There are 15 Italian ski resorts with ski lifts open for the 2014 Immaculate Conception long weekend—a low number compared to early December 2013, when most ski resorts had already been operating for several weeks.
Temperature inversion and snow confined solely to high-altitude resorts have held back lift openings; despite this, several resorts have still managed to kick off the season.
Here is where you can ski over the Immaculate Conception weekend:
Aosta Valley
Cervinia
The slopes at the foot of the Matterhorn have been well covered in snow for several weeks now, making the resort one of the best destinations for this holiday weekend.
www.cervinia.it
Monterosa Ski / Gressoney
Bolstered by its high average altitude, the Monterosa Ski area opened its lifts a week ago on both the Aosta Valley and Piedmont sides. Snow cover is excellent across the entire upper section.
www.monterosa-ski.com
Piedmont
San Domenico
After a start to the season featuring record snowfalls—over 2 meters of snow in just a few hours—San Domenico kicks off its season on Saturday, December 6. Also making its debut is the new six-seater chairlift.
www.sandomenicoski.com
Macugnaga
On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, slopes are open on Monte Moro, where there are over 2.60 meters of snow. The cable cars running from the village up to the high-altitude slopes are open, along with the drag lift and chairlift, serving the San Pietro, Lago, and Ruppenstein slopes. Ski pass priced at €24 instead of €26.
www.macugnaga-monterosa.it
Monterosa Ski / Alagna
www.freerideparadise.it
Lombardy
Livigno
Recent snowfalls have given Livigno a Christmas feel, and with the freezing temperatures of recent hours the snowmaking system is completing the job by covering the valley slopes as well; lifts are open in both the Carosello 3000 and Mottolino ski areas. Promotional ski pass rates available.
www.livigno.eu
Madesimo
The late-November snowfalls enabled the opening of Madesimo, one of the first resorts to welcome skiers at the start of the season. Snow conditions are good in the upper section.
www.skiareavalchiavenna.it
Bormio
Another Alta Valtellina resort, Bormio has also opened its ski lifts in the upper section, featuring promotional ski pass rates and nearly 1 meter of snow at high altitude.
www.bormioski.eu
Santa Caterina Valfurva
A stop on the 2014/15 Alpine Ski World Cup, Santa Caterina wasted no time opening its slopes and kicked off its season several days ago.
www.sci-santacaterina.it
Adamello Ski
Following the opening of the Presena Glacier—now literally buried in snow—the season has also begun at Passo del Tonale. Only a few lifts are open so far given the time of year, yet Adamello Ski remains one of the few skiable destinations for this holiday weekend.
www.adamelloski.com
Trentino Alto Adige
Val Senales
The Val Senales glacier started its ski season back on September 19; snow is now plentiful and you can ski on 15 km of slopes.
www.valsenales.com
Solda all’Ortles
With an altitude rising from 2000 meters in the village up to 3200 m on the high-altitude slopes and snow levels that put Italy’s top ski resorts to shame, Solda offers 22 km of perfectly snow-covered slopes and a mid-winter panorama.
www.seilbahnensulden.it/
Plan de Corones
Several ski lifts open but only one slope available to skiers: Plan de Corones begins the season on a modest note while still ensuring some skiing for those who had planned trips to the Alto Adige resort.
www.plandecorones.com
Madonna di Campiglio
Well covered in snow and offering a 30% discount on ski passes, the Immaculate Conception weekend in Madonna di Campiglio is all about snow thanks to the Grostè ski area. Good skiing conditions make it undoubtedly one of the best destinations right now.
www.funiviecampiglio.it
Passo San Pellegrino
With the Col Margherita cable car open and one slope available, Passo San Pellegrino kicks off its season at the last minute, satisfying skiers eager to start the season on the snow of the Dolomites.
www.passosanpellegrino.it
Veneto
Cortina d’Ampezzo
It is the Veneto resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo that upholds the honor of Dolomiti Superski with 5 open slopes across two different ski areas (Ra Valles and Faloria). Without a shadow of a doubt, the best destination for anyone wanting to ski in the Dolomites.
www.cortina.dolomiti.org
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