Madonna di Campiglio Ski Resort Guide
Madonna di Campiglio puts the Italy in the alpine experience. The slopes and the local villages are beautiful and are surrounded by excellent mountainous scenery in the heart of the Ademello Brenta National Park.
At just 150km, or about two hours’ drive, from Verona Catullo and Villafranca, the resort is relatively easy to get to, and well worth it for a fashionable ski holiday – Italian style.
Good for
The Resort
The resort is located in the centre of the national park, and is comprised of four linked ski areas on the slopes above the villages. There is excellent shopping, food culture, and cafés in the villages, and though venues can be quite chic and elegant, prices are not obscene and the people are warm and friendly.
Most of the clientele are fairly well-off and stylish skiers, though the four terrain parks are a popular draw for snowboarders too. The resort is popular with families, couples and singles too, as it offers something for nearly everyone, with no notable drawbacks.
On the slopes
Located in a natural bowl between the Brenta Dolomites mountain range and the Adamello and Presanella glaciers, snow reliability at this resort is excellent – especially during the prime part of the season. February is ideal. The resort has a substantial snow-making system and regularly wins awards for the quality of its grooming too, so there is little but good news when it comes to the white stuff.
The slopes spread widely around the valley, avoiding the clumped-together feel of some resorts, and instead offering a sense of being in the wilds, running down the tree-lined slopes far from the crowds and bustle of home – but with a perfect espresso or pasta dish never far away.
Though not listed in the resort stats, there is an area for absolute beginners that allows some initial practice and confidence-building before moving onto the wealth of easier blue runs. Beginners and intermediates are especially suited to the slopes of Madonna di Campiglio, but there are some decent expert runs as well, and plenty to do when not skiing.
Off-piste skiing is very limited, as the resort is located on national park land, and because natural snowfall is fairly limited in most areas.
For an economical drink after skiing, try Bar Blue and its live music scene, or DJs at Piano 54 between 6pm and 10pm. After hours, it turns into Des Alpes Mood Club and has been known to attract in an impressive list of celebrity guests. Piano 54 also features an evening of food and varied entertainment each Wednesday night.
Fine dining restaurants include Il Gallo Cedrone, in town, and Chalet Fiat, on the mountain. For something hearty and local, try Rifugio Doss del Sabion on the mountain, or Ristorante Artini in town. Artini is a family-run business and offers excellent traditional cuisine in the local style.
For a cheap bite before a night on the town, the Hungry Wolf offers burgers, sandwiches, salads and a wide range of craft beers and wines.
The resort is known as a social hub and there is always something going on, whether it’s a cultural event or display, or a vibrant party. For those whose preference is to get away from it all, this is still an excellent destination, as it is only a short distance from the villages to peaceful glades, frozen lakes, shepherd’s huts, refuges, and the area boasts more than 40km of maintained cross-country ski trails, 450km of mountain trails, and the stunning Adamello-Brenta Natural Park.
The location
Great for beginner-to- intermediate skiers, foodies, and has a wealth of activities to suit a wide range of clientele.
Stats
LIFTS
57
VERTICAL
1550-2580m
PISTES
150kmm
