Bormio

Upmarket ski resort which places as much emphasis on the off-piste activities as it does on the skiing

Bormio is a popular, upmarket ski resort situated in the central Alps in Italy's Lombardy district. With its distinct Italian flavour, Bormio is unlike many other ski resorts in Europe because it places equal importance on the off-slope activities as well as on the skiing. There is no traditional Alpine centre in Bormio, it is typically a medieval Italian village, with a wealth of history and Romanesque architecture that has been beautifully preserved in its local museums, churches and palaces. There are a multitude of restaurants, cafés and bars from which to watch the world go by and absorb the charming atmosphere.

Despite its popularity, the skiing at Bormio is fairly limited with only 50 kilometres of marked runs catering mainly for beginners and intermediates, so if you are an advanced or expert skier, this resort offers few challenges, apart from a few decent off-piste routes. Tis Italian ski resort is an excellent place to learn, with highly respected ski schools. Additionally, snow conditions are generally reliable with high, snow-sure pistes and woodland runs supplemented by artificial snow. In 2006 a new area was created for snowboarders. For more variety you can get the Valtellina lift pass, which also includes the ski areas of Livigno and Santa Caterina, situated approximately one hour away by bus.

This ski resort is popular because it offers a profusion of alternative activities, both indoor and outdoor and is particularly well-known for its spa and thermal treatments, resulting in the perfect way to indulge a cold, aching body after a day's skiing. Additional outdoor activities include: ice-skating, mono-skiing, snowboarding and horseback riding. Indoor facilities include swimming, tennis, squash, sauna and fitness training. Eating is a major attraction in Bormio, and there is a fantastic variety of eateries scattered throughout the ski resort, serving delicious Italian food and wines. You will find the nightlife is fairly quiet during the week, but Bormio comes to life on the weekends, with an explosion of après-ski venues to provide great entertainment. Due to Bormio's good facilities and infrastructure the World Ski Championships as well as the World Ski Cup Finals have been hosted here. There is a 14 kilometre non stop ski descent from the Cima Bianca cable car right down to the village below, which should test even the most ardent marathon runner!

Resort Information
Altitude of resort:	1225 metres
Top elevation:	3012 metres
Largest vertical drop:	1787 metres
Total length of slopes:	50 kilometres
Longest run:	9 kilometers
Cross country trails	12 kilometres
Beginner:	48%
Intermediate:	43%
Advanced:	9%
Number of lifts:	17
Snowboard:	Yes