by InTrieste
Friuli Venezia Giulia is gearing up for what promises to be a standout ski season. With €10.7 million invested in upgrades across its six ski areas, regional officials are banking on a blend of affordability, innovation, and tradition to draw skiers from around the world.
The season officially begins on the weekend of December 7, coinciding with Italy’s Immaculate Conception holiday, and runs through March 30. Sella Nevea, a standout destination for alpine enthusiasts, will extend its operations until April 13. High-season pricing kicks in from December 16 to March 16, with lower rates bookending the season.
Regional Councillor for Tourism Sergio Emidio Bini struck an optimistic tone: “This year’s ski season opens with many new features, thanks to significant maintenance, restyling, and modernization efforts. These investments underscore the strategic importance of our mountains in developing the region’s tourism sector.”
A Revamped Experience on the Slopes
PromoTurismoFVG, the organization behind these enhancements, has implemented upgrades tailored to attract visitors of all levels. Key highlights include:
- Zoncolan: €3.1 million poured into snowmaking systems, cable car enhancements, and two new ski runs. The Ravascletto playground received a makeover, adding family-friendly appeal.
- Tarvisio and Sella Nevea: A €2 million overhaul revitalized gondolas and snowmaking capabilities, ensuring optimal conditions for popular slopes.
- Forni di Sopra-Sauris: €2.4 million addressed safety with an avalanche control system and modernized snowmaking infrastructure.
- Piancavallo: €500,000 financed the creation of a synthetic slope, complete with lighting, and an eye-catching new “Pianca” sign.
- Sappada: €1.4 million was allocated for chairlift upgrades, snow groomers, and a sleek underground parking facility at Kratten.
Affordability: The Region’s Ace in the Hole
Friuli Venezia Giulia is making waves for its affordability, a rarity in the Alpine skiing world. Daily adult lift passes remain competitively priced at €44 during peak season and €31 in low season. Families, a core demographic, benefit from €10 passes for under-20s and free access for the youngest skiers.
“These prices, unchanged from last year, set us apart from other Alpine destinations,” Bini noted.
Momentum and Meteorological Hopes
Pre-sales for seasonal ski passes have already hit €1.4 million, marking a surge in interest. Officials hope to surpass last year’s 9 million lift pass transactions, a figure that represented a 7.8% increase from pre-pandemic numbers.
Weather, as always, remains the great unknown. “We’re optimistic, but we depend on favorable conditions to match or exceed last year’s performance,” Bini said.
The stakes are high for Friuli Venezia Giulia, but so is the potential. With its blend of cutting-edge infrastructure and unbeatable pricing, the region is positioning itself as a premier winter destination in the Alps.
