Bormio’s 1792m (5879 feet) vertical is one of the three greatest in Italy, beaten only by Alagna and Cortina. This is not a vast inter-linked skiing domain however, more a place for those who love to get to the top of the mountain and then have huge long hassle-free descents of up to 14km (9miles) back down to the resort.
Bormio’s 1792m (5879 feet) vertical is one of the three greatest in Italy, beaten only by Alagna and Cortina. This is not a vast inter-linked skiing domain however, more a place for those who love to get to the top of the mountain and then have huge long hassle-free descents of up to 14km (9miles) back down to the resort. The lower two thirds of the slopes are forested and protected by snow making. There is a choice of two routes up, each from the edge of town (there is a ski bus but many will find their accommodation a short walk away). The cable car ascends first to Bormio 2000 — the main nursery area with guaranteed snow. It then carries on to the summit of Cima Bianca from where there’s a choice of descents, including the long blue all the way to the bottom, which beginners might attempt by the end of their first week.
The second route up is to take the shorter gondola to Ciuk, then a chair to the Bormio 2000 area. Intermediates will enjoy Bormio the most with its long sweeping runs and fast easy routes. Experts have a more limited choice but the Pista Stelvio was the course for the Men’s Downhill in the 1995 World Championship. Bormio is part of the Alta Valtellina Lift Pass system which gives skiing access to the slopes of Livigno, Santa Caterina and San Colombano and with a six day pass you also get one free day over the border, which includes famous St Moritz. The resort where you’re most likely to make use of the pass is Bormio’s near neighbour Santa Caterina, a traditional but high and snowsure village with another 40km (25 miles) of trails. It is the home of former Olympic champion Deborah Compagnoni. On the other side of Bormio the San Colombano lifts serve another mixture of mostly easy and intermediate trails, with one black at Oga.
Beginners are well catered for in Bormio with some long blue runs winding down through the trees from Bormio 2000. Intermediates and advanced skiers can take the cable car up to 3000m where there are some nice open runs and also a good powder bowl. S. Caterina has les piste kms but is a good place for the progressing beginner and intermediate.
Bormio is almost unique in the ski world and anyone who loves Italian life and a beautiful town won’t need the skiing! The narrow cobbled streets are filled at night with a colourful crowd enjoying the après ski and immaculate shops.
Resort Height | 1225m | |
Top Station | 3017m | |
Bottom Station | 1225m | |
Vertical Descent | 1792m | |
Drag Lifts | 3 | |
Chair Lifts | 7 | |
High Capacity | 7 | |
Opening Dates | Dec - April | |
Rating Expert | 6 | |
Rating Intermediate | 8 | |
Rating Beginner | 7 | |
Apres Ski Rating | 8 | |
Snow Reliability | 8 |