Nestled in a sunny basin, surrounded by beautiful mountains with peaks exceeding 3,000 metres, Bardonecchia, also known as the Pearl of the Alps, is one of the most striking corners of the Western Alps. The town blends the charm of a small mountain village with the typical city lifestyle.
Well-known ski resort since the early 1900s, Bardonecchia was the site of the snowboarding competitions of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics: a true paradise for all skiers with its slopes always perfectly groomed, thanks in part to a powerful and modern snowmaking system. Bardonecchia is also an ideal destination for families, easily accessible by train and car, only 90 km from Turin, along the Paris-Rome rail route.
The Bardonecchia ski area is composed of 3 districts, which have different but complementary characteristics.
The Colomion and Melezet ski areas are characterized by wide, mostly wood-tracked slopes, where a dense and artistic web of trails, starting from the centre of town - at Campo Smith, just over 1330 metres above sea level - reaches the vast out-of-wood plateaus of Vallon Cros at 2400 metres above sea level.
The Colomion area is particularly suitable for families. Here are the headquarters of all the local ski schools with more than 200 instructors and a large, well-equipped play area where children can take their first steps on skis. An easy ski-to-ski link takes you to the Melezet area, with slopes of all levels, and where you will find the snow park, a destination for many riders. Don't miss a descent on Olympic slope 23 and a stop at one of the many high-altitude cabins for a snack or gourmet lunch.
The Jafferau ski area, on the other hand, peaks at 2800 metres above sea level; here you will be able to ski mostly out of the woods, in a high-altitude environment, with unparalleled views of the mountains surrounding the Bardonecchia basin. The area has a decidedly more "sporty" vocation, here you can find the "Ferruccio Bosticco" slope approved for fast discipline competitions and where numerous international downhill and supergiant races are held every year.
Have you tried the Bardonecchia Alpine Coaster yet? It is a two-seater sled that can be used in summer and winter and provides an exciting descent through the woods of Camp Smith, with parabolic curves, bumps and changes of slope for more than 1,000 metres in length; suitable for children and families.
The tourist offerings are complemented by the many cozy cafes and restaurants located directly on the ski slopes, offering excellent local alpine cuisine, sun terraces, and children's play areas. It is also possible to dine on the slopes by taking advantage of the transportation service with modern and comfortable snowcats by booking the Snowcat Safari service.
