Madonna di Campiglio Ski Resort in Italy – Ultimate Guide to the 2024-2025 Season

There are many reasons to spend your winter vacation in Madonna di Campiglio, a ski resort in Northern Italy:

1. Scenic Beauty: The place is enchantingly beautiful with its breathtaking mountain landscapes.
2. Wide Range of Ski Slopes and Winter Sports: There’s a vast selection of ski slopes and winter activities to choose from.
3. Impeccable Service: The resort’s service is meticulously planned and takes care of every detail.
4. A Favorite Destination: Madonna di Campiglio is a beloved spot for Italian and European high society to socialize and reconnect.

Although the stay here can be expensive, visitors find it worthwhile.

When to Visit Madonna di Campiglio

Tourists come to Madonna di Campiglio both in summer and winter. This Italian ski resort is located in the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige, in the valley near the Dolomiti di Brenta mountain range. This area, being the western part of the Dolomites, is renowned for its extraordinary beauty, with its mountains composed of dolomite rock.

During the daytime, the rocks are covered with a delicate white blanket, and at sunrise and sunset, they showcase shades of pink. This nature’s splendor includes mountain peaks, lakes, waterfalls, and alpine meadows, making up the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The peak tourist activity occurs during winter.

Seasons in Madonna di Campiglio

The ski season lasts from December 23 to April 14, although skiing starts as early as November. Despite the town’s population being around 1,000, it welcomes up to 300,000 visitors during the winter season. However, the winter season has its ups and downs.

Low Season

The low season (December 6 – January 29) experiences temperatures near freezing, with higher altitudes having sub-zero temperatures, but there’s limited snow, necessitating the use of snow cannons. Lower sections of the slopes, where the snow melts, are often closed, limiting the total ski slope length. Consequently, there are fewer visitors compared to the peak season. Prices are slightly lower, but Madonna di Campiglio focuses on providing quality service rather than attracting a large number of tourists.

Low Season: (March 7 – April 14) There’s still enough snow during this time, but the sun warms up the atmosphere in a spring-like manner. Sitting on sun loungers placed around the ski areas may lead to sunburn, so sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended. The downside of this season is the unpredictable weather, with low clouds, fog, and precipitation in the form of wet snow or rain signaling the end of the ski season.

Christmas and New Year

During the Christmas holidays (December 24 – January 8), prices reach their peak in the winter season.

The weather is generally sunny with little wind, creating excellent skiing conditions. The season kicks off with a parade of vintage cars, and in January, the Ferrari team showcases their skills on the local ice rink, providing an exotic spectacle known as Wrooom, which can only be witnessed in Madonna di Campiglio.

High Season

The high season (January 30 – March 6) in Madonna di Campiglio offers excellent quality snow with all the slopes open and the resort operating at full capacity.

In the second half of February, the resort hosts the Habsburg Carnival, a legacy from the visits of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary and Princess Sissi in the late 19th century. The carnival features torchlight processions, ballroom costumes, and Strauss waltzes, creating unforgettable experiences for both adults and children. In 2020, the carnival will take place from February 27 to March 3. The festivities include an “Imperial Descent” down the curves of Groste or Spinale, where all “courtiers” led by the “emperor” participate. Everyone is invited to the grand ball.

When is the Best Time to Visit Madonna di Campiglio for Skiing?

For those not concerned about the cost, the best time to visit is during the high season. Mid-low season is ideal for those who prefer great slopes over social activities. If you want to enjoy a beautiful, well-equipped skiing destination and save some money, it’s better to visit before the start of the season (December 5-21) or towards the end of it (May 30 – April 10).

Read also about Monte Rosa Ski Resort.

Slope and Lift Layout

Despite its social character, Madonna di Campiglio remains one of the best-equipped ski resorts in the Alps. The slopes, lifts, and connectivity between skiing areas are meticulously planned, and the resort offers top-notch sports services.

Skiing Zone Characteristics

The town itself is located at 1550 meters (5085 feet) above sea level and has four skiing zones:

1. Spinale – situated at 2100 meters (6889 feet) with an elevation difference of 550 meters (1804 feet).
2. Groste – with an elevation difference of 950 meters (3117 feet).
3. Pradalago – with an elevation difference of 550 meters (1804 feet).
4. Cinque Laghi (Five Lakes) – at 2200 meters (7218 feet) with a vertical drop of 600 meters (1969 feet).

Blue Slopes

There are 14 blue slopes, constituting 43% of all runs in the resort, with a total length of 30-40 kilometers (18-25 miles). These slopes are a paradise for novice skiers, providing gentle descents and, in many places, negative slopes for maximum enjoyment with minimal skills. Some popular blue slopes for beginners include:

1. Spinale Diretta and Fortini on the Spinale slope.
2. F.I.S. in the Panculogo mountain area.
3. Zeledria, Fiocco di Neve in the Pradalago zone.
4. 5 Laghi in the Five Lakes area.
5. Graffer – a winding gentle slope from Passo Groste to the base, covering 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).

Blue slopes are often referred to as family-friendly, as they are safe for family members with varying skill levels.

Snowboard Park

For snowboarders, these slopes are not convenient as there are “drag” sections that have to be traversed on foot. However, the Groste Pass hosts one of the best alpine snow parks – Ursus Snow Park, where beginners can learn the basics of snowboarding, and advanced riders can practice high-level tricks on various ramps and features. With a 4.5-star rating, it has been the venue for world championships in this sport.

Red Slopes

The red slopes, designed for “advanced” skiers, make up 41% of the trails. They are steeper, and some dangerous sections have barriers for safety. Overall, they are wide and well-groomed, although some may find them too easy for their red rating. The most popular ones include:

1. FIS 3-Tre – a famous red slope that starts in the Cinque Laghi area; 3-Tre, which stands for “3 days in Trento,” is the name of a stage in the World Slalom Championship.
2. Rifugio Pancugolo – also in the Cinque Laghi area on the southern slopes of the resort.
3. Corna Rossa and Cima Groste – starting from the sunny summit of Groste, offering picturesque views of the Dolomiti di Brenta mountain range.
4. Poza Vecia – on the Spinal slope.
5. Monte Vigo – most descents from this peak are classified as red slopes.

The slopes intersect, giving skiers the option to choose a level of descent that suits their skills.

Black Slopes

Only 16% of all slopes in Madonna di Campiglio are suitable for professionals, and they are quite “adrenaline-pumping”:

1. Canalone Miramonti in the Cinque Laghi area is the queen of black slopes. It hosts the 3 Tre Slalom competitions and is the only slope with night lighting on the resort. The slope’s gradient ranges from 25 to 66 degrees, making it one of the most challenging descents in the world.
2. Amazzonia, slope #6, is a “killer” located in the Cinque Laghi area.
3. Variante Marchi – a very short black descent from Spinal.
4. Spinale Direttissima – a long, steep, and straight descent from this peak ends directly in the town.

For well-prepared skiers, the resort may become less exciting due to the limited number of black slopes.

Ski Lifts

The lift system consists of 10 T-bar lifts, 15 chairlifts, and 6 gondolas, ensuring seamless transportation to any skiing area with minimal queues, even during the peak season. The lifts are conveniently located within the city, just 100-200 meters away from the hotels, eliminating the need to walk around the town in ski gear. Skibuses provide transportation for tourists staying in remote hotels to the lift stations.

Today, Madonna di Campiglio is connected to neighboring ski resorts through its lift system. Tourists can now access any point within the resort area, including Pinzolo, Folgarida, and Marilleva, without the need for additional transportation. The combined ski area offers 350 km of slopes of varying difficulty.

Ski Pass Prices

To access the skiing areas and lifts, visitors need to purchase a ski pass, the price of which depends on the season, the age of the tourist, and the skiing zone.

• An adult one-day ski pass costs 53 euros in the low season and 58 euros in the high season.
• A six-day ski pass ranges from 255 to 289 euros.
• The Skirama ski pass costs 267-303 euros, granting access to all resorts within the Adamello-Brenta National Park, including Madonna di Campiglio, Folgarida-Marilleva, Pejo, Ponte di Legno-Tonale-Presena, Andalo-Fai della Paganella, Monte Bondone, and Folgaria-Lavarone.
• Youth ski passes for ages 9 to 16 for six days cost 179-202 euros, while children under 8 can get passes for 128-148 euros.
• In the low season, some hotels offer a complimentary six-day ski pass as a gift when making a reservation.

Ski and boot rentals are available directly at the resort, with prices ranging from 100 to 150 euros per week, making it quite affordable for a prestigious resort.

For the latest prices, visitors can always check the official website of the resort www.campigliodolomiti.it and download the information in PDF format.

How to Get to Madonna di Campiglio?

When preparing for your vacation, you can find cheaper flights to Italy and save on air travel. The airports near Madonna di Campiglio are Verona, Venice, and Milan. Be sure to spend a few days in one of these cities and explore the sights.

From Verona

From Verona (160 km), you can reach Madonna di Campiglio by regular bus (25 euros one way, 39 euros round trip). Buses operate only on weekends (Saturday-Sunday). On weekdays, you can take a taxi (275 euros per car). Another option is to take a train to the nearest railway station in Trento (40 euros) and then a local bus to the resort (3.5-4 euros).

A transfer from Verona costs 258 euros, and we recommend booking it at least a week in advance. Here are the instructions on how to get from Verona Airport to the city center.

From Milan

From Milan, the journey is a bit longer – 220 kilometers, and regular buses take about 3.5-4 hours. You can also take a train to Trento. However, the most convenient option is to book an online transfer with Flyski Shuttle. Their conditions include 35 euros one way per person with a 25% discount for the return trip, but not all dates may be available.

From Venice

Venice is the farthest from the resort. From Marco Polo Airport, you need to get to the suburb of Venice – Mestre (10-15 minutes), and from there, there are several daily buses to Trento operated by www.flixbus.com. The journey takes about 3 hours, and the ticket costs from 19.5 to 27.5 euros.

You may consider renting a car as an option: in Bergamo, renting a car for a week in winter costs from 220 euros. However, keep in mind that driving in the Madonna di Campiglio resort area during winter is limited.

Hotels – Where is the Best Place to Stay in Madonna di Campiglio?

For those who want to ski on all the slopes and save on accommodation, it’s better to choose the resort of Pinzolo: accommodation here is more affordable, and the slopes – both red and black – are more challenging. Brentapark has everything you need for snowboarding.

Madonna di Campiglio, especially during the peak season, is a place for aristocratic gatherings, and the hotels – about 100 on the resort – are expensive. There’s no need to save on accommodation here.

Prestigious hotels like Bertelli, Cerana Relax Hotel, Dahu, Cristallo, and Ideal are oriented towards high-income visitors.

Popular three-star hotels include:

• Rosengarten – located in the center of the resort near the Five Lakes lift area with a predominance of red and black slopes. It offers a restaurant, sauna, and half-board with breakfast and dinner.
• Chalet – a small hotel with a warm family atmosphere.
• Bonapace – located near the Spinale lift, with a pool and equipment rental facilities.
• Montana – a cozy and clean hotel in the center of the resort.

All hotels in this category offer half-board with abundant breakfasts and dinners.

A more budget-friendly option for accommodation is apartments with a kitchenette and the possibility of self-catering, suitable for family vacations.

• You can rent apartments for several people in Campo Carlo Magno on the northern outskirts of Madonna, near the Groste and Fortini lifts, and ski down to your place of lodging every evening.
• APARTMENTS POSTA are located in the center of Madonna, where there are more opportunities for shopping and entertainment.

Restaurants in Madonna di Campiglio

Most hotels offer tourists breakfast and dinner with the most exquisite dishes of Italian cuisine. In addition to that, this town with a population of 1,000 people has 69 restaurants where lunch costs around 30-35 euros.

In the ski areas, there are about 20 self-service restaurants for skiers. The main challenge is that the staff only speaks Italian, so it’s worth learning the names of popular Italian dishes before heading to Madonna di Campiglio.

In the Trento region, some specialties are well-known, such as Spressa delle Giudicarie, a locally produced cheese, and Carne Salada alla, a specially smoked meat dish. The resort’s signature drinks include grappa, an Italian brandy with a strength of 45-50 degrees, and Gewürztraminer, a flavorful white wine. Visitors can take them home as souvenirs or mementos.

Madonna di Campiglio is a resort where everything – nature, sports facilities, accommodations, cuisine, and people – works to create the most delightful memories for its visitors.