Bardonecchia Ski Resort
An old Italian market town, Bardonecchia was established as a ski resort in the early 20th century playing host to the very first Italian ski championships in 1909. Bardonecchia is located in the Piedmont region of Italy and is interestingly, despite its status as a ski village in the Alps, also a recognised commune of Turin. Nestled in the Susa valley, it is considered Italy’s most westward ski resort, sitting just across the border from France. Bardonecchia is a small but fairly busy village with its centre having a cluster of shops, bars and restaurants frequented by both locals and visiting skiers. The resort has a brilliant atmospheric mix of a traditional Italian village and a snow sports enthusiasts haven; thanks in so small part to its role in hosting the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.
Bardonecchia boasts a diverse ski area spanning over 100km of slopes catering to all levels of skiers and snowboarders. From gentle beginner runs to challenging black diamond trails, Bardonecchia provides ample opportunities for exhilarating alpine adventures. Whether seeking adventure on the slopes or leisurely moments in the village, Bardonecchia promises an unforgettable alpine experience for winter enthusiasts seeking both excitement and tranquillity.
Bardonecchia boasts a diverse ski area spanning over 100km of slopes catering to all levels of skiers and snowboarders. From gentle beginner runs to challenging black diamond trails, Bardonecchia provides ample opportunities for exhilarating alpine adventures. Whether seeking adventure on the slopes or leisurely moments in the village, Bardonecchia promises an unforgettable alpine experience for winter enthusiasts seeking both excitement and tranquillity.
Sitting at an altitude of 1,312 metres, Bardonecchia ski resort is divided into 4 ski areas, Colomion-Les Arnauds ( commonly referred to simply as Colomion ), Campo Smith, Melezet and Jafferau; all three of which have a combined total of 140 kilometres of pistes. The local ski pass grants you access to all three but you can upgrade to gain access to the Via Lattea (Milky Way) for more challenging pistes. The slopes here range between altitudes of 1,300 and an impressive 2'750. Here you can find a mix of beginner and intermediate-level slopes with a few blacks and challenging reds offering a little bit of “oomph” for the visiting seasoned and advanced skiers. The resort is perfect, both on and off the pistes, for families visiting with young children in tow. The easy slopes are hardly ever crowded and perfect for kids looking to build some confidence, while the resort has a good number of off-piste entertainment specifically aimed at them. It is also great for weekend visits and short ski breaks, thanks to its very easy connections to Turin.
Bardonecchia sits at a resort level of 1312 metres with the ski terrain between 1300 and 2750 metres. Its ski area is split up into 4 different areas with the different piste difficulties evenly spread between them. Campo Smith, Melezet and Colomion all have beginner and intermediate slopes with Jafferau having the more difficult terrain including some great off-piste opportunities.
The ski terrain in Bardonecchia stretches over 140 kilometres of marked, snow-sure pistes. Apart from the weekend influx of skiers from Turin, the slopes here are generally quiet and uncrowded, thus allowing for shorter queues and more time on the slopes in most cases. Access to all ski areas is made easy via interlinking shuttle buses.
Advanced skiers will appreciate the off-piste opportunities in Bardonecchia in addition to its few black runs; however, as earlier mentioned, advanced skiers and professionals looking for tougher challenges may obtain the extended ski pass which includes parts of the Via Lattea.
Beginners and intermediate skiers will appreciate Bardonecchia as a skiers haven because its small size and quiet slopes make it the perfect place to learn and build confidence on the slopes. They can enjoy a variety of gentle tree-lined slopes and wide-open runs, mostly found at Campo Smith and Melezet. The nursery slopes are located just next to the lift at Campo Smith so once you have mastered your ploughs and first turns, you can jump on the lift and hit one of the many easy runs.
There is also a great variety of easy blues and reds on Melezet and Colomion which are perfect for intermediates and some of which were part of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics runs.
Bardonecchia has always attracted avid snowboarders and freestyles but it further gained international fame as a renowned snowboarding haven after hosting of the snowboarding events at the Turin Winter Olympics. It has great free-riding and off-piste opportunities as well as an excellent snow park in Melezet, sitting at about 2,200 metres. The snowpark is well equipped and looked after and includes an impressive selection of obstacles suited for different skill levels. It also has a chill-out area with 2 bars, and a school specifically for snowboarding. The park is split into 5 different areas, each area catering to a different skill ability. It has 3 and a half kilometres of freestyle tracks, 80 rails and jibs, a half-pipe, and over 20 different types of jumps ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Outside of the snowpark and on the pistes, carvers will feel most comfortable and at home at Bardonecchia with its easy, gentle and uncrowded slopes, there's hardly a better blank canvas anywhere else to carve a few lines. Beginner snowboarders will love it at Bardonecchia too with its wide-open gentle pistes perfect for honing in on their skills.
Bardonecchia has a great reputation for reliable snow conditions. The majority of its upper slopes are north-facing, thus allowing for great conditions on the slopes. Over the past 10 years, the resort has averaged 283 centimetres of snow per annum, with the highest just over 600 centimetres and the lowest being 90 centimetres. Its average summit depth is 135 centimetres over the last 10 years. It also has adequate snow cover with snow making facilities in place to supplement any snow losses.
During the week, Bardonecchia is not exactly known for having a wild and raucous apres-ski scene. It is a small ski village with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, so whilst you may find a number of bars to enjoy a few drinks in, you are not likely to come across a raving all-night party atmosphere. However, it has got a good selection of bars and lounges; a few of which stay open until the early hours of the morning, much to the delight of the occasional groups of party die-hards. The resort gets livelier at the weekends with a few more people visiting from Turin to party. On the slopes, however, Bardonecchia ski resort has quite a lively atmosphere. Live music and funky DJ sets kick off every day from 14:30 pm on the slopes. There is also food, drinks and dancing at Chesal 1805 also referred to as Crazy Chesal, a bar/restaurant located high up on the Melezet slopes.
Harald’s A traditional Alpine ski bar and restaurant, Haralds is a lively apres spot, which also plays host to live DJ sets, various music events and the occasional local live band. Open every day for food from breakfast up to dinner, it has a great menu that features Alpine classics and local delicacies. There is also an extensive drinks menu featuring quite an exotic cocktail menu. Sitting at the bottom of the Campo Smith beginner slopes, it is not very hard to locate. Haralds is definitely a stand-out bar in Bardonecchia and a top apres hub if you were visiting the resort.
**Garage Bar ** One of the liveliest bars in the resort. Garage adopts a North American theme in some of its interior setups. A very lively spot with a great selection of drinks from tap beers and ales, whiskeys and gins, to proper cocktails. It is one of the resorts most popular among the younger crowd and one of the places to party until the early hours on weekends.
Bar Seba A very friendly little bar and cafe located on the main street in Bardonecchia. Serves a wide array of tasty meals and snacks. The perfect spot for a stopover if you’re looking for a quiet place for a chat and a drink whether it’s a hot or regular drink. Great place if you want to feel welcome.
Al Crotin Al Crotin is a cosy, traditional bar that sits in the heart of Bardonecchia, on the resort’s main street. Well known for its friendly staff, fabulous hosting and awesome wine selection, Al Crotin offers a great rustic night out of tasty food and an amazing wine selection. When you are done, you can write your name on the ceiling; along with hundreds who have visited the restaurant and had a great time.
Medail - Birreria Gastronomica Formerly known as Cafe Medial, this fantastic restaurant and bar have been renamed to translate as “Medail Gastronomical Brewery”. As the name suggests, visitors here can look forward to an amazing gastronomic experience with its food menu featuring tasty pub classics like gourmet burgers, steaks, wraps, burritos and sandwiches. The drinks menu features a large wine and champagne selection as well as a great list of bottled and tap-served beer and ales.
For its modest size, Bardonecchia ski resort has an efficient selection of facilities that are very capable of accommodating all its visitors all season through. We have highlighted a few which may be of interest to you.
Bardonecchia is well equipped with facilities catered towards children's care, entertainment and general wellbeing.