable car 

The big news for 2022 is that the Tires cable car is operational, connecting the town of San Cipriano with the Frommer mountain hut in the Carezza area. The arrival and departure stations will be underground and the spectacular 60-seat cabin has a panoramic roof terrace.