Macugnaga Ski Resort Italy

Set deep in the Valle Anzasca on the eastern side of the Monte Rosa massif, Macugnaga ski resort is a quiet, remote outpost in the Italian Piedmont with a surprisingly low-profile reputation despite its incredible location.

The two separate ski areas of Macugnaga provide over 1,450m of skiable vertical for a ridiculously cheap lift pass price, plus ski touring links into the Saastal of Switzerland. If one can cease gawking at the stupendous views of the glacier-draped landscape, the skiing & snowboarding can be fast, fun & adventurous.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

The Macugnaga skiing & snowboarding terrain totals around 32km worth of trails for all abilities. Lifts & runs are split between two areas, with the bases around 1½km apart (by road). The smaller Belvedere area has 550m of skiable vertical on north-east aspect, tree lined slopes. Main access is via chairlift from Pecetto. The larger Monte Moro area is on sunny south-facing slopes, accessed by a small old cable car from Staffa up to 1,700m elevation at Alpe Bill. A relatively modern cable car & chairlift serve the 1,100m of skiable vertical. From the top of Monte Moro, one can make descents into Switzerland toward Saas Fee but getting back up and into Italy will require human power (skinning). There is no valley trail down to the village from Alpe Bill.

An ample off-piste is available in both sectors. Larch forest provides some fun in the Belvedere, and long alpine off-piste is the go from Monte Moro. Backcountry options are endless, but generally only for the adventurous. Some of the best, most challenging, alpine descents from the Monte Rosa massif end in the valley above Macugnaga but are generally accessed via the lifts from the adjacent valley at Alagna & Monterosa Ski.

The ski lifts at Macugnaga range from the positively ancient (i.e. circa 1959!) to the comparatively modern. Do not expect any high-speed modern gondolas or chairs with heated seats here! Cold bums and long, bumpy lift rides are the norm. The lift pass price is low for a reason. Enjoy it while you can!

Check out the Macugnaga ski trail map.

Where is Macugnaga Italy?

Macugnaga sits deep below the highest peaks of the Monte Rosa hard up on the border with Switzerland in north-western Piedmont. Whilst at the end of a remote valley, the ski resort is only 110km (1½-2hr) northwest by road from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) & 42km west of the main train station at Domodossola. The area is easy to get to via train & bus from Milan via Domodossola, but bus services are extremely limited on weekends. The Comazzi buses leave from the Domodossola train station six times a day during the week & only twice a day on weekends. See the bus timetable here. The same company runs seven direct bus services from Milan Malpensa to Domodossola, with the journey taking less than 1½hr.

Due to the relatively limited nature of bus services to Macugnaga, for reasons of value & time efficiency, we recommend looking at a private transfer, particularly if in a group of 3 or more people.

Search & book all airport transfers to Macugnaga.

Of course a rental car provides a convenient means of travel to Macugnaga but be aware of potential issues when renting from Milan Malpensa airport - vehicles are very rarely winterised!

For hints, tips & warnings about getting to Italian ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Italy page.

Macugnaga Accommodation

The commune of Macugnaga consists of two villages in a lovely, forested valley at the base of each ski area. The hamlet of Pecetto is below the Belvedere at 1,369m altitude & Staffa sits at the base of the Monte Moro ski lifts at 1,327m. Both are separated by less than a kilometre. Staffa has the larger, more vibrant centre, but don’t expect too much in the way of nightlife! Both are surrounded by the stunning mountain splendour of the Monte Rosa massif.

An excellent range of high quality, but affordable, hotels & apartments are available in Macugnaga. All are within easy walking distance of the ski lifts & village centres. Some of the more highly-rated include Hotel Signal, Dream Hotel, Hotel Dufour, Residence Weissthor (hotel apartments) and the Residence Cima Jazzi (apartments).

Search & book all Macugnaga ski accommodation.

Review

The Powderhounds were intending to review Macugnaga during season 2019/20, but our best laid plans were then changed to the doomed 20/21 season. We will now visit next season, all things being well! More information and photos will come after our visit.

See how the rest of the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.

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