by InTrieste
Piancavallo, a small alpine town in Friuli Venezia Giulia, is undergoing a transformation aimed at making it a year-round tourist destination. With a 13.5 million euro investment from the regional government over two years, the area has seen a remarkable 34% increase in visitors since 2019, according to regional officials.
Sergio Emidio Bini, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Regional Councillor for Productive Activities, highlighted the efforts during a visit on Saturday. “Piancavallo has radically transformed its image,” he said, citing its appeal to both domestic and international tourists.
Key investments include the opening of Italy’s first synthetic grass ski slope managed by PromoTurismo FVG, enabling skiing in all seasons, and the renovation of the Busa del Sauc, a mountain eatery upgraded with a modern underfloor heating system and energy-efficient design. Another highlight is the ongoing restoration of the Park Hotel Monte Cavallo, which aims to attract high-end tourism to the region.
Bini emphasized the importance of expanding mountain tourism beyond winter. “Between May and August this year, Piancavallo recorded over 100,000 visitors, setting a new record,” he said, adding that summer activities and extended tourism seasons are key to the area’s success.
As part of this transformation, new signage and infrastructure upgrades are being rolled out to improve the visitor experience, including the installation of a large “Pianca” sign near Nevelandia, the town’s winter playground.
Piancavallo’s resurgence is part of a broader effort by Friuli Venezia Giulia to reinvent its mountain regions, which are rapidly becoming a model for sustainable, year-round tourism.
