Join the lucky travelers who have discovered the magic of quiet Madonna di Campiglio, a village best known for its great winter sports and stunning mountain scenery. Though many visitors come for some of the most popular ski slopes in the Dolomites, plenty of other options will keep you busy when you feel like giving your legs a rest. Enjoy a good selection of stores and restaurants, as well as the chance to experience more obscure winter sports, such as dogsledding. After the snow melts, the surrounding lakes, creeks and forest hiking trails draw outdoorsy visitors from Italy, Austria and beyond.
Find Madonna di Campiglio within the gorgeous Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. This stunning mountainous area is covered in winding paths leading through larch and fir forests and alongside glistening bodies of water. The town itself is flanked on one side by the Brenta Dolomites and on the other by the imposing glaciers of Adamello and Presanella. Some of the ski slopes nearby reach an elevation of 8,500 feet (2,600 meters).
Take the bus to Campo Carlo Magno to start out on beginner slopes. Intermediate runs are offered in several locations, including Grostè and Pradalago, among others. More challenging slopes exist in many different areas close to the resort town, but one of the perennial favorites is Spinale Direttissima.
The town itself is as pretty as some of the slopes. Take a day off from sports to explore the streets surrounding the pedestrianized central square, Piazza Righi. Shop for souvenirs in the little stores around this area or head to the nearby natural ice rink to skate. In the afternoon, join skiers relaxing in cozy cafés and bars such as Caffé Campiglio, Bar Suisse and Dolomiti.
Drive to Madonna di Campiglio in about 90 minutes from Trento train station or in less than 3 hours from Bergamo or Verona airport. The views along the way are exceptional.
