by InTrieste
This winter season has delivered record-breaking numbers for the Zoncolan ski hub in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with skier attendance surging by 24% compared to last year. Regional officials are celebrating this milestone as a testament to the area’s growing appeal and the success of recent investments in mountain tourism.
Since the slopes opened in late 2024, 93,158 skiers have visited Zoncolan as of January 12, a sharp rise from 75,146 in the same period last season. Lift usage, another key metric of activity, has also grown significantly, climbing to 913,795 rides compared to 780,532 in the previous year.
“This is a season of records for Zoncolan,” said Sergio Emidio Bini, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Regional Councillor for Tourism and Productive Activities, during a visit to the ski area on Saturday. “The region is committed to continuing its investments in mountain infrastructure, and for 2025, we’ve allocated €6 million for Zoncolan, in addition to the €3.5 million invested in 2024.”
Building for the Future
The investments have already delivered tangible results. PromoTurismoFVG, the region’s tourism board, used last year’s funds to develop a playground in Ravascletto (€750,000) and two new ski slopes—Laugiane and Variante Val Di Nuf—at a cost of €1.5 million.
Bini also announced the region’s plans for the next three years, highlighting a major project for 2025: the construction of a new reservoir at Tamai, with a budget of €2.5 million, to enhance snowmaking capabilities. “In the 2025–2027 period, we will allocate significant resources to provide increasingly high-quality services and support local tourism,” he said.
Spotlight on Zoncolan
Bini’s visit included a tour of the newly installed pump room, which has bolstered the power supply for Zoncolan’s mountain facilities, ensuring they can meet growing demand. The ski hub also drew national attention this week as journalists from Sky Calciomercato began broadcasting live from the slopes, showcasing Friuli Venezia Giulia’s mountain offerings to a wider audience.
Local leaders welcomed the developments. Sutrio Mayor Mattia Manlio and Ravascletto Mayor Ermes De Crignis joined Bini to review the progress and discuss future plans. Both emphasized the importance of the region’s continued focus on improving infrastructure and services to attract more visitors.
As the Friuli Venezia Giulia region doubles down on its commitment to mountain tourism, Zoncolan appears poised to build on its success, offering world-class skiing and a growing array of amenities in the heart of Italy’s northeast.
