Limone-Piedmonte together with the resorts of Limonetto and Quota -1400 make up the ski area “White Reserve” (Riserva Bianca). The main advantages of this place are proximity to large cities, the sea and low prices. In general, this is a resort for the weekend. It’s boring here for more than one day. But you can ski for a couple of days, renting a room in a traditional Italian hotel for the night. And in the evening take a walk around the cozy old town.

In Limone, everyone will be interested, both beginners and pros. Closer to Limonetto, wide red bowls open up – space for freeride. The resort is one of the oldest in Italy, there are old lifts. There are also many sports schools here, where Italian speed gnomes, future Olympians, are trained.

If you live in the area from Cannes with Nice to Monaco with Menton, Limone is the way to go, provided that you have already driven around Isola and Aron. By the way, you won’t be able to slip through the mountain passes between France and Italy. Many are closed for the winter season. So don’t trust the navigators and drive along the coast.

The Riserva Bianca ski resort is located in the municipality of Limone Piemonte and is the main winter resort in the province of Cuneo. Riserva Bianca offers tourists 80 km of ski slopes at an altitude of 1050 to 2050 meters, served by 16 lifts. The resort provides opportunities for all winter sports. It is especially popular with skiers who prefer to ski on untouched ski slopes (heli-skiing).

In addition to skiing, the resort offers opportunities for ice skating and snowshoeing, ice climbing, a golf club, a weightlifting gym, a wellness center with a swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball and football fields. The resort is very suitable for families with children, for the youngest there is a Kinder Park, where experienced instructors are waiting for children, as well as games and entertainment on trampolines. The Ligurian coast is less than an hour away by car or train from the resort.

Limone Piemonte

A small town in the province of Cuneo, with a population of about one and a half thousand inhabitants, is known as the main ski center of the province of Cuneo: majestic snow-capped mountains, more than 100 km of trails along mountain streams, slopes surrounding the town, and, of course, the total length of ski slopes (80 km) – attract numerous tourists here both in winter and in summer.

The Limone Valley is bounded to the north by the Bisalta (or Besimauda) mountains with a height of 2,231 m and the Costa Rossa (2,404 m), to the south by the Rocca dell’Abisso (2,755 m) and Colle di Tenda (1,820 m), to the east by the Cima della Fascia (2,495 m), and to the west by Ciotto Mien (2,375 m) and Monte Vecchio (1,920 m).

Limone Piedmont from above

A little history

Already at the beginning of the 20th century, Limone Piedmont was one of the first places in Italy to attract ski enthusiasts. The development of the ski area here began in 1907 with a competition between alpine shooters, and in 1909 open competitions between “civilians” were already held. Therefore, in 2007, the centenary of skiing was solemnly celebrated here.

Limone 1400

Until the opening of the railway in 1891, the main part of the population of Limone was engaged in the transportation of goods on mules, oxen, horses from the port of Nice to the Piedmont plains and back. As a result, many of the locals moved to the Côte d’Azur. Today, the local economy is based mainly on tourism – both winter and summer. Hotel occupancy here is small (only about 500 beds available), but the local population is happy to accommodate tourists in their homes, thus adding about 2,000 more beds.

The first lift here appeared in 1937, it was the simplest land cable car on skis. In 1948 the first chairlift was built, and in 1975 the ski resort “White Reserve” (“Riserva Bianca”) appeared with ski runs with a total length of 100 km. Currently, the operating ski runs cover a total of 80 km. By Christmas 2006, a new lift with cabins was inaugurated.

Limone 1400

The origin of the name Limone Piemonte is not exactly known, it is quite possible that it is not connected with the lemon, which, however, has adorned the city’s coat of arms for three centuries. According to one version, the name comes from the Greek word “Leimon”, which means “a place covered with grass, a pasture”, according to another version – it comes from the word from the Provençal-Alpine dialect “li mount”, that is, “mountains”.

Located near the Colle di Tenda pass, Limone was historically the point of contact between Piedmont and the Ligurian and Provencal coasts. Its tourist popularity also owes its proximity to places such as Sanremo, Monte Carlo and Nice, with which Limone was connected by the Cuneo-Ventimiglia-Nice railway, completed in 1928. The road, however, was destroyed by the Germans in 1945, but a year later the railway connection between Cuneo, Turin and Genoa was restored, but in the directions of Nice, Sanremo and Monaco trains started running again only in 1979. The roads, laid in 1882, have remained in working order to this day.

Local attractions

In the town square of Limone Piemonte is the parish church of San Pietro in Vincoli, built in the 14th century in stone in the late Gothic style and recently restored, with a Romanesque bell tower dating back to the 19th century. On the first Sunday in August, Limone Piemonte celebrates the day of the city’s patron saint – St. Peter in Chains.

Church of St. Peter in Chains

Among other interesting religious buildings in the city are the chapel of John the Baptist (cappella di San Giovanni Battista), the oratory of St. Anthony (oratorio di Sant’Antonio).

The historic city center of cobblestones is intended exclusively for pedestrians, there are numerous cafes offering visitors traditional local dishes.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Limone Piemonte saw dense development and expansion, but the vast majority of new buildings were purchased by Ligurian and Piedmontese tourists.

In the town of Vernant, 6.5 km north of Limone Piemonte, there is an opportunity to admire the art of “murales” – wall paintings on the houses of the whole town, dedicated to the story of Pinocchio. It was here that Attilio Mussino, the famous illustrator of Carlo Collodi’s works, spent the last years of his life. There is also a Pinocchio museum, which presents the original drawings for the fairy tale.

Murales in Vernante

A little further, 12 km north of Limone Piemonte, in the town of Robilante there is a museum of accordion, music and folk art, which exhibits musical instruments and other exhibits related to local folk music, as well as wooden sculptures by Giorgio Bertain.

In the area of the village of Roaschia, 15 km from Limone, towards the Valle Gesso valley, there are caves with interesting karst phenomena.

The Maritime Alps Natural Park, located on the territory of ancient hunting grounds, in the area of the towns of Entraccue and Valdieri, attracts lovers of tourism and mountaineering to the region. And for tourists who are going to stop and relax, traditional local “huts” are located throughout the park.

The resident of the natural park is the mountain goat

Winter holidays

Winter makes Limone unique and is of interest to lovers of trekking in its winter version – with the help of snowshoes. A total of 12 routes have been developed for this purpose, and the snowshoes themselves can be rented.

Snowshoeing

The White Reserve ski resort offers 80 km of ski slopes served by 16 lifts (one 8-seater cable car, 11 chairlifts and 4 tow lifts). Ski lifts for skiers reach a height of 2,070 meters in the Monte Alpetta area, from where, descending along a 3.8 km long track, you can directly get to Limone Piemonte, which is located exactly one kilometer below.

The resort has 40 slopes with different levels of slopes. Of these, 26 are red slopes, which are ideal for experienced skiers and will not let them get bored in the valley of the Colle di Tenda pass.

Thanks to seven blue slopes of medium difficulty, visitors have the opportunity to go down a long descent and enjoy the speed. The absence of sharp slopes makes the ride on these sections more calm and pleasant, and thanks to long straight descents, they give the opportunity to fully enjoy the picturesque beauties of the southwestern Alps.

For professionals, there are 7 black slopes with sharp turns and drops. All the trails are laid around three ridges. The central one, Limone, has an altitude of 1400 meters and lies between two other, higher ones. There is also a children’s park and a ski school with a special gentle slope, where any beginner skier can improve their skills.

The “White Reserve” is located at an altitude of 1010 – 2050 meters. It is easily accessible both by car and by train. Tired skiers can rest in one of the 12 rest areas located along the ski slopes.

Ski Center “White Reserve”

Snowboard enthusiasts will be attracted by the snow park, located at an altitude of 500 m and covering an area of about 3,500 sq. m. There is also an ice rink in the “White Reserve”.

As for beginners, the ski school instructors are ready to teach both adults and children to stand confidently on skis.

Summer leisure

In the summer, Limone Piemonte offers a wide selection of routes for active holidaymakers: for hikers – from a simple walk to more serious mountain climbs; for climbers, even the most demanding – climbs of any degree of difficulty; for mountain bikers – kilometers of convenient mountain trails.

Along the Sture and Roya rivers, fans of such extreme sports as canyoning (overcoming canyons without floating equipment, but with climbing equipment) and hydrospeed (rafting down a mountain river in a wetsuit and with flippers) will find their application.

At an altitude of 1370 km on the Valle Jessi mountain, among the rich alpine nature, there are warm mineral springs Terme di Valdieri – the highest thermal resort in Italy, located in the center of the Maritime Alps Natural Park. It operates only in summer, and the temperature of the hot spring water is 36 degrees. To improve health, sulfur caves and baths, algae, mud, procedures for the treatment of gynecological diseases, physiotherapeutic and shiatsu massages, hydromassage, aesthetic procedures are used here.

Thermal resort Terme di Valdieri

The sports center Limone Piemonte (Campo Base) also offers sports enthusiasts a climbing wall, tennis courts, basketball courts, a grass football field, a golf club, swimming pools for children and a gym for weightlifting throughout the summer.

Après-ski

The developed infrastructure of Limone Piemonte will not let its guests get bored. After skiing, tourists can relax in local alpine restaurants – there are many such establishments right next to the slopes.

For those who like to pamper themselves with exquisite Italian wines, the commune has built special bars with wines of its own production, such as Barolo and Barbaresco.

Tourists can also visit local spas, of which there are quite a few. There you can enjoy peeling, body wraps, steaming and several other special alpine treatments.

Almost all hotels are equipped with their own Finnish baths, so after a long ski trip, you have the opportunity to go home and warm up in the bathhouse.

Hotels

The tourist area Limone-Piedmonte has a modern complex of hotels, cottages and apartments. Since a large part of the population is engaged in the tourism business, finding accommodation at a fairly affordable price will not be difficult.

We have selected for you the best hotels according to reviews and ratings of tourists.

2 stars

Two-star hotels are often chosen by couples – it is usually quite quiet here, there are no noisy drinking establishments where hotel guests stay up late. In addition, the cost of a room for 3 people is also very moderate.

Petit Meuble

Petit Meuble is a small hotel in a classic Alpine style. The hotel rooms, the interior of which is made of wood, have bathrooms, TVs and Wifi. The hotel windows offer a view of the enchanting Alpine slopes.

La Casetta Del Dahu

La Casetta Del Dahu is a fairly comfortable hotel for little money. The view from the windows overlooks the ancient church. Each room is equipped with its own shower and Wifi.

3 stars

Three-star hotels are the chosen “classic” among accommodation options. As a rule, the service here is an order of magnitude higher than in 2 * hotels, but the prices are also somewhat higher. There are 4 three-star hotels in the commune.

Marguareis

The Marguareis Hotel is located in the very center of Limone Piemonte. The hotel’s great advantage is its location, just 400 meters from the train station.

Limone Palace Aparthotel

The convenient location of the Limone Palace Aparthotel allows you to take walks along the picturesque slopes after skiing. Guests can enjoy a steam room, a fitness room, bike rental and many other pleasant surprises. The hotel is located just a few steps from the train station and the bus stop to the ski slopes.

4 stars

There are two luxurious 4-star hotels in Limon-Piedmont. Of course, the prices for accommodation are quite high, but the range of services provided usually fully justifies this.

Grand Principe

Grand Principe is an incredibly beautiful stone hotel, built in the style of medieval castles. There are all the necessary amenities, a wonderful restaurant and a bar. The hotel is located right next to the Riserva Bianca ski lifts, and thanks to this, its windows offer a gorgeous panoramic view of the slopes of the Southern Alps.

Apartments and B & B

As a rule, B & B is extremely popular with young people – accommodation prices are quite affordable, and the amenities provided are quite enough for a comfortable stay.

Arrucador Boutique Lodge

Arrucador Boutique Lodge is a small bed & breakfast hotel located near the main ski lifts in the area. Guests can enjoy cozy rooms with air conditioning and daily traditional breakfasts.

La Casa dei Gatti

La Casa dei Gatti is one of the most popular accommodation options for tourists who are not used to spending large amounts of money on accommodation, preferring to spend it on excursions and entertainment. The set of amenities is standard for hotels of this type – television, bathtub, daily breakfast in the hotel dining room.

How to get there

Lemon Piedmont is located quite close to both Turin and Nice. Therefore, getting to this commune will not be a problem for you. A plane ticket from Kyiv to Turin will cost you an average of 250 euros, and to Nice – 200 euros. Далі ви самі можете вибрати найбільш зручний для вас спосіб проїзду:

На автобусі

Ціна квитка на прямий автобус з Турина в Лімоне-П’ємонте становить всього 9 доларів. Поїздка триває 1 годину 20 хвилин. Автобус 91T відправляється щогодини зі станції Torino Esposizioni.

На поїзді

Найбільш демократичний вид транспорту це поїзда. Ціна квитка на регіональний проїзд з центрального вокзалу Torino Porta Nuova до станції Limone становить 8,7 євро.

Потяги ходять щогодини, з пересадкою в Fossano, що, звичайно, не дуже зручно для туристів, зате дешево. Тривалість поїздки становить близько 2 годин.

На машині або таксі

Орендувавши автомобіль в Турині за 30-40 євро на добу, вартість витрат на паливо складе всього 20 євро, і вже через годину їзди, ви зможете насолодитися усіма принадами курорту Лимоне-П’ємонте. Обов’язково врахуйте те, що майже всі гірські перевали на зиму закриті, так що не варто довіряти дорогу своєму навігатору, краще заздалегідь створити маршрут, проконсультувавшись з досвідченими мандрівниками або місцевими жителями.

Найкомфортніше спосіб подорожі з Турина в Лімоне-П’ємонте – замовлення трансферу. Зробити це можна на сайті kiwitaxi.ru. Трансфер коштує близько 200 євро і займе близько години. До того ж, багато готелів мають свої трансфери з аеропорту Туріна (і назад) – варто дізнатися про наявність даної послуги та її вартість.