Winter detox: a thousand ways to experience the mountains in Piedmont

There are 400 km of slopes that make it the largest white ski area in the Western Alps: this is Via Lattea, linking Claviere, Cesana Torinese, Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario, Pragelato and Sestriere. Here, the New Cit Roc chairlift takes you up to 2,377 metres to then glide over the Alpette and Sises slopes with a view of the legendary Giovanni Alberto Agnelli Kandahar slope, home of World Cup races. Neighbouring Bardonecchia, the queen of snowboarding, captivates with 100 km of pistes in the two BardonecchiaSki resorts (Jafferau, higher up, and Colomion-Les Arnauds-Melezet, from which you can reach the many ski resorts). There are many winter activities suitable for everyone: cross-country skiing (22 kilometres of slopes), snowshoeing, snow tubing, horseback riding and Alpine Coasters, snowmobiling and FAT biking. The small resorts on the outskirts of Turin, then, are an authentic white "paradise", starting with Prali, a historic meeting place for lovers of off-piste skiing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Then Balme, home to alpine guides, the Valleys of Lanzo, Sangone and Germanasca up to the Piedmontese side of the Gran Paradiso National Park with Ceresole Reale.

Sport and fun, well-being in a simply enchanting winter setting: we are in the Oasi Zegna Natural Park which has 11 slopes between 1,200 and 1,650 metres along 20 km of downhill slopes – in Bielmonte - and 20 km for the bottom and rackets at Bocchetto Sessera. Here, at Winter Bielmonte Kids, children can enjoy games and entertainment on the parterre in total safety and take their first steps on the slopes, thanks to the more than 50 teachers available and a baby park. Oasi Zegna is 360° mountain watching: from Bielmonte the view embraces the Po Valley and from Monte Marca Mountain Hut the spectacle of Monte Rosa is phenomenal.

In Cuneo, Limone Piemonte is the star of Riserva Bianca, the area of the Maritime Alps, on the border with France: in the beautiful basin that connects three valleys there are over 80 km of slopes and itineraries for all those who love hiking. For those who like to launch themselves downhill, there are 56 km of scenic slopes, such as the Pancani slope, which is over 2 km long. The Del Sole and Limone 1400 nursery slopes are particularly suitable for beginners and children, the Gogolandia village offers snowtubing and inflatables. In Artesina, Prato Nevoso and Frabosa Soprana, in the vast Mondolèski area with a single ski pass you can fly on over 130 km of slopes. In Crissolo, at the foot of Monviso, ski mountaineering is practised, like in Garessio 2000, also perfect for descending, while Paesana, in the Po Valley, is an authentic "white terrace" overlooking the plain, where you can have fun descending, ski mountaineering, snowboarding or in long and relaxing walks with snowshoes. The resorts of Entracque and Lurisia, San Giacomo Cardini Ski and Viola Saint Greé, Argentera and Ponte Chianale Ruca Ski are also very attractive, especially for families.

Between Lago Maggiore and Lago d 'Orta, the view from the slopes of the Neveazzurra area – which includes all the resorts of the Verbano Cusio Ossola area – is simply breathtaking. Cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are the most popular activities. With skis or snowshoes you can discover the area at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif, to reach Macugnaga with the two areas of Belvedere and Monte Moro. A must for cross-country skiers are the Riale ring in Alta Val Formazza, and the San Michele ring in Formazza. Moving on to the Vigezzo Valley, the cross-country loop from Druogno to Malesco, passing by Santa Maria Maggiore, while in the Antrona Valley, the 2.8 km loop is ideal for beginners. Downhill skiing and snowboarding dominate in Piana di Vigezzo, which can be easily reached by cable car. Domobianca, just 10 kilometres from Domodossola, offers 21 kilometres of pistes (and a 3,000-metre floodlit one), snow park and baby park, snowshoeing and ski mountaineering trails. In San Domenico di Varzo, between 1400 and 2550 metres, alpine skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing and long off-piste excursions are practised. And for the smaller skiers, fun is guaranteed in the ski resorts and baby parks of Valdo (Val Formazza), Cheggio (Valle Antrona) and Baitina di Druogno (Valle Vigezzo).

In Valsesia, the Monterosa Ski area is a real ski resort along the slopes of Monte Rosa, with over 180 km of slopes between Piedmont and Valle d 'Aosta. Loved by snowboarders and off-piste enthusiasts, Alagna is literally the "paradise of freeride", a unique sports and fun centre, immersed in a landscape of rare beauty. Finally, Alpe di Mera – Scopello is the perfect alternative for those who want to experience the mountains at a slow pace. From Scopello village, the chairlift is the only way to climb the Alpe di Mera and launch yourself on 30 kilometres of slopes, mostly red, with enchanting views of Monte Rosa. Well-marked trails are the usual destination for snowshoers and skialpers.

For more information: https://www.visitpiemonte.com/en/outdoor/snow-an-authentic-experience

Content compiled with information provided by our partner Piedmont Region