by Federica Lassi
Photos of Piani di Bobbio ITB S.p.A
Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, snowshoeing...at the Piani di Bobbio, with a single ski area, all the needs of winter sports enthusiasts are satisfied. Perhaps it is precisely this characteristic that has made it one of the most renowned and popular destinations in Valsassina for the winter season. A mountain for everyone, where beginners can take their first steps on the snow and experts live out their passion in the splendid setting of the Valsassina resort, located in the municipality of Barzio, between the mountains of Lake Como and Orobie. Yes, because the Piani di Bobbio form a single ski resort with Valtorta, on the Bergamo side, which can be reached from Val Brembana. It is precisely in this area that you will find the black slopes for the more daring, of Oscellera and Valtorta. Returning to the Lecco side, from the village of Barzio a modern cableway takes you to the enchanted world of the Piani di Bobbio, at an altitude of 1700 metres, made even more magical during the winter. A white mantle, in this period, covers the 17 slopes. 35 km of slopes that leave you breathless, for the adrenalin rush but also for the beauty of the views that the athletes themselves, between one ski run and another, stop to admire. Another indisputable strong point of the Piani di Bobbio. Serving the Ski Area are five chairlifts, including one inaugurated last year named ‘Nuova Ongania’, four-seater ‘Orscellera’ and ‘Valtorta’, and three ski lifts. Still on the subject of novelties, further work is underway: the redevelopment of the entire Campo Scuola area, in collaboration with Rossignol. Group and individual courses are offered to the public, often from Milan and Brianza, who appreciate the proximity of the ski area to spend their skiing weeks or simply to spend a weekend in the snow, staying in the valley or in the refuges close to the slopes (between Piani di Bobbio and Valtorta alone there are about fifteen, including bars/restaurants). The offer is made even more complete by the ski and equipment hire service. Even lovers of “narrow” skis will find their size here, in the Rododendro, a 7.5 km long ring, particularly technical and approved for national and international cross-country skiing competitions.
The route has two shorter variants for the less experienced. But also in the Tre Signori-Ceresola, on the Valtorta side, which is shorter than the previous loop (5 km). Those looking for pure adrenaline, on the other hand, will not fail to find it in the Bobbio Park: developed over an area of 1500 square metres, it is the playground for snowboarders and freestylers. On the other hand, those who want to get to know and admire the Piani di Bobbio in peace and quiet will prefer snowshoeing: on the sides of the slopes there are various trails for snowshoeing. A good compromise between snowshoeing and alpine skiing can be ski mountaineering: no downhill frenzy at any cost, but far more adventurous than snowshoeing, it is practised along the routes that start directly from the ski resort, ascending through the snowy scenery of Bobbio. All these sports named in unison immediately call to mind the sporting event par excellence that will also involve Lombardy less than three years from now: the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Although the five-circle event will not directly touch the Piani di Bobbio, its slopes will be used by athletes to train for the Olympic event. The resort has in fact been included in the ‘Road to 2026’ platform, along with other ski resorts and ice palaces, in order to make the information about it even more usable and accessible, especially the variety of snow sports that can be practised. A fair showcase in which to shine, to rise even higher into paradise. The Piani di Bobbio can be reached by train as far as Lecco station, from where it will then be necessary to continue by bus (line D35 in the direction of Lecco-Barzio), or by car following the Valsassina exit after the Monte Barro tunnel on the SS 36 (for those arriving from Milan), joining the new Lecco-Ballabio. From there, proceed as far as Barzio, at the point where the cableway starts. For those who live in the regional capital, the Piani di Bobbio are just a stone's throw away thanks to the Bus della Neve, a transport service that takes you directly to the resort from Milan. By choosing it, no cars, traffic and problems finding parking (helping the environment too!). To better prepare for days on the snow, a webcam is also available on the ski resort website, from which you can view the weather in real time. All that remains is to put on your skis: the winter season has begun. All the information on Piani di Bobbio on the website www.pianidibobbio.com.
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