With approximately 2 million first lift-pass entries each year, the international Vialattea // Bardo system is now pursuing a broader development model in which tourism, the economy, employment and the quality of the visitor experience are all part of a shared vision.
“With an offering of up to 500 kilometres of ski slopes and a well-established presence in international markets, the Vialattea // Bardo system is now one of the leading tourist destinations in the Alpine region. Our ambition is to strengthen this position through investment, innovation and an enhanced visitor experience. We firmly believe that mountain destinations can and should be regarded as strategic infrastructure capable of generating economic value, employment and development for the entire area,” said Massimo Feira, Chairman of Sestrieres S.p.A.
The integration of Vialattea and Bardonecchia is one of the key pillars of this strategy: two destinations with strong identities and complementary characteristics, united by a shared vision for development based on investment, innovation and the enhancement of the local area, with the aim of creating a single major ski destination and strengthening the international positioning of the entire Alpine system.
“The integration with Vialattea, investments in snowmaking and the technological upgrading of our lift infrastructure are all part of a broader strategy designed to enhance the area’s competitiveness, improve the experience of our guests and generate value for the entire local economy. Bardonecchia is entering a new phase in its history: more integrated, more innovative and stronger, while remaining true to its authentic identity,” commented Nicola Bosticco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Colomion S.p.A.
“A long-term vision, strong cooperation between the most dynamic and forward-looking local stakeholders, significant investments to complete the expansion of the snowmaking system across the entire ski area, and initiatives to extend the tourism season and make the exceptional success of the 2025 summer mountain season a lasting achievement. These are the features that make the multi-year Vialattea and Bardonecchia project fully aligned with the development model supported by the Piedmont Region through substantial funding across all these sectors: a model based on innovation, quality, the integration of tourism, commerce, sport and major events, together with the promotion of food and wine excellence at both national and international level,” stated Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region, together with Regional Ministers Paolo Bongioanni (Trade, Agriculture and Food, Tourism, Sport and Post-Olympics, Hunting and Fishing, Parks), Marco Gallo (Mountains and Snow System) and Andrea Tronzano (Budget). “The public and private sectors are working together to strengthen the competitiveness of this key tourism area in Piedmont and its ability to attract emerging market segments, creating genuine value and long-term benefits for our mountain communities.”
The positive impact of the ski area’s development plan also extends to Piedmont’s regional capital, as highlighted by Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of the Metropolitan City and the City of Turin:
“The Olympic Mountains are one of the metropolitan area’s greatest assets: an environmental, economic and social heritage that strengthens the region’s ability to compete nationally and internationally. In this context, the Vialattea // Bardo system and the integration between Vialattea and Bardonecchia represent a strategic asset, enhancing the distinctive characteristics of each area within a shared development vision while increasing their overall appeal. It is essential to continue working with a long-term perspective, focusing on investment, innovation and year-round tourism to create a mountain destination that is increasingly vibrant throughout the year. Turin and its mountains form a single ecosystem: working together means strengthening their competitiveness and international positioning for the benefit of the entire metropolitan area and the Piedmont region.”
The close relationship with the local area – a key element of the development vision promoted by the management of Vialattea and Bardonecchia – was clearly reflected in the participation of Mauro Meneguzzi, President of the Unione Montana Comuni Olimpici Via Lattea; Chiara Rossetti, Mayor of Bardonecchia; Valeria Ghezzi, President of ANEF; and Gianpiero Orleoni, President of ARPIET Piemonte, all of whom expressed their full support for the project.
INVESTING FOR COMPETITIVENESS
The growth strategy is supported by a significant investment programme launched over recent years. Since 2022, Sestrieres S.p.A. has invested €50 million in the local area, confirming its commitment to reinvesting the resources generated into the development of the ski area, the improvement of infrastructure and the competitiveness of the destination.
A substantial share of these investments has been dedicated to upgrading the snowmaking system, regarded as a strategic asset to ensure operational continuity, snow quality and the reliability of the ski season. Approximately €20 million has been invested in this area alone. In Sestriere, the final phase of the major snowmaking modernisation programme launched in 2023 is nearing completion, with a total investment of €13.5 million covering the Alpette, Sises, Borgata and Banchetta sectors. At the same time, the programme is being extended to the other sectors of Vialattea, with €12.5 million already allocated to works in the Sauze d’Oulx, Cesana-Sansicario and Cesana-Claviere areas. Summer 2026 will mark the start of the first phase of these works, worth approximately €6.6 million, focused on strategic links and priority areas within the ski domain. The objective is to create an increasingly integrated, modern and sustainable Vialattea, capable of ensuring optimal conditions and an even more reliable ski season.
“Investing means building the future of the mountains. We continue to improve infrastructure and services in order to offer skiers an increasingly comprehensive and reliable experience. At the same time, we are also innovating our commercial offering through an earlier season pass campaign and new opportunities for our customers,” said Luisella Bourlot, Chief Executive Officer of Sestrieres S.p.A.
A MOUNTAIN DESTINATION THAT THRIVES ALL YEAR ROUND
This long-term vision extends well beyond the winter season and aims to strengthen the process of developing year-round tourism that is already underway. The objective is to progressively transform the Vialattea // Bardo system into a destination capable of generating value for most of the year, complementing the current approximately 130 days of winter operations with at least 90 days of summer activities, with the long-term goal of exceeding 220 operating days annually.
The strategy seeks to expand the range of activities including trekking, mountain biking, golf, outdoor experiences, events and nature tourism, creating new economic and employment opportunities while strengthening the role of the Olympic Mountains as an increasingly comprehensive year-round destination.
THE 2026/2027 SEASON SKI PASS CAMPAIGN GETS UNDERWAY
The event also marks the launch of sales for the 2026/2027 season ski passes, beginning on 4 July, several weeks earlier than in previous years.
For the first two weeks, the price of the season pass will remain unchanged for the third consecutive year. Thereafter, prices will increase gradually across three phases, while special offers will continue to be available for under-16s, families and customers who purchase early.
Among the main new features for next season are the inclusion of the 2027 summer season within the season pass and evening openings of the Kandahar Giovanni Alberto Agnelli slope in Sestriere for dedicated night skiing events.
