Worldwide Ski Resorts • Italy • Macugnaga
Overview
Macugnaga’s skiing is divided in to two sections, a 15 minute walk apart. The smaller Belvedere area above Pecetto has largely easy terrain served by two chairs and a drag. The second and larger area is on Monte Moro, which backs on to Saas Fee in Switzerland.
Profile
Macugnagas skiing is divided in to two sections, a 15 minute walk apart. The smaller Belvedere area above Pecetto has largely easy terrain served by two chairs and a drag. It’s a wonderful place for beginners and early intermediate skiers who will enjoy this unintimidating enclave, a million miles from the crowded motorways of the mega-resorts. The very reasonably priced lift pass, especially low season, is another big advantage. The second and larger area is on Monte Moro, which backs on to Saas Fee in Switzerland. There is no lift link but guides will take you over on skis — beware of the three hour coach journey back!
The two stage cable car from Staffa ascends the full 1643m vertical from the village, opening up some wonderful long reds including the 8km (5 mile) long Meccia B route. This takes you back down to the bottom of the ski area, the middle station of the cable car, as the lower section back down to the village is not-pisted and generally regarded as not skiable. The skiable vertical for the upper section is 1103m. Most of the rest of the skiing is on similar long reds, including the 6.5km (4 mile) Monte Moro. In between there are extensive powder fields to explore with all the skiing in this section above the tree line. Experts have three blacks to choose from including the 3km (2 mile) long Ruppenstein run, otherwise it’s off-piste or heli-skiing with Elialpi. There are also a couple of drags at village level in Staffi giving an added choice for beginners staying in this part of the resort.
Mountain Information
A small lift system serves 40 kms of piste. Divided into 2 sections, the larger has a 2 stage cable car that takes you from the village to Arrivo M. Moro at 2948m. From here the only way is down where the rest of this area is served by 4 drag lifts. At the base there are 2 small beginner tows. The smaller area (Belvedere) has a drag and 2 chairs. This area, though small, has very good off piste possibilities from ridges into powder bowls from Arrivo Monte Moro. In saying this, there is little else for advanced skiers to tackle. Intermediates do have some nice runs (longest 7.5Km) but again pistes are limited.
Apres Ski
Macugnaga has a fair selection of bars and restaurants to suit everybodys taste. The apres ski here is friendly and informal and local outings can be arranged.
Italian Resort Guide
Resort Information • Macugnaga
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Resort Height | 1327m |
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Top Station | 2970m |
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Bottom Station | 1327m |
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Vertical Descent | 1643m |
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Drag Lifts | 2 |
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Chair Lifts | 9 |
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High Capacity | 2 |
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Opening Dates | Dec - April |
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Rating Expert | 3 |
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Rating Intermediate | 6 |
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Rating Beginner | 8 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 7 |
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Snow Reliability | 9 |
