The summer ski resort of Passo dello Stelvio is the largest summer ski center in the Alps. A cable car takes skiers to an altitude of 2,760-3,450 meters. Unlike many other Alpine glaciers, this ski station also operates in the afternoon, remaining open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and allowing tourists, under favorable temperature conditions, to do sports all day long surrounded by impressive Alpine peaks.

Skiers flock here from late May to November, while in the winter months this high-altitude resort is closed due to difficult weather conditions and impassable roads. The Passo dello Stelvio resort is popular with many professional athletes who train here in the summer, preparing for the new ski season.

However, the resort is famous not only for summer ski holidays. This is a great place for cycling, especially the winding road built by Emperor Franz II attracts cyclists. These are walks among the untouched nature of the National Park, routes through historical places associated with the events of the First World War.

Stelvio Pass, Italy

As the famous song by Vladimir Vysotsky says, “only mountains that have not been visited can be better than mountains.” Today we want to introduce you to one of the best summer ski resorts in Italy – the beautiful Passo dello Stelvio. Skiing is in full swing, and who knows, maybe you will conquer another inaccessible peak in your life?

August is here, and vacationers’ thoughts are directed to the sea, cool breezes, clean sand and delights with local cuisine masterpieces. But experienced and tempted travelers literally head even further and higher, namely to summer ski resorts. It is here that you can calmly train, without feeling the crowding that reigns on popular ski slopes in winter – for Christmas or New Year’s holidays.

The Italian summer ski resort of Passo dello Stelvio, located on the territory of the Stelvio National Reserve in the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy, is considered one of the best not only for a full-fledged sports vacation for tourists, but also for professional training of high-class athletes involved in skiing sports.

Many champions from different countries come here to prepare for the upcoming winter season. On the slopes you can meet the most famous European athletes. Among the celebrity athletes who spent their pre-season training here at different times, one could see the Italian skier Deborah Compagnoni, the famous and charismatic skier Alberto Tomba, and the legendary Luxembourg skier of Austrian origin Marc Girardelli.

Stelvio, a summer ski resort in Italy

The Passo dello Stelvio resort operates in the warm season – from mid- or late May to mid-November. Climatically, the ski resort is covered with snow up to the level of the lifts in the winter months. With the arrival of spring, cleaning and restoration work is carried out in preparation for the new season. Therefore, sports professionals gather in the summer in Passo dello Stelvio to relax and fully train, to prepare for the winter sports season.

Of course, the beauty of the ski resort in the Alps cannot but fascinate. A cable car capable of lifting up to 3450 meters, many small comfortable hotels and restaurants for every taste will make your vacation unforgettable, as they say in glossy guidebooks. However, this is actually true. Unlike other ski resorts, the Passo dello Stelvio slopes work until the evening, which provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy skiing to the fullest. Of course, opening hours and other details will need to be clarified on site. In general, a week’s stay at the resort can cost 1000 euros per person.

In addition to skiing, cycling is also possible here, facilitated by a beautiful road designed and built in the era of Emperor Francis II.

From Passo dello Stelvio, you can easily reach various Alpine resorts, such as Bormio with its thermal springs, Val Venosta in Alto Adige and Livino, famous for its duty-free status.

Stelvio, Italy’s summer ski resort

Be sure to book a walking tour that starts directly from the hotel, in case of bad weather you can relax in the spa center with a large heated pool.

Adrenaline lovers can be advised to cross the Passo dello Stelvio pass. The pass is located in a national reserve right on the border between the regions of Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige.

However, experienced travelers advise to be extremely attentive and careful. The mountain serpentine is treacherous and sometimes unpredictable. On the Passo dello Stelvio, it is not uncommon for large trucks to stop one after another and stand for several hours before setting off again. Motorcyclists and cyclists are treated with respect here, those who have fallen are helped or patiently wait for the driver to cope with a difficult situation on the road.

The proximity to the Swiss and Austrian borders leaves its mark on the landscapes and cuisine, and the territory of the National Park is so picturesque that you want to return to Passo dello Stelvio.

Passo dello Stelvio – located in the province of Bormio, a mountain pass famous not only for its winding roads, but also for its ski slopes. Thanks to the high-altitude glacier, Passo Stelvio is a ski resort in Italy with one of the longest ski seasons. Many big names in the ski history of the Apennines took place precisely because they had the opportunity to ski from the slopes of Passo dello Stelvio not only in winter, but also in summer.

The main part of the resort’s slopes is located at an altitude of 2700 to 3500 m. Passo Stelvio itself is a long transport route in the Alps, the length of which is 24.5 km. At one time, the hosts of the famous British show Top Gear called the local road the most picturesque route on the planet. Today, there are many not only skiers, but also mountain bike fans, and simply cyclists. Stages of the famous Giro d’Italia cycling race are regularly held on Passo dello Stelvio.

However, let’s return to the skiing topic. It is worth noting that the Passo Stelvio itself is located in Lombardy, while the ski resort belongs to South Tyrol. Passo Stelvio is a ski summer in Europe. The season here is atypical for the mainland – from May to November. Six lifts operate on nine slopes, offering their services with a day ski pass. The cost of one such ski pass is about 40 euros. The capacity of the resort’s lifts allows you to transport up to 9,000 passengers per hour. Hotels and apartments in Passo Stelvio are able to accommodate 1,400 tourists at a time.

South Tyrolean cuisine, cozy chalets, an exotic mix of Italian and German cultures, a large number of historical monuments and sights – there is something to do on Passo Stelvio in addition to ski trips. At your service is the “Re Stelvio” – a mountaineering route following in the footsteps of the famous climber Fausto Coppa. It is also home to the highest mountain motorcycle rally in the world, which attracts up to 6,000 motorcyclists every year.

Where to stay

Rifugio Garibaldi

The Rifugio Garibaldi offers rooms decorated in Alpine-style hotel in the heart of the Stelvio National Park. This unique castle-hotel features a traditional restaurant serving local cuisine, a panoramic terrace, and a bicycle storage room.

Rooms at the Garibaldi are heated and feature parquet floors and a private bathroom with shower. All rooms offer views of the surrounding mountains.

The hotel has a cosy restaurant where guests can enjoy traditional Valtellina and Tyrolean cuisine. The restaurant also has a bar with a good selection of wines.

Rifugio Garibaldi features a panoramic terrace with wonderful views of the Alps. The hotel is 100 km east of Bolzano.

Hotel Livrio 3-star hotel

Set at 3,200 metres above sea level, Hotel Livrio is in the Stelvio National Park and offers direct access to the ski slopes. The hotel features a fitness centre and full-service ski facilities.

Rooms at Hotel Livrio come with satellite TV. Rooms offer panoramic views of the Ortler Valley. They are furnished with traditional mountain-style furniture.

The hotel is only accessible via the Trincherone and Livrio cable cars from the Stelvio Pass (until 16:00). Ski passes, ski equipment rental and ski storage are available on site.

The Livrio’s restaurant serves traditional mountain cuisine and Italian dishes à la carte. Breakfast is buffet style and is served in the dining room.

From the Stelvio Pass, you can reach the duty-free shops in Livigno in around 1 hour by car.

Hotel Passo Stelvio 3-star hotel

This 3-star hotel is located on the Stelvio Pass, on the border with Switzerland. You can ski right to the hotel. There is a games room and a small gym with sauna and hot tub. Rooms are decorated in a typical Alpine style.

Hotel Passo Stelvio is 50 metres from the cable car to the Stelvio ski slopes. The hotel offers ski storage, ski passes and equipment rental. A free shuttle to the ski slopes is provided.

Rooms offer views of the Stelvio Glacier, Mount Ortler or the Bormio Valley. All rooms come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom.

A buffet breakfast is served daily. The hotel also has a restaurant and a bar.

The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Bormio and is easily reached by car from the Valtellina Valley. Free outdoor parking is available.

Albergo Quarto Pirovano 3-star hotel

This 3-star hotel is located on one of the highest paved passes in the Alps, the Stelvio Pass, at an altitude of 2,784 metres above sea level. It offers a wellness centre and summer ski courses. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Albergo Quarto Pirovano is just 50 metres from the nearest cable car. From May to November, guests can take ski courses or ski lessons. During the summer season, weekly ski competitions are organised.

Albergo Pirovano features a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath and an indoor pool.

The hotel’s panoramic terrace offers views of the icy peaks and snow-capped mountains. In the evenings, the hotel hosts a disco where guests can dance.

Rooms at the Pirovano Hotel feature handmade wooden furniture and an LCD TV. Down duvets are provided.

At the Quarto Pirovano Hotel guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and free parking. The hotel also has a gourmet restaurant.

A shuttle service from Milan and the main airports is available on request during certain times of the year.

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