Out of Town
Milan: Surprisingly a Ski Resort
Have you ever thought of Milan as an Alpine village? Without
even having to get up too early in the morning, it is possible
to reach many of the great ski resorts in the Alps just as
the ski lifts open, usually around 9 am. You can spend an
entire day going up and down the slopes or snow shoeing
through secluded trails. The best idea is to rent a car for a
day trip or even for a “white week.” If you are lucky enough
to be able to choose when to go, choose a week day; the
weekends are much more crowded and are not as much fun.
Remember, it is possible to rent ski equipment at all of the ski
resorts in Italy and Switzerland. However, if you prefer to buy
ski equipment, you may contact any of the sporting goods
stores in our listings.
Where Tips
piani di bobbio – The closest destination in
the hamlet of Barzio, 75 kilometers from
Milan, overlooking the Lake of Como, heading
towards Lecco. www.pianidibobbio.com.
Germany
Madonna di Campiglio hosts in January
the Ferrari Team and the Ducati, the other
Italian "red monster".
AUSTRIA
SWITZERLAND
● Airolo
Switzerland – North of Milan, Switzerland
is within easy reach. On the Swiss side of the
longest tunnel in Europe is the ski resort of
Airolo St. Gotthard; 160 kilometers from
Milan, with ski slopes for every level. From
December 4th it is possible to ski during the
weekends and from December 18th the lifts
are open every day. www.airolo.ch.
The most glamorous ski destination in
Switzerland is St. Moritz. It is one of the
most famous tourist locations in the world, a
place where luxury and the simple pleasures
of skiing meet. Chic, elegant and exclusive,
it offers 320 days of sunshine a year at an
altitude of 1856 meters. Its legendary dry and
exhilarating weather is the reason for it being
said to have a “champagne climate.” St. Moritz
is located 170 kilometers to the north of
Milan.
dolomiti– On the Italian side, one can choose
between the Dolomites to the east and the
Valle d’Aosta to the west. One of the most
famous ski area in the Dolomites is Madonna
di Campiglio, approximately 3 hours from
Milan (see focus beside).
PHOTO © Airolo San Gottardo
valle d'aosta – On the border with France,
you can choose between the exceptional
skiing facilities of Mont Blanc or the
Matterhorn, dividing up your time between
Courmayeur, 175 kilometers from Milan
and Cervinia, 160 kilometers from Milan.
This sportsman’s paradise boasts cuttingedge equipment and offers many other
delights.
For gambling enthusiasts, don’t forget the
Saint Vincent Casino (see listings).
France
● Cervinia
● Courmayeur
● St. Moritz
● Madonna di Campiglio
● Piani di Bobbio
● Milan
The Brenta Dolomites
If you leave Milan at 7 in the morning, you can
reach Madonna di Campiglio by around 10
am. Drive to Campo Carlo Magno (2 km from the
center) where you can park your car and rent ski
equipment. You can buy a day ski pass (about 40
euros) from one of the machines at the bottom of
the Nube d’Argento ski lift. Following an ascent of
about 40 minutes and after changing various ski
lifts you will reach the Grostè Pass at an altitude of
3000 meters. From this location you can marvel at
the hundreds of snow-capped mountains and the
endless views all around. More than 150 kilometers of slopes await you. Then have lunch at the Graffer lodge (a
couple of hundred meters from the Grostè Pass on skis) next to the magnificent mountains that rose from the sea,
millions of years ago. Don’t forget to try the “pizzoccheri” (a pasta with cheese, potatoes and vegetables). As you
head back down towards the village of Madonna di Campiglio, you will pass the Caffè Suisse and retrace the trails
that the Austrian Empress Sissi loved so dearly, then head towards the 5 Laghi ski lift and you will arrive back at your
car at Campo Carlo Magno, crossing the famous black ski slopes for expert skiers Tre Tre and Amazzonia.
Live webcam and a ski map can be found on www.madonnadicampiglio.to. Phone +39 0465 447501.
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