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Foppolo: a polyglot resort
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How many languages do they speak in Foppolo? At least three: Italian, Bergamask and for the last twenty years English. This resort in the upper Brembana valley is certainly the most well-known of the province and enjoys the greatest international fame, not only for the size of its skiing area (47 kilometres of runs, and if we count the connecting runs with Carona and San Simone, this easily rises to 80), but
also because the atmosphere is one of a complete skiing experience: There are many residences and hotels, concentrated so that they do not invade the vast slopes on which the runs have been marked, large
parking areas, two ski schools, which have been passing on their tradition for more than fi fty years, structures for leisure activities such as the skating rink and numerous places to pass pleasant evenings after a day’s skiing. Finally, the jewel in the crown – and very reassuring: 50 points for low pressure snow cannons that ensure skiing on most of the runs even when the snow is not as good as it could be.
Distance from Bergamo: 59 kilometres
Altitude: mt 2167
Ski lifts: 9
Ski tracks: 6
Level: 3 easy - 2 medium - 1 hard.
Kilometres of slopes: 47
Artifi cial snow: High and low pressure ski system.
Cross-country slopes: Placed in Convento easy ski ring - 3 km.
Services: 1 Baby park/1 Ski pass
service for Foppolo, Carona, S. Simone; Free bus to Foppolo, Carona, S.
Simone; 1 motorsleigh renting point; skiing schools; 1 Baby park.
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Carona: the complete skiing experience
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This is where ski-mountaineering races for the legendary Parravicini trophy are held. Every year hundreds of athletes climb the steep slopes with sealskin attached to the underside of their skis, applauded by the
many enthusiasts of this traditional sport.
There are plenty of other opportunities too, because Carona, the headquarters of the event, is also a important ski resort in the Bergamo area and belongs to the same skiing area as Foppolo, to which it is
connected by the lifts in the Carisole valley. Those who instead do not want to go off the beaten track must be “content” with 8 runs: 1 easy, 5 medium and 2 diffi cult for a total of 22 kilometres. Snow cannons,
a skating rink near a pretty artifi cial lake and loads of sun complete the attractions of this popular ski resort.
Distance from Bergamo: 53 kilometres.
Altitude: mt 2111
Ski lifts: 5
Ski tracks: 8
Level: 1 easy - 5 medium - 2 hard.
Kilometres: 22
Artifi cial snow: High and low pressure ski system.
Cross-country slopes: Placed in Carisole, easy ski ring - 4,5km.
Services: 1 Ski pass service for Foppolo, Carona, S. Simone; Free bus to Foppolo, Carona, S. Simone;
1 baby track; 1 ski renting point.
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S. Simone: where you can always find snow
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Why do so many skiers choose San Simone? Firstly because you can always fi nd snow. Ensuring this are not only the low pressure cannons positioned along the Arale and Colla runs, but also a geographic setting and position able to guarantee an always perfect and consistent snow cover. In second place, but certainly not to be overlooked, is the friendly, welcoming atmosphere at this resort which, with its fi rst
class structures concentrated in a small area, has over time become specialized in receiving parties, groups, school pupils and children.
The lower areas have nursery slopes and equipment for even the smallest. 30 kilometres of runs wind around the upper areas with three challenging black pistes: the «Camoscio 1», «Sessi» and «Muri». And what about snow boarders? In San Simone they have not been forgotten. The area in fact offers a half pipe, which in the last few years has increasingly attracted lovers of this discipline. In other words San Simone is a resort with something for everyone.
Distance from Bergamo: 57 kilometres
Altitude: mt 2024
Ski lifts: 7
Ski tracks: 14
Level: 5 easy - 2 hard.
Kilometres: 22
Artifi cial snow:
High and low pressure ski system.
Cross-country slopes: Placed in Laghetto d’Arale,1700mt, easy ski
ring 1,5km.
Services:1 Ski pass service for Foppolo, Carona, S. Simone; Free bus to Foppolo,1 snow board park; 1 ice skating and bobsleigh point.
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Piazzatorre: fields for skiing
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The beautiful green fi elds are one of the strong points of Piazzatorre in both summer and winter. In summer they are the delight of walkers and in winter they make it easier to prepare the slopes without having any of the stones so hated by skiers. Add to this the favourable position (to the north east) and Piazzatorre has it all. With its 44 kilometres of runs (5 easy runs, 6 medium and 3 diffi cult), it is the perfect resort for beginners and intermediate skiers. Snow cannons are positioned along 9 kilometres of runs, allowing skiing even during years when snow is scarce. The après-ski activities are also good; there is a covered artifi cial, Olympic-sized skating rink open all year on which ice hockey tournaments are often held.
Distance from Bergamo: 49 kilometres
Altitude: mt 1750
Ski lifts: 2
Ski tracks: 3
Level: 1 easy - 1 medium - 1 hard.
Kilometres: 5
Artificial snow: Low pressure system.
Services: 1 ice skating track; 1 ski renting point.
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Valtorta - Piani di Bobbio: two valleys, only one skipass
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Two valleys, Brembana and Valsassina, two provinces, Bergamo and Lecco, only one ski-pass for the Valtorta-Piani di Bobbio skiing area.
This area is the only one in the Orobie mountains to have developed on the slopes of two different valleys. It can be reached from both Valtorta in the Bergamo area, and from Barzio, an historic skiing resort
in Lecco province. The two places were joined in the middle of the eighties, when the new runs marked out from Piani di Ceresola towards the Brembana village were connected with Bobbio, giving
skiers the fi rst intervalley resort in Lombardy. Since then this spacious area – surrounded by an imposing range of peaks that culminate in the unmistakeable pyramid of the Pizzo dei Tre Signori – has become one of the most popular winter resorts of the Orobie mountains, thanks to its beautiful runs, in particular those on the Piani di Ceresola slopes, but thanks also to the farsighted alliance between the two valleys.
Distance from Bergamo: 53 kilometres
Altitude: mt 1750
Ski lifts: 8
Ski tracks: 16
Level: 5 easy - 6 medium - 5 hard.
Kilometres: 35
Artificial snow: Impianto a bassa pressione/Low
pressure system.
Cross-country slopes: Ratified ski rings “Rododendri” di 2,5 - 7,5 km . Placed in Piani di Bobbio, assistance centre.
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Oltre il Colle – Zambla: a valley open all year long
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The valley of Oltre il Colle, a natural divide between Val del Riso and Valle Serina, is the ideal place for mountain lovers who wish to choose between the numerous activities linked to winter and summer tourism.
Together with the runs for alpine skiing in Zambla Alta, equipped with snow cannons, and Monte Alben, a cross-country ski piste, one of the most beautiful and important in Lombardy is available to nordic ski enthusiasts. It runs for 15 km through woods and its sheltered position helps keep the snow in an excellent state until late spring. There is also a ice stating rink in Zambla Alta.
Distance from Bergamo: 38 kilometres
Altitude: mt 1300
Ski lifts: 2
Ski tracks: 2
Level: 2 easy.
Kilometres: 1
Cross-country slopes: Placed in Pian della Palla and Colli di Zambla, 1256 mt, medium ski ring 16km.
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