Chiesa Valmalenco

The Valmalenco Bernina Ski Resort officially offers 50 km of alpine ski runs, spread between approximately 1,500 and 2,370 metres in altitude. The ski area is served by 9 lifts and has around 900 metres of vertical drop. Approximately 40 kilometres of slopes are covered by artificial snowmaking, while in the higher sectors, operations depend more heavily on natural snowfall.

The main access is from Chiesa in Valmalenco via the Snow Eagle cable car, equipped with large 160-person cabins. In a single span, the lift overcomes more than 1,000 metres of vertical drop, connecting the village of Vassalini, at around 980 metres, with Alpe Palù at 2,080 metres in just a few minutes. There is no ski run back to Chiesa, so at the end of the day it is necessary to descend by cable car.

A second access point starts from San Giuseppe, at approximately 1,500 metres, where the modern covered four-seater Pedrana–Barchi–Palù chairlift leads directly to the heart of the ski area. Up high, the lift network includes several four-seater chairlifts, some of them high-speed detachable models, as well as a two-seater chairlift, a conveyor belt and an inclined lift. Overall, the lifts are functional, although some of the chairlifts have now been in service for several years.

The slopes of Alpe Palù are particularly suitable for intermediate skiers. The red and blue runs cross open slopes, larch woods and natural basins, offering varied skiing in an area that is generally easy to navigate. The Barchi run descends towards San Giuseppe, while the Plateau, Prati Pedrana and Baby Bernina areas are suitable for beginners, families and ski schools.

More experienced skiers will find several technically demanding runs of considerable interest. The best known is the Thöni black run, which starts from Cima Motta and features gradients of up to 55%, with a challenging final wall. The Nana run, dedicated to Valtellina skier Matteo Nana, also includes steep sections and terrain suited to those with good technique. Some slopes are also reserved for competition training and, when they are not being used by ski clubs, may be opened to the public.

One of Valmalenco’s strengths is the Palù Snowpark, well known in the Italian snowboarding and freeskiing scene. Its lines are arranged with features of progressive difficulty, and the resort has built up significant experience by hosting national and international events, including Snowboard and Freestyle World Cup competitions.

The altitude of Alpe Palù and the compact layout of the ski area help preserve the snow well, especially in the highest sectors. However, a large part of the slopes faces the sun and offers very enjoyable skiing on clear days. In strong winds or poor visibility, the open slopes in the upper section can be more exposed and harder to read.

Valmalenco is also an interesting destination for freeriding, ski touring, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Around Lake Palù, when natural snowfall allows, a panoramic Nordic skiing track is prepared. Other loops can be found at Lanzada, in the Pradasc area, while Caspoggio is home to Winter Park Zenithlandia, aimed mainly at children, first skiing experiences, bobsleigh and sledging.

In summer, the Snow Eagle provides convenient access to Alpe Palù, a starting point for walks to the lake and longer hikes towards mountain huts and alpine pastures. Chiareggio, Val Ventina, Campo Moro, Campagneda and the Fellaria Glacier add some of the most spectacular hiking routes in Valtellina to the area’s attractions. Numerous routes can also be accessed by mountain bike or e-bike, while the Caspoggio–Sant’Antonio chairlift serves the summer trails above the village.

Valmalenco is recommended for those looking for panoramic slopes, an authentic Alpine setting and a ski area particularly suited to families and intermediate skiers, without giving up some challenging black runs and a strong freestyle offering. The ski area does not feature a great variety of aspects or ski-in/ski-out access back to Chiesa, but makes up for this with the quality of its scenery, Alpe Palù’s good altitude, predominantly functional lifts and generally quieter atmosphere than the larger resorts in Valtellina.