Limone Piemonte, the Riserva Bianca

The ski area, known as the Riserva Bianca, offers according to the official website 80 km of alpine ski runs, divided among 41 pistes and served by 17 lifts. The skiable area extends approximately from the 1,050-metre elevation of the lowest lift stations to the 2,085 metres reached in the Pancani area, covering more than 1,000 metres of vertical descent. The different sectors of Limone Sole, Limone 1400 and Limonetto are connected on skis, allowing visitors to cross very different valleys and slopes over the course of the same day.

Most of the pistes are of intermediate difficulty: the red runs are generally wide, well-groomed and suitable for skiers who want to improve their technique or cover many kilometres. Beginners will find gentler terrain in the Maneggio and Carosello areas at Limone 1400 and in the ski-school areas, as well as two Kinder Parks. Expert skiers are also well served by steep, technical descents, some approved for competitions, such as Machetto, Giorgio Armand and Alpetta, one of the resort’s best-known pistes.

The lift network includes the eight-seater Severino Bottero gondola, which quickly connects the village with the Sole area, eleven chairlifts, three drag lifts and two conveyor belts. A substantial part of the lift system has been renewed since the 2000s and includes several fast four-seater chairlifts; however, some two-seater and fixed-grip lifts remain and are less rapid. Overall, the lift capacity is adequate for the size of the Riserva Bianca, although the main connections can become busy during the busiest periods.

The resort’s short distance from the Mediterranean sometimes brings very heavy snowfall, contributing to Limone’s reputation among powder enthusiasts. The ski area also has an extensive snowmaking system. However, the relatively low elevations and the exposure of some slopes require favourable temperatures, while wind and bad weather can affect the opening of the higher lifts and the connections between the different sectors.

Limone is also an appealing destination for snowboarders and freestylers. The Snowpark in the Sole area, accessible via the Bottero gondola, offers lines of varying difficulty with jumps, boxes and rails. The wide valleys of Alpetta, Pancani and Colle di Tenda also provide numerous opportunities for freeriding and short ski-touring routes; these are, however, areas outside the controlled pistes and should only be tackled with suitable preparation, avalanche safety equipment and appropriate snow conditions, preferably accompanied by a mountain guide.

One of the resort’s strengths is the opportunity to combine skiing with village life. Limone has numerous hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars and shops, while the railway station provides direct access to the centre from Cuneo, Turin and the international line towards Ventimiglia and Nice. It is therefore suitable not only for day trips, but also for a multi-day holiday, with a more comprehensive offering than many other resorts in southern Piedmont.

During the summer, Limone Piemonte becomes one of the main outdoor bases in the Maritime Alps. The Severino Bottero gondola facilitates access to the trails and routes of the Bike Resort, while hikers and cyclists can reach Colle di Tenda, the nineteenth-century forts and the celebrated Alta Via del Sale, a spectacular high-altitude dirt road heading towards Monesi and Liguria. The offering also includes downhill, mountain biking and e-biking, trekking, via ferrata routes, horse riding, activities for children, and music and food events at altitude.