BARDONECCHIA — The compact Piedmontese ski resort near the French border, has invested more than 130,000 euro in new safety technology for the current season, a significant commitment for a town that prides itself on affordable, no-frills skiing.
Surrounded by peaks reaching 2,800 metres near the French border, the investment in surveillance cameras, avalanche transceivers, and rescue equipment signals a broader push to position smaller Italian resorts as safe, authentic alternatives to larger Alpine destinations.
The centrepiece is four state-of-the-art “Remoneye” video cameras, costing the city council 100,000 euro. They have been strategically placed to better monitor both the borders and the slopes, significantly increasing skier safety.
No-frills skiing
Bardonecchia is affectionately known as “Bardo” by the locals. The ski lifts are not always the latest models but skiing here offers pure nature. After skiing, cosy huts such as Chesal invite you to warm up and enjoy polenta specialities and plins (a delicious Piedmontese stuffed pasta).
There are 23 ski lifts available for a total of 100 kilometres of slopes. The well-groomed slopes lead through snow-covered pine forests and impressive natural landscapes back down to the valley.
The gondola ride to the Jafferau summit at 2,700 metres offers a spectacular panoramic views and a long, snow-sure descent. The Olympic slope in Melezet is considered a particular highlight. Cross-country skiers can explore the 11.5-kilometre-long trail from Pian del Colle. Ski hire directly on the slopes makes cross-country skiing, ski touring, and snowshoeing accessible without advance planning.
Affordable, accessible
During the week, you hear more English than Italian. “You come here for the mountains, not the scene. It’s real skiing, without the price tag or the crowds,” said Scottish skier Andrew. ‘We’re the first ones on the slopes in the morning and the last ones in the afternoon. Want to enjoy the scenery, so we can’t go to the disco at night.” Andrew and his friend Nick, here for the second time, also take the ‘Via Lattea’ round trip every year.
Bardonecchia is ideal for a relaxing winter holiday, both for families and for young people who come primarily for skiing rather than for après-ski or disco clubbing. The Olympic hotel complex offers affordable accommodation. The resort is particularly popular with British, Irish, Dutch, and Belgian visitors, as it can be reached in just two hours by train from Turin’s International Airport.
