Madesimo, Italian Alps

Madesimo: 5 things to know before you go

Italian Alps, Italy ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

A snowy, north-facing resort near the Swiss border at the end of the Valchiavenna, Madesimo is famous for the Canalone, one of the longest freeride descents in the Alps. Stone village, big snow, serious skiing.

1.Is the snow reliable in Madesimo?

Generally yes. From 1550 m at the base to 2884 m up top, the profile holds snow well across a normal winter (score 86/100).

2.Do you need a car, or can you ski in and out?

Ski-in/ski-out depends on the address here: some hotels are on the snow, others need a short walk or shuttle. Pick a slopeside address if skiing from the door matters to you.

3.How big is the ski area, and who is it for?

With 60 km of piste on 14 lifts, it is a mid-size area, easy to get to know over a long weekend. The terrain is balanced (0 green, 14 blue, 28 red, 15 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.

4.What is the resort like?

Madesimo stands out for serious off-piste and freeride terrain.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Dec 1 to Apr 28 (about 21 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. Conditions soften as spring arrives, so earlier in the window is the safer call.

The full Madesimo guide

Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.

See the full Madesimo guide โ†’

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Madesimo have?
About 1334 m of vertical, from a 1550 m base to 2884 m at the top.
Is Madesimo part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 60 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Madesimo good for beginners?
Less so: the terrain leans intermediate and advanced (0 green, 14 blue), so committed beginners are better off starting elsewhere.

Where to stay

Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.

Hotel Soldanella
4.3373 reviews
โ‚ฌ105
โ˜… Top pick

Hotel Soldanella

Very good ยท 373 reviews

Why we like it

A dependable, well-reviewed choice for a stay in Madesimo.

Guests rate this hotel as very good (4.3/5 from 373 reviews). It sits about 750 m from the slopes. A budget-friendly option for Madesimo, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

โ‰ˆ 750 m to the slopesBudget-friendly
From
โ‚ฌ105/ night
Check availability โ†’
Hotel Capriolo
4.5260 reviews
โ‚ฌ125

Hotel Capriolo

Very good ยท 260 reviews

Why we like it

Strong value for Madesimo, with a high guest rating that punches above its nightly price.

โ‰ˆ 950 m to the slopesMid-range
From
โ‚ฌ125/ night
Check availability โ†’
Hotel La Meridiana
4.3216 reviews
โ‚ฌ105

Hotel La Meridiana

Very good ยท 216 reviews

Why we like it

A dependable, well-reviewed choice for a stay in Madesimo.

โ‰ˆ 900 m to the slopesBudget-friendly
From
โ‚ฌ105/ night
Check availability โ†’
Boscone Suite Hotel
3.8414 reviews
โ‚ฌ85

Boscone Suite Hotel

Good ยท 414 reviews

Why we like it

A dependable, well-reviewed choice for a stay in Madesimo.

โ‰ˆ 700 m to the slopesBudget-friendly
From
โ‚ฌ85/ night
Check availability โ†’

Ratings and review counts from Google Places. We may earn a commission on bookings.

Live snow reportSki-in/ski-out: Italy