Bormio

Bormio - a small alpine town, situated in the heart of the central Italian Alps, within the Alta Valltelina region at 1225 m of altitude. A place surrounded by three razor-sharp massifs deserves a closer look.

The town of Bormio, with the population of about 5000 citizens, profits not only from ski tourism. The inhabitants of this modern and yet tradition abiding alpine town are acquainted with many crafts. On the other hand, numerous offices, banks and small companies are not unusual sight to this town, either.

Nevertheless, the most important aspect is still tourism, in winter as well as in summer. Bormio boasts with its famous health spa and all that they include - complex of pools, wellness centre and other attractions. In the summertime, there is a variety of outdoor activities such as climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, tour of the nearby glacier, tourist sightseeing etc.

Beside extreme, there are also some of the slightly less extreme but to heart and soul dear activities. Bormio, as well as the entire region, holds a good deal to gastronomy thus you will find a variety of authentic sorts of cheeses and similar, palate delicious products of high quality.

However, the main reason of our visit to Bormio was not its gastronomy offer (not counting the meals we had on our way here- not so bad actually), but the ski resort’s offer. Ski resort is situated on a hill and can be reached by a couple of gondolas, a 6 seat and an 8 seat gondola lift. Gondolas run up to 2000 m of altitude, where chair lifts take over, five of them in total. Chair lifts, although of a good quality, vary from the Leitner all the way to the new Doppelmayr 4 seat chair lifts with plexiglas cabins. Surface lifts, six of them in total, transport skiers at the resort’s central part. There is also a massive, 80 person capacity gondola, running to the resort’s highest peak at 3012 m of altitude.

This fact about the altitude is also one of the most interesting Bormio’s features. Using easy calculations, we come up with the information of an immense 1800 m of altitude difference. For that reason, Bormio’s ideal conditions for hosting FIS World Cup fast alpine disciplines and the recent FIS Alpine World Championship do not come as a surprise. The following information concerning the trails is a real treat for skiing experts.

It is sufficient to say that the blue trails are almost non-existent, not counting the two or three minor links within red trails. Most trails are red and black, well positioned (almost half day in the shade, thus prohibiting the melting of the snow) with configurations assuring a number of intersections. As a rule, trails are 2-3 kilometres long, or even lengthier. All the stated brings us to a conclusion that Bormio is not suitable for any skier. The resort is equipped with snow cannons, but only its middle and lower part, leaving the top to the good will of the snowfall. When the season is scarce regarding this question, problems occur regularly as soon as rocks start to show on the trail. Be extremely careful!

In wide spectre of genuine, sporting trails, we recommend linking the trails descending from the top to the foot, by all means. From the top, it is possible to descend down the Stella Alpina run. After just about 1000 m of altitude difference you can get on the Stelvio run, the famous host of the FIS World Cup races. Following that trail and its fast and steep parts, it is possible to reach Bormio or, to be more exact, the last station of gondola mentioned at the beginning of the story. Final part of Stelvio run is equipped with reflectors, thus offering the opportunity of night skiing to fans.

Hospitality services are satisfactory, but not of high quality when it comes to the number of buildings, with the weird (meaning ugly) existing architecture. The prices are affordable, even satisfactory; the food is extremely good - at least that what we tasted. Pizza costs €5 to €7, coffee with milk from €1 to €1.5, while soft drinks and chocolate are from €2 to €3.

Speaking of the buildings, we must mention the restaurant at the resort’s top, a part of the large gondola. You can order food and drinks upon entering the restaurant and consume it indoors. However, if you wish to eat and relax outdoors, you will have to cough up €1 which is clearly stated on the board in the stairway leading to the terrace: “Solarium = €1” (?). Who says you cannot charge the sun as well? Nevertheless, the terrace was packed - no further commentary is necessary.

Bormio is certainly a ski resort for demanding and competitive skiers. It is worth your while to take a one-day trip to Bormio if you are accommodated in Livigno. Fifty kilometres of trails that Bormio has to offer are certainly an unforgettable experience of one of the “blackest” ski resorts we have ever visited.

When you add the option of purchasing a ski pass for the entire Alta Valtellina region valid, apart from Bormio, for the nearby St Caterina, Valdidentro, 45 minutes far-away Livigno, you are not likely to refuse what this region has to offer, au contraire! All you need is a ski helmet, suit and a pair of race skis, and via Bormio! Stelvio is expecting you!

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