Bormio
Bormio is considered one of Lombardy's best-equipped winter destinations. Equally, the town attracts tourists during summer thanks to its magnificent natural heritage.
Not many people know that Lombardy is the perfect destination for lovers of outdoor activities thanks to its magnificent mountain resorts. From Val Brembana to Val Camonica, from Val Sassino to Valtellina: the northern region of Lombardy is rich in valleys that welcome tourists during every season of the year. These territories are the perfect escape for those who want to take a break from daily life and enjoy relaxing days surrounded by nature.
Nestled in wonderful valleys and surrounded by unique landscapes, Lombardy’s mountain resorts offer the chance to rediscover ancient traditions, explore historic trails and enjoy wonderful days surrounded by nature. Livigno, Ponte di Legno, Bormio and Madesimo are just some of the most celebrated destinations that attract tourists from all corners of Italy.
In winter, these towns boast extensive ski resorts where you can spend splendid days in the snow, offering excellent slopes, cross-country skiing loops, snow parks, snowshoe trails and the chance to enjoy more thrilling activities such as snowkiting and fat biking.
In summer, however, these areas become the ideal destination for those who want to spend days outdoors. During the warmer months, when snow gives way to nature’s greenery, the Lombardy mountains are the perfect place for outdoor days thanks to 13,000 mountain trails, of which nearly 7,000 are marked. Activities such as hiking, cycle touring, mountain biking and horse riding combine with the discovery of small towns characterised by a long history and truly exceptional gastronomic heritage.
If you’re planning a trip to Lombardy, here’s a mini-guide to the most beautiful mountain resorts to help you choose the destination best suited to your holiday.
Considered a top destination for all skiing enthusiasts, Bormio is the jewel in the crown of Lombardy’s ski resorts. The town boasts 50 km of slopes of varying lengths and difficulty levels, a snow park, an ice rink and a curling stadium. Bormio, together with Santa Caterina Valfurva and Cima Piazzi-San Colombano, forms a single ski area that features 110 km of slopes.
The town is also the perfect destination in summer, not only for those who love hiking and walking but also for MTB enthusiasts, freeriders and downhill lovers who can have fun at the Bormio Bike Park located on Monte Vallecetta. Those seeking relaxation and wellness can treat themselves to time at one of the Thermal Centres in the town. Bormio has been famous since ancient Roman times for its thermal waters, and nowadays you can find three excellent facilities here.
Livigno is a tourist resort in Valtellina that stands at 1,816 metres altitude not far from the Stelvio National Park. Thanks to its vast tourist offering and natural landscapes, the town attracts visitors throughout the year. During winter, Livigno is the destination for many skiers who can enjoy 115 km of slopes. There are also four snow parks, a Biathlon Arena and cross-country skiing loops.
Thanks to its splendid unspoilt landscapes, the town has earned the epithet “Little Tibet” and is therefore a much-coveted destination for many Lombards even during the summer season. With its three Bike Parks, cycling paths, Adventure Parks and numerous trails, Livigno is a destination that appeals to various types of tourists. Finally, it’s worth noting that the town is an ideal spot for shopping enthusiasts as it’s a duty-free zone.
Aprica is a tourist resort that stretches between Val Camonica and Valtellina and is nestled between the Orobie Alps and the Southern Rhaetic Alps. The town’s position makes it a perfect destination 365 days a year.
In winter, Aprica is part of the Aprica-Corteno ski area, which boasts over 50 km of slopes spread across four ski areas, the possibility of night skiing thanks to the Super Panoramica del Baradello and various cross-country skiing routes. The tourist offering is completed by the hospitality and warm welcome that have always characterised this village in the province of Sondrio.
In summer, Aprica is perfect for sports enthusiasts, families and those seeking relaxation. The area also features themed trails that combine nature, history and culture, and one of the most beautiful is certainly the historic-military trail “Monte della Croce” which retraces the sites of the First World War.
Santa Caterina Valfurva is a true paradise for those who love the mountains in winter. The town boasts 35 km of slopes, cross-country skiing loops and snowshoe trails or fat biking itineraries. The resort also offers the possibility of night skiing in truly wonderful surroundings.
During the summer season, however, these mountains become the destination for many hikers and cyclists. The thrilling descents that attract many skiers in winter appeal to mountain biking and downhill enthusiasts in summer.
Madesimo is a village in the Spluga Valley nestled between the Rhaetic Alps and Lake Como. Thanks to its excellent location and fine amenities, Madesimo attracts visitors not only from all over Italy but also from Switzerland.
In winter, the town is a ski resort featuring 60 km of slopes, numerous cross-country circuits and the possibility of engaging in particular activities such as snowkiting. In addition to modern ski lifts, Madesimo offers a range of activities suitable for families with children and those who don’t ski.
If Madesimo is the ideal destination for a snowy getaway in winter, in summer it’s a coveted destination for those who love outdoor activities such as trekking, mountain biking, cycle touring, climbing and sport fishing. There’s also a riding school and a splendid golf course.
Montecampione is a famous ski resort in Val Camonica that stands at 1,200 metres altitude and offers its visitors moments of true tranquillity. Perfect at any time of year, Montecampione particularly attracts nature lovers. In winter, the ski area offers 30 km of slopes that wind between 1,200 and almost 2,000 metres altitude and are served by modern ski lifts.
In summer, many head to these areas to spend days immersed in trails combining history and nature. In Val Camonica, you’ll find numerous parks that preserve rock carvings which are a testimony to the ancient presence of the Camunians in the area. Due to their historical value, these carvings have been declared by UNESCO as World Heritage.
Ponte di Legno was one of Italy’s first ski resorts, so much so that the Ski Club Ponte di Legno was founded here in 1911, which is considered one of Italy’s first ski clubs. In 1912, the town was named “Italy’s first station for winter tourism and sports” by the Italian Touring Club.
Ponte di Legno, together with the Passo del Tonale area, forms the Adamello Ski resort, which is one of Lombardy’s most popular ski destinations. The resort boasts 4 ski areas – Ponte di Legno, Passo Tonale, Ghiacciaio Presena and Temù – spread over approximately 100 km of slopes. The area also features a snow park, various cross-country skiing centres, freeride descent routes and twenty snowshoe itineraries. Completing the offering are three ice skating rinks and sledging and bobsleigh slopes.
The area is also perfect in summer for those who love hiking, especially as it’s possible to organise excursions that combine history and nature. Here, you can undertake various treks discovering the trenches and pathways of the First World War. There are also plenty of opportunities for those who want to explore the mountains by bike, with various cycling routes and thrilling descents in the Bike Parks.
Passo del Tonale is an Alpine pass in the southern Rhaetic Alps that connects the Upper Val Camonica to the west with the Val di Sole to the east. This territory is located right on the border between Lombardy and Trentino. Passo del Tonale is a winter and summer tourist resort that also includes the Ghiacciaio Presena, which stands at 3,000 metres altitude and allows skiing throughout almost the entire year.
In summer, the area is the starting point for truly wonderful walks and treks such as those leading to the small lakes of the Presena riverbed, to the Presena Hut or to Passo Paradiso. In addition to the possibility of hiking on foot, it’s possible to explore the area by bike or e-bike. There are also many historic itineraries that allow you to retrace the events of the Italian Alpine front during the First World War. The pass is also home to the Tonale Military Shrine, which houses the remains of over 800 Italian and Austro-Hungarian fallen soldiers.
Children can have fun at the Marmot Village located right on the Tonale pass meadows where these charming little animals live. There’s a trail with five stations where the little ones can enjoy slides, wooden cabins and tunnels.
Piani di Bobbio is a ski resort in Valsassina that is very popular because it can be reached in a day trip from Milan and Brianza. This tourist destination is one of the most renowned in Lombardy also for its extensive range of services, especially for families.
Piani Bobbio, together with Valtorta, forms a ski area that boasts 35 km of slopes, a snow park and various cross-country skiing loops. Given its proximity to many towns, Piani di Bobbio is also the perfect destination for those who in summer want to escape the heat and humidity of the Po Valley. Here, it’s possible to go hiking, horse riding or cycling. Those who love mountain biking can have fun at the Bike Park Gravità 0 located at the top of Piani di Bobbio and accessible via the Barzio cable car.
Another popular Lombardy ski resort is Foppolo, located in the Bergamo Orobie area and offering an extensive choice of slopes and services. Ideal not only for skiing enthusiasts but also for spending a day in the snow, Foppolo is a tourist resort that can be easily reached in a day trip from Bergamo and Brescia.
Foppolo’s slopes combine with those of Carona Carisole and San Simone to form the Brembo Ski resort. In addition to skiers, the resort is very popular with those who want to try Telemark and cross-country skiing enthusiasts, thanks to the presence of a two-and-a-half-kilometre loop at the Convento location.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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