In the heart of Valtellina, close to Sondrio, Milan, and Switzerland, lies the Valmalenco area, a true paradise for skiing and winter sports enthusiasts. However, Valmalenco also offers many activities for those who do not ski.

L’Alpe Palù

The main reference point is Alpe Palù, accessible via the Snow Eagle cable car from Chiesa Valmalenco, which can carry 160 people and takes you from an altitude of 1,000 meters to 2,080 meters in just four minutes. Alternatively, you can take the covered quad chairlift from San Giuseppe at an altitude of 1,500 meters.

Once you arrive at the top, you will be immediately rewarded with a landscape of exceptional beauty: surrounded by alpine peaks at the foot of the Bernina range, you can pick out Pizzo Bernina, Pizzo Scalino, and Monte Disgrazia with their majestic glaciers cutting a striking silhouette against the postcard-blue sky.

At this point, it’s up to you to decide whether to dive into the more than 60 kilometers of ski slopes that wind around Alpe Palù or dedicate yourself to other, equally fascinating activities.

Skiing in Chiesa in Valmalenco

Alpe Palù is a paradise for skiers, with nine ski lifts offering an incredible range of skiing options.

Alpine Skiing on the Slopes

There are 17 downhill ski slopes, including three black runs, five red runs, four green runs for beginners, and three training slopes for ski clubs, totaling about 60 kilometers.

Ski Mountaineering and Freeride (Off-Piste)

Valmalenco and the Bernina mountain range offer endless possibilities for experienced ski mountaineers and freeride enthusiasts, with fresh snow and breathtaking views for tackling even very steep slopes. You can book a tour with Valmalenco Alpina to explore the area safely. Always check the snow and avalanche bulletin before setting out at www.aineva.it.

Cross-Country Skiing

The cross-country ski trails cover a total length of 37 kilometers, with 17 kilometers of natural trails at Lake Palù, complemented by the circuits in San Giuseppe and Lanzada, the latter including illumination for night skiing.

Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding

For lovers of ski and snowboard tricks, there is the Palù Snow Park: a noteworthy venue that has hosted World Cup events and World Championships. It has areas separate from the traditional ski slopes, including tracks for spectacular boardercross and skicross races.

Ski Schools and Beginner Areas

Alpe Palù is an ideal place to learn to ski at any age, thanks to various ski schools for children and adults and organized beginner areas. Here is the link to the Italian Ski School Valmalenco and Enjoysky School in Chiesa Valmalenco.

For Non-Skiers

For those who do not like skiing, there are beautiful trails and fascinating places to discover, not to mention authentic experiences and many other ways to enjoy Valmalenco in winter.

The Refuges of Valmalenco in Winter

Immersed in breathtaking scenic views, the refuges of Valmalenco offer a unique opportunity to admire the landscape and enjoy a refreshing break. Throughout the valley, there are over 20 refuges. Accessible from Chiesa in Valmalenco, San Giuseppe, and the Barchi area, there is Rifugio Motta, as well as the Taragna e Champagne, Sassonero, and La Gusa refuges. In winter, the high-altitude refuges might be closed, except for some open year-round, like Rifugio Motta (which can be reached by snowcat from the Casa Vacanza ai Barchi for a traditional Valtellina dinner). 

Refuges offer an extraordinary opportunity for authentic experiences, allowing you to meet locals, learn about the customs of the community, and savor traditional dishes and genuine local products.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is the winter alternative to summer trekking and skiing: exploring landscapes and valleys on foot, walking on fresh snow at a slow pace, in harmony with the surrounding nature. There are many snowshoe trails in Valmalenco, particularly from San Giuseppe: You can head north (Entova) or towards the Barchi area, up to Lake Palù. The route to the lake is well-marked and easy to follow, crossing a sunny basin and allowing you to walk around the entire lake perimeter. Recommended for families with children.

Sledding and Tobogganing

Sledding and tobogganing are among the most fun activities for families with children. However, maximum caution is required as there are no areas reserved exclusively for this activity, and you may encounter other skiers or hikers.

Be careful! Remember that sledding and tobogganing are not allowed on ski slopes or in the woods!

Authentic Experiences

Valmalenco offers the unique opportunity to experience the mountains authentically: surrounded by unspoiled nature.

There are many such opportunities to explore the mountains at night, after the sun sets. For example, Snowshoeing chiesa valmalenco winter, you can try night skiing on an illuminated cross-country ski trail over one kilometer long.

Alternatively, you can see what it’s like to groom the slopes of Alpe Palù in a snowcat alongside an expert driver. The snowcat is the undisputed star of the mountains, an indispensable piece of equipment that doubles as your means of transport to Rifugio Motta, at over 2,200 meters altitude, where you can enjoy the authentic flavors of a real Valtellina dinner.

Then there is stargazing: the starry sky of the high mountains provides a spectacle which may captivate you for hours. You can snuggle up and observe it comfortably from the panoramic windows of the 2 Cuori in Pista Suite, or from the window of your high-altitude home in Barchi.

Glamping at High Altitude

Camping in the Alps at over 2,100 meters of altitude is not easy, but there is a solution that allows you to stay at high altitude in the middle of winter, under the starry sky of Valmalenco: the 2 Cuori in Pista Suite. Repurposed from a decommissioned snowcat, the suite is our idea of glamping, offering close contact with unspoiled nature alongside all the comforts of a true luxury suite.

Staying on the Slopes at High Altitude

Staying at high altitude is not limited to the summer season!

On the contrary, in winter, you can stay directly at altitude and find yourself already on the slopes when you wake up. This is a privilege that allows you to immerse yourself in mountain life even after night falls and then be the first to ski on the untouched slopes in the morning, without waiting for the ski lifts to open.

For non-skiers, staying at high altitude means living in a setting dominated by nature, isolated from the world, where you can step outside your front door to explore a pure, pristine landscape and, from there, freely decide which direction you want your day to take, free from schedules and far from the noise of the city.