The Skiers' Guide to Madonna di Campiglio

A picturesque ski resort in Italy’s Trentino region, Madonna di Campiglio is enveloped by the stunning scenery of the Brenta Dolomites. The ski station sits at 1550m, wedged between the Adamello and Presanella glaciers and features over 150km of slopes which climb up to a respectable altitude of 2600m.

Bolzano is the closest airport at just 1.5 hours away, but the most commonly used one (especially for international connections) is Verona, at 2 hours away. From either airport, it’s a scenic ride up to the resort - you could even factor in a stop at Lake Garda if travelling from Verona. Up in the valley, Madonna di Campliglio itself is the highest place to stay at 1524m, however many reviewers also recommend Marilleva and Folgarida, both at 1400m. Overall, MdC is considered the resort to experience Italian elegance at a fraction of the cost compared to France or Switzerland.

The Madonna di Campiglio ski area has a reputation for spacious, wide slopes. This is likely to be music in the ears of any beginner or inexperienced skiers, as well as those who love to catch the first lifts in search of corduroy to carve. The three snow parks add the thrill for adrenaline junkies, including the impressive Ursus Snowpark with its intimidating jumps. It forms part of a larger interconnected ski area that includes Pinzolo, Folgarida, and Marilleva, offering a total of 156 kilometers of runs. Being based in the ‘sunny side of the Alps,’ MdC is known for its sunshine, which reviewers say can mean heavier, slushier conditions later in the day, particularly in late season. Overall, the ski season in Madonna di Campiglio tends to run from November to April.

In terms of lift infrastructure, the past 15 years have seen more than 10 lifts upgraded, significantly reducing bottlenecks - something which our reviewers consistently point out a lack of. The snowmaking facilities are also world-class, putting any early or late-season trip takers at ease. Sunshine is very much the order of the day here, but when conditions do close in, there is plenty of tree skiing thanks to the scenic surrounds of larch and fir forest.

The considerable size of the Madonna di Campiglio ski area makes for a varied experience suited to all riders. The 3-Tre slope (also known as Canalone Miramonti) is a must for any advanced skiers seeking a technical challenge, as it features steep gradients, sudden turns and plays host to the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Night Slalom. Beginners will love the Pradalago area with its mini snowpark and blue runs, as well as some scenic red pistes through the trees for those looking to progress. A lengthy blue (Piste 60 & 66) enjoys stunning views from the top of Passo Grosté, with plenty of slopeside pit stops on the way down to Grosté - a reviewer hot tip is to get the last lift to the top here for some incredible evening views. There is also a good amount of off-piste to be enjoyed, with reviewers citing the snow in the Marilleva area as fantastic during a stay in January.

Want to check out the ski area for yourself? Download the Madonna di Campiglio piste map here and read more community insights and reviews here.

Due to its position in Northern Italy, the ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio is known for its blend of Austrian and Italian cuisine. Common dishes include risotto and dumplings, while hearty Italian classics such as lasagne and pizza are menu mainstays throughout resort. This makes eating out an indulgent experience, and certainly a rewardable one if you’ve spent all day on the mountain. While our reviewers say that eating out in Madonna di Campiglio can be expensive, the food is varied, portions are generous and prices can still be considered reasonable when compared with other, larger resorts. Popular spots include Ristorante Le Roi, which serves authentic Italian cuisine (you’ll need to make a reservation for this one) and Ristorante Alfiero, which is known for its upscale dining and welcoming hospitality. On the mountain, there are plenty of places to eat, however Chalet Spinale at 2100m is easy to access, has stunning 360 views and a choice of self-service or more formal dining. It also ramps things up occasionally with live DJ sets for après - read more on the après vibe below.

Our reviewers describe the après experience in Madonna di Campiglio as ‘refined Italian,’ which is perfect if you’re looking to sip on spritzes on the sunny side of the Alps, but not so much if you’re more of a boot-stomping beerfest type. However, both Bar LAB and Bar OBER have a livelier reputation with cocktails and casual bites. For even later après ski sessions, Piano 54 is the resort’s restaurant-cum-nightclub in the heart of town.

Yes! Reviewer highlights tend to be the wide choice of affordable accommodation on or close to the slopes with very good lift access. Ski schools throughout also have a great reputation. The stunning scenery makes Madonna di Campiglio ski resort a great choice for families. There are well-groomed ski slopes for all levels, including beginner-friendly areas and ski schools for kids. The Family Park Pradalago provides fun snow activities, while non-skiers can enjoy scenic gondola rides with a pedestrian pass, or get involved with other forms of alpine sports like snowshoeing.

With kid-friendly restaurants (can’t go wrong with pizza and pasta - right?) and only a limited amount of après ski options, it’s an ideal choice for the wholesome family trip.

Many efforts are being undertaken throughout the Madonna di Campiglio ski station to champion the environment and sustainability. These include carbon neutral cable cars and other in-resort practices such as recycling. Madonna di Campiglio has also obtained an SI Rating of 60%. SI Scoring (Sustainability Impact Scoring) allows a self-assessment that provides an immediate result to get a first useful indication of how a company stands on ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) issues and concerning the SDGs, the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Pros

• Large resort - our reviewers say you need longer than a week to discover it all
• Big snowpark
• Stunning scenery
• Good lift infrastructure with minimal queueing
• Italian food

Cons

• Expensive
• Gets busy at the weekends with visitors from Milan