The Valchiavenna ski resort is one of the most important tourist centers in the Valtellina valley. It is located a few kilometers from the Swiss border and 140 km from Milan. Due to its special geographical position, Valchiavenna guarantees excellent snow cover throughout the winter season. Since 1996, the resort has been operating the Sky Express – an underground lift that departs from the village of Campodolcino and is able to deliver tourists to the start of the ski slopes in a few minutes.

The ski resort includes the Madesimo resort, the villages of Campodolcino, Motta, Montespluga and Val di Ley. Skiers have 60 km of downhill slopes and 18 km of cross-country ski trails at their disposal. For athletes with a good level of training, there is an opportunity to climb to a height of 2884 meters, to the Gropper peak, and test their abilities on the Canalone slope – one of the most impressive slopes in the Alps. Several slopes are specially designed for night skiing. Great places for active recreation await those who are fond of ski mountaineering and Nordic skiing. There are two ski schools for beginners, and snowboarders can enjoy a snow park in the Aquarelle area.

Madesimo – ski resort in Italy

Madesimo – an Italian ski resort in Lombardy on the border with Switzerland has the best price-quality ratio and will satisfy the most diverse requests of skiers and snowboarders.

Madesimo

The abode of celebrities

Madesimo – what is it? A prestigious resort or a mountain village? It is lost in the vast Alpine region of Valtellina – one of the five ski areas in Italy. The prestigious places of this region: Bormio – the most sports resort in Italy, Livinho – a paradise for snowboarders, the Stelvio glacier – the training ground of the Italian national team, – are located away from Modesimo.

The mountain village with a population of only 600 people is, however, the abode of celebrities who hide here from the annoying public during short vacation days. Let them travel incognito, but the infrastructure and service are maintained at their level.

On weekends, the resort becomes crowded

On weekends, the resort becomes crowded, because it is a place for family vacations for residents of the surrounding cities. Noisy Italian families with grandparents and children are attracted here by the quality of the ski slopes and affordable prices. On other days of the week, Madesimo is a pleasure of silence, beauty of nature and ideal skiing conditions.

The resort is located in the Valle Spluga valley – this is a strategic route that connected all of ancient Italy with the Swiss cantons, and the Splügenpass pass – the gateway to Switzerland – is located 15 km from Madesimo. This region is rich in historical and cultural monuments, thermal and mineral springs, there is something for the curious tourist to see here. An inexpensive, interesting and comfortable vacation awaits guests who come to rest in Madesimo.

What season is best to go

The alpine temperate-cold climate of the resort makes it possible to ski 6 months a year: from late October to late April.

In winter, the height of the snow cover ranges from 2 m at the bottom to 4.5 m in the mountains. Even in adverse weather, the snow cover remains at 300-500 cm.

The low season (autumn) begins after the first heavy snowfalls at the end of November and lasts until December 24. The unstable snow cover is maintained by snow cannons, so the slopes are always in excellent condition;

High season (Christmas holidays): December 24 – January 8;

Mid-season: January 9 – February 3;

High season (peak skiing) February 4 – March 26;

Low season (spring): March 27 – April 18-27.

A ski pass in the low season will cost 4-5 euros less than in the high season. You can save on accommodation in the high season if you book it in advance.

Slopes, lifts, ski passes

The ski area includes 50 km of slopes and also captures Campodolcino, Motta and Val di Lehi. In recent years, significant investments have been made in the resort’s infrastructure: four new high-speed four-chair lifts with plexiglass wind protection were built, two six-chair lifts, a funicular with cabins for 8 people, as well as the first underground cable car in Italy are in operation. And this, of course, is far from a complete list. Work on updating the lift infrastructure is still ongoing.

It should be noted that the ski slopes of Val di Lehi and the Colmenetta mountains are very picturesque. And for the most courageous, we recommend the Canalone slope, which is as difficult as it is beautiful. For the most adventurous skiers, for whom a whole day is not enough, we recommend night skiing in the Skiarea Valchiavenna, where night-lit slopes operate on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The lift operates from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. You can also use it to go up to the mountain refuge Rifugio Larici and have dinner at altitude.

Mountain guides offer to join night snowshoe walks in the moonlight. You will find yourself in the most panoramic corners of Madesimo, such as the Andossi ridge, the enchanted Montesplunga valley and the Motta. The guides usually choose the routes based on weather conditions and snow conditions.

Madesimo lifts

Mandesimo is located at an altitude of 1550 m, the height difference on the slopes is 1450 m. The small resort serves 58 km of trails:

15 blue – length 22 km;

9 red – length 29 km;

3 black – length 9 km.

The trail scheme combines all the slopes of the resorts of Madesimo, Campodolcino, Motta, which are part of the Valchiavenna ski area.

Black trails

The black trails of this area are among the top 10 best trails in Europe; special slalom competitions are held here – on the Motta trail, and athletes compete in giant slalom on Mount Montalto. The extreme Canalone descent with an almost vertical slope of 1000 m begins at the top of Mount Pizzo Groppera and leads to Pian di Larici, forming a very beautiful arch.

A special feature of the Valchiavenna area’s slopes is their nighttime lighting. The Pianiello/Montalto slope is attractive at night, and the lighting allows you to ski until 11 p.m.

Madesimo Landscape

Lifts

The lifts and cable car system are the pride of the resort. There are a total of 12 lifts in the resort, each with a capacity of 2-2.4 thousand people per hour. From the lowest point of the Valchiavenna valley (1,082 m), the high-speed Sky Express takes skiers to an altitude of 1,720 m in a matter of minutes to the start of the ski slopes in the Motta area.

It is important to remember that the cable car starts at half past 8 in the morning and stops at exactly 5 in the evening, although the sunlight casts long shadows by 3 in the afternoon. Everyone tries to calculate the time and catch the last flight so as not to get stuck in the mountains, which are quickly getting dark. Romantic skiing in the moonlight is possible on the illuminated slopes.

Ski passes – electronic tickets for using the lifts – are easier to buy at hotels at the place of residence. Their price depends on the season and age of the athlete.

How to get to the resort

From Milan Malpensa Airport to Madesimo in winter, shuttle buses run. Departure time and cost on request.

Ordering a transfer in advance is the most convenient way to get to Madesimo. The distance is 180 km, travel time is 2-2.5 hours, an economy class car for three costs 180-200 euros;

At Bergamo Airport you can rent a car for a week. It will come in handy at the resort, there is something to see in the vicinity: Chiavenna – a historic city, which the generals considered the “gateway to Helvetia”; Lake Como – one of the deepest and most picturesque lakes in Europe; Splügenpass – the border of Switzerland.

The most “popular” way from Milan to Madesimo: train – train – bus.

Milan – Colico by train;

Colico – Chiavenna – by train;

Chiavenna – Madesimo – by bus.

If you book your trip through a tour operator, all problems with the cost of the trip are simplified several times, but the cost can be much higher. We recommend planning your vacation yourself – it is much more comfortable and interesting, especially since there is enough information on the Internet and on our website.

Hotels – where is it better to stay

When choosing a hotel in Madesimo, we have typical requirements for all ski resorts – we expect a high level of service, typical of winter time and intensive sports activities.

The best

Many hotels offer services to restore strength after a day of skiing – swimming pools, saunas, fitness centers; abundant and varied food; comfortable bedrooms; equipment rental, dryers and equipment storage rooms; sale of ski passes, etc. The prices for accommodation in these hotels are the highest, but we are willing to pay for comfort. Examples of such hotels are:

Hotel Emet 4-star hotel

Just 150 metres from the Valchiavenna ski slopes, Hotel Emet offers free parking and a gourmet restaurant. The original rooms are decorated in a typical Alpine style.

Hotel Emet is located in the centre of Madesimo, a 15-minute drive from Lake Montespluga.

The Emet restaurant serves international cuisine and specialities from the Valtellina region.

Hotel Capriolo 3 star hotel

Hotel Capriolo is 100 metres from the ski lift and close to the Swiss border. This small 3-star hotel is located in a quiet pedestrian area in the centre of Madesimo.

Hotel Capriolo offers its guests comfortable accommodation at affordable prices. The hotel has just 8 rooms, each of which is individually decorated. No two rooms are the same. The rooms are tastefully decorated. They feature rustic wardrobes, cosy furnishings and modern amenities, including LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi.

Relax in Hotel Capriolo’s cosy bar and lobby, where you can admire the traditional mountain interior. The hotel’s restaurant and pizzeria offer local cuisine and a cosy atmosphere.

Hotel Andossi 4-star hotel

This hotel is located in a quiet area, just 400 metres from the centre of Madesimo. It offers a fully equipped wellness centre, 2 restaurants and free parking.

Rooms at the Andossi Hotel have carpeted floors and wooden furniture. Each has a private bathroom, a sofa bed and satellite TV. Some rooms also have a balcony.

The hotel’s wellness centre includes an indoor pool, sauna and Turkish bath. Beauty treatments and massages are available at an extra cost.

A buffet breakfast is served in the morning. This morning meal is served in the restaurant, which also serves dinner any day. There is also another restaurant for guests with half-board or full-board plans. It serves à la carte dishes, as well as salads and snacks from a buffet.

The advantage of staying at the Andossi Hotel in winter is its convenient location, 70 metres from the Montalto ski slopes. Guests can use the hotel’s free ski storage room with boot dryer.

Residence Deborah

Residence Deborah offers private parking, free WiFi, a garden and ski storage space. Staff can arrange ski equipment rental and ski lessons. The apartments have a balcony with mountain views.

Deborah Residence is located in the centre of Madesimo, 8 km from Lake Montespluga. The Swiss ski resort of Splaggen-Tambo is a 20-minute drive away.

All apartments at Deborah feature wooden furniture and tiled floors. Each has a kitchenette and a bathroom with shower.

The Apartment

This apartment with a terrace is located in Madesimo.

The apartment features a balcony with garden views, 1 bedroom, a living room, a TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchenette, and 1 bathroom with a bath and a bidet.

Skiing and cycling are possible near the apartments, and you can ski right to the apartment door. In addition, a ski storage room is available for guests.

Restaurants

On winter evenings, the snow-covered village of Madesimo exudes appetizing smells: restaurants and pizzerias open their doors to hungry tourists.

The most popular restaurant here – Dogana Vegia – is located on the edge of the village, but is always full of visitors. The romantic atmosphere: fireplaces, antique serving, – is complemented by local specialties prepared by a first-class chef. You can only try this in Lombardy:

Pasta “cappellacci” with asparagus;
Malfatti with mascarpone, gnocchi – dumplings – with herbs and cream cheese;
Turkey with oranges;
“Brezaola della Valtellina” – salted and dried beef;
Sforzato, Sassella – vintage wines of Lombardy.

Traditional Products

Violina di Carpa

This version of goat ham was once invented in the Splunga Valley, where the climate is particularly favorable for its production, but due to its excellent taste, it began to be made throughout the Valchiavenna.

Violina is a part of the shoulder blade or ham of a goat raised on free grazing, whose diet includes wild herbs.

The pieces of meat are soaked in brine, and then seasoned with garlic, spices and red wine. The aging must take place in the “Crotti” caves, usually used by the locals to store food, and lasts several months. The size of the finished Violina varies from 1.5 to 3 kg, depending on the size of the carcass.

Brezaola della Valtellina I.G.P

The dry and ventilated climate of the mountains with a low average temperature, for example, such as in the province of Sondò, is the main secret of the perfect taste of dried beef “Brezaola”. But besides the climate, there are several more secrets.

Pieces of raw meat are cleaned of fat, tendons, connective tissue. Then they are placed in boxes with a mixture of salt, pepper, spices and left for two weeks.

The exact composition of the mixture of spices and salt is kept in the strictest confidence. After the salting phase is over, they begin the aging process. In the mountains, it lasts 4-8 weeks, depending on the size of the piece of meat. It is during aging that Bresaola acquires its unique taste and softness. Bresaola is a lean product, rich in proteins, salts, minerals, iron, easily digestible by the body.

Winter holidays at the Madesimo ski resort are a budget-friendly option with top-level service.