Madonna di Campiglio is located in Italy's northern region of Trentino, beneath impressive Dolomiti di Brenta massif. Apart from rich after-ski offer, this resort, primarily known as being popular with Milan's jet-set, also offers some of the best slopes in the region.
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The resort spans in two main directions from the town itself; in the direction of Passo Groste and the direction of Pradalago. Both have equal number of ski trails, but are oriented toward different profiles of skiers. Madonna di Campiglio has 55 km of trails, but since it is by the system of ski lifts linked with the neighboring Folgarida-Marilleva, skiers have at their disposal 108 km of ski trails that can be skied without taking off the skis. Beneath the Passo Groste mountain pass, there is a natural ravine filled with snow and sun, surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks. There, a great and large Ursus snowpark is situated, a paradise for those prone to exhibition of skill. It is also a great place for getting some sun. 7.5 km long red and blue trail leads to the valley, a true pleasure for the less skilled skiers. More experienced can start towards the neighboring Monte Spinale, from whose peak they can descend to Madonna following the red Spinale Diretta trail or, even better, Spinale Direttissima, if you are into black trails. At its end, Spinale Direttissima has an inclination of 70%.
If you want to pass from one to the other side of the resort, there is a wooden bridge with magic carpet taking you to the other side. The side of the resort in the direction of Pradalago also has nice sun-exposed slopes. There, you will often encounter ski schools and beginners making their first turns. If you don't like crowd and want to experience the FIS WC slope, you can try the famous 3-tre trail which is equipped for night skiing, also. In the year 2009, Madonna is to link with the neighboring Pinzolo, which is to increase the total trail length to 135 km.
Besides from skiing perfectly groomed slopes, 90% of which are covered by snowmaking system, Madonna offers a variety of other sports activities such as cross-country skiing, skating, ski touring, snowshoeing... At the foot of the resort, there are ski schools' offices, ski service and ski rent shops, sports shops...
A six-day adult ski pass costs EUR166 (EUR175 in high season). Children up to 8 years of age ski free of charge. You can also get a ski pass for the whole Skirama Dolomiti Adamello-Brenta ski area, including 380 km of trails at the resorts such as Folgarida-Marilleva, Passo Tonale, Paganella, Folgaria...The price is EUR176 (199 in high season).
For the last descent of the day, it is good to pick out the 3-tre trail, at whose foot there is the rifugio Patascoss offering an after-ski warm up after a day on the slopes. The party continues later in the evening at the centre of Madonna. The atmosphere is additionally warmed up by the international hits coming from the loudspeakers at the town squares. The shops are full of fancy, branded apparel. Bars and taverns, with typical gastronomic offer, get very lively. As one would expect, streets turn into a catwalk unveiling latest winter designs.
As for accomodation, Madonna is rather costly. Those wanting to get something less expensive, can search for accommodation in the near by Val di Sole. The resorts are linked, and the accomodation in the hotels of the same category at the letter resort is sometimes double cheaper. Also, it will take you some 15 minutes car ride from Folgaride to Madonna, by regularly cleaned winding road. As for food prices at the resort, they are more or less ordinary: pasta (EUR6-7), saussages with side dish (EUR6), Vienna stake (EUR10), beer (EUR4), coffee (EUR2.50).
Madonna di Campiglio is easily accessible from A22 highway which runs from Modena to Innsbruck. After the exit San Michele all'Adige there is about 60 km to Madonna. Nearby are airports of Verona, Brescia, Bolzano and Bergamo with to/from shuttle service. Same service is available to/from train stations in Trento and Bolzano.
Nice slopes, and even nicer scenery are the reason why skiers visit this resort. And there will be even more reson for visiting after it is linked with Pinzolo. Also, it might prove fun to ski with Michael Schumacher, who is a frequent visitor, and try to overtake him at least on a ski piste...
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