Madesimo is a small ski resort town, located in the Italian lakes of Northern Italy, right on the border of Switzerland, the resort is at an altitude of 1550 meters, and its highest lift goes to 2880 meters. Madesimo ski resort is part of the Valchiavenna ski area.
Madesimo ski resort - Valchiavenna ski area
Valchiavenna Ski Area boasts 60km of exciting slopes. Many slopes are served by state-of-the-art -lift facilities that can be easily reached on foot.
For improvers, the 2.4km Lago Azzuro run is one of the longest blues in the area - warm up for it on the Skiweg Larici-Baita del Sole which is a kilometre long.
Intermediates have the whole area to explore, with some lovely runs from La Colmanetta including the Valsecchi Bassa which trails back to the town. The red Montalto run is used in FIS races for its technique testing variety – when it’s not reserved for training it’s an absolute blast to soar down. Italo Pedroncelli from Montalto’s another red that sometimes appears on the World Cup circuit, beginning with a black graded stretch to really up the ante.
The other black piste in the area is Interpista Alta, but that’s not all on offer for experienced skiers and snowboarders. The most famous ski slope is the “Canalone“, a black slope of over 3 km, with 1,000 metres of altitude difference. Those who prefer an adrenaline-filled challenge can head for Pizzo Groppera at 3000m and carve zigzagging designs along Val di lei or descend to the Canalone. This black descent is almost 3km long and a must to do on every skiers list. The Camosci itinerary sets off from the same point, and there’s more off piste on the sides of the slopes and through the forest.
Children and beginners are catered for by the Larici Baby Park and short Palu piste, which are tailor-made to help conquer slides, stops and turns.
Madesimo snowpark
MadePark is an absolute paradise for lovers of snowboard alongside twin-tip ski activities.
Served by both the Larici gondola and the Montalto chairlift, the MadePark has an overall length of around 920m, and every day is subject to genuine ‘hands-on’ maintenance or if more appropriate by a ‘snow cat’ vehicle.
The Made Park offers facilities for all levels, with special attention to beginners: flat boxes and kickers of 2m, 4m and 6m are dedicated to them. Other structures such as down rails, rainbow, plug, mail box, cistern and modular boxes complete the first level. The park’s set up varies during the season in order to offer our users an experience which is always changing and always new.
Madesimo village
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 Shplügenpass – the gateway to Switzerland – is 15 km from Madesimo.
The mountain village with a population of only 600 people. On weekends, the resort becomes crowded, because it is a place of family recreation for residents of the surrounding towns. 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 the pleasure of silence, the beauty of nature and ideal skiing conditions.
There’s oodles to explore, from the historic streets of the town to the 16th and 17th century facades of buildings in Chiavenna half an hour away – where you can visit the Bottonera Mill and the Treasure Museum in the church of San Lorenzo. Busses run between Chiavenna and St Moritz if you want to experience the famous Swiss mountain town.
Madesimo to be sleepy and quiet - the pedestrianised main street, Via Carducci and its side streets have all the hotels, bars, shops and restaurants you might need for a week.
For food, feast on simple, hearty pizzas and lunches at Ristoro Larici or book a table at Osteria Vegia on Via Cascata for delicious local cuisine (try the pizzocheri – a regional dish with pasta, greens and potatoes). Culinary musts are the local polenta, Alpine cheeses, traditional cakes. If you fancy posh nosh, Ristorante Il Cantinone is praised for its imaginative cuisine in the Michelin guide. Later on, party into the night at Queen’s Club. Popular spots include the Tender Disco Pub, while there’s live music in the Après Ski Bar Bollicine and Acquarela. Later on, party into the night at Queen’s Club.
Things to see
Visiting the Via Spluga Museum is a fascinating experience that will let you discover the thousand-year history of one of the most important communication routes in the Alps. The Via Spluga was an ancient road that connected Switzerland to Valtellina and was one of the main transit routes between the two countries.
Take a trip to the Acquafraggia Falls. The Acquafraggia waterfalls, an attraction about 20 minutes’ drive from Madesimo, are a must-see tourist destination for nature lovers and hikers.
Madesimo ski resort
