Aprica

Details

Written by: Jim Walker

Last Updated: 20 Aug 2012

Aprica is quite a large as well as a long established resort town sitting on a huge pleateau in the Valtellina region of Italy, between the provinces of Sondrio and Brescia. The surrounding countryside is a national park protected by law and village houses and decorated with picturesque murals depicting local nature and traditions.. The medium-sized ski area on the south Orobic side of the valley, with north east facing slopes, is well suited to beginners and intermediates who have a 1.5km wide village-side area served by a selection of parallel surface lifts. However the slopes ascend to 2270m, more than 1000m above the valley floor giving access top terrain for more advanced skiers and boarders. The local Nature Reserve of Pian di Gembro has beautiful views and scenery accessibly by cross country skis and snowshoes.

An excellent resort for beginners who have a 1.5km wide village-side area served by a good range of lifts.

Mountain

The heart of Aprica's ski area is accessed by either a gondola or a chairlift from near the village centre which rise up to Malga Palaboine. From here a variety of easy and intermediate runs descend back down through the trees to the village. Alternatively a succession of chair and surface lifts take skiers to the top of the lifts at Dosso Paso - accessing steeper open snow fields above the treeline. The runs down are graded red and black, including the 2.3km long Benedetti black run which descends a full vertical kilometre down to the village. The other main way in to the ski area is by taking the Magnolta gondola from the western side of the village. This accesses blues and reds served by a chair and two drag lifts at the top, but the only way back down, besides the gondola, is on the resort's other black, the two kilometre long Inferiore. A new run, the Superpanoramica is popular with novice skiers, descending over six kilometres (nearly four miles) down from 2000m to town. About 80% of trails have snow making. The Baradello 2000 ski area was improved for the 2005 season with a new chairlifts and five new runs across all categories added. This area, along with Palabione and Magnolta are all connected. You can also choose to take a day excursion to larger resorts in the area including Bormio, Livigno and St Moritz. Cross country skiing is big in the Valtellina area with long trails through the national park and altitude circuits in the area.

Families

There are few special facilities for families in Aprica. The ski school accepts children aged five years and over but they may not be in special children's classes. The resort does offer good facilities for families however, with an intrimate friendly ski area; off slope facilities including the public swimming pool and high value dining on pizza and pasta - family favourites worldwide!

Eating Out

There are 20 pizzerias and restaurants in town most serving a selectiuon of Italian staples - pasta, pizza and spaghetti at reasonable prices. Try the local 'pizzaoccheri' which combines cabbage, potatoes and pasta. Look out too for dishes made with a base of the local black flour made of buck wheat. Beware not to eat too much however as a local proverb predicts that when the local wine anmd buck wheat runs out "l'e scia la fin del M Unt" - the end of the world will come. Other products include Bresaola - a typical cured meat and local cheeses.

Apres

Apres ski is centred on a range of hotel bars and you can try ice skating, go to the cinema or the indoor swimming pool. Ensure you try some of the local Valtellina wine in the town centre bars.

Boarding

A new terrain section for boarders and freestylers has been created at Baradello. In addition the terrain mix of runs through the forest with plenty of natural hits on the piste edges; and open powder fields above are attractive for boarders. Gondola uplift also makes it easier for boarders to access terrain anbd avoid the need to take a surface lift.

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