Why I keep going back to a low resort in April
Hugo, our Sales and Service Director, has worked with Ski Solutions for over 17 years. With four ski seasons under his belt and over 30 years of skiing, he knows just about everything there is to know about the ski world. He is not only a crucial member of the team and a favourite at our social events, but he’s a family man who takes every opportunity to spend time with his family on the slopes. Hear what he has to say about his favourite ski resort to visit with his family.
Hugo’s Family Pick: Madonna di Campiglio
For the past three years, I’ve travelled to a fairly unknown Italian resort, at a fairly low altitude, in the middle of April for my family ski holiday – Madonna di Campiglio. A low, Italian resort, in April, seems like a risk, so why three years running?
Many families with young children are keen to ensure they have an English instructor, in a French resort, with plenty of runs, and the best chance of fresh snow. Hence why so many people choose to travel to France at half term. However, that comes with some drawbacks; the pistes are busy, the lessons are costly, the lift queues are exhausting, and fresh snow is far from a given.
For the last three years, I’ve stayed at Hotel Touring in Madonna di Campiglio. It’s a very unassuming 3-star hotel. The décor is a touch dated, and you have to walk to the gondola each morning. However, I love it. So does my wife, and so do my two children. The hotelier Manny is simply lovely. She owns and runs this spotless, charming hotel. The food is very traditional and delicious, but if you really don’t like anything on the menu, just say, they’ll find something that works for you or your children. The facilities are amazing considering it’s only a 3-star hotel, sauna, steam room, pool, jacuzzi. However, this homely hotel isn’t the only reason we travel back each year in April…
Stay At:
Hotel Touring is situated in the heart of Madonna di Campiglio, in a sunny position on the hill.
Madonna di Campiglio has been a firm favourite for Ski Solutions staff for over 15 years. It’s a short 2-hour drive from Verona and offers extensive skiing spanning the resorts of Pinzolo, Folgarida, Marilleva and Madonna itself. The ski area is actually only 156km in size, but it feels far bigger. It’s a buzzy resort, particularly over New Year, however in April is quiet. Really quiet. And that’s the reason for travelling back to Madonna each year. Although we’ve had fresh snow in April, I wouldn’t say that’s common, but as with most resorts they manage their snow well and there is always plenty on the piste to ski on.
If you want your children to love skiing, go somewhere quiet. They’ll have plenty of room on the mountain to practice and they won’t spend half their day in lift queues.
P.S. Please don’t actually go, otherwise I won’t have the resort to myself!
To find out more about Madonna di Campiglio and family skiing, please call our ski experts on 020 7471 7700.
