Hidden gem is an often – used cliche, but it fits Madesimo. This small village north of Lake Como, on the Swiss border, is virtually unknown to American skiers. In fact, 11years ago, we brought the very first group of American skiers to Madesimo. The resort has 4,600 feet of vertical and twelve lifts. By Alps standards, Madesimo is not huge, but it skis big. There is plenty to keep intermediate and beginner skiers happy for the week. For experts, it is spectacular. There is a huge amount of off-trail guided skiing and heli-skiing. An added bonus: There is a spectacular 2-hour snowmobile ride up to the Splugen Pass on the border with Switzerland. On one late afternoon, we will all jump on snowmobiles and do an easy guided ride to the top of the pass. It is included in the tour and it will be something you will never forget. Bottom line: immense off-trail terrain and heli-skiing, uncrowded slopes and well-groomed trails, one of the warmest and friendliest villages Skiman has visited in 54 Alps ski weeks, outstanding local cuisine, a wonderful family-owned 4-star hotel…. Madesimo is indeed a hidden gem.

Meals, lift pass, snow mobile tour, wine tasting and lunch, 4 course wine-paired dinner

$1,699 double occupancy

single occupancy +$189 single room OR double room used as sngl: $299

For deposit and payment information : Logistics page

The Skiing: As previously mentioned, there are no crowds at Madesimo. It is just remote enough and just difficult enough to get to… perfect. There are plenty of trails for intermediates and the backcountry is huge. The guided expert and heli will be excellent. We will repeat a great day-long adventure where we ski backcountry all the way to another village, have a great lunch, and take a train back home at the end of the day. Also, heli is on tap for one day, weather permitting. Another unique feature of Madesimo is an in-bounds expert run called Caneloni that is like an off-trail run in bounds. Madesimo is not a huge resort but it skis big. And the lack of crowds is priceless.

We always offer backcountry skiing led by local Alpine Guides for our Alps tours. The off-trail, backcountry skiing in the European Alps is as good as it gets and there is nothing quite like it in North America with the exception of heli-skiing. If you are an expert, you need to do this with us. The guided skiing in the Alps is always THE highlight of our ski season. It is the reason why Dan the Skiman has returned to ski the Alps for the past 28 years. The guides are masters from whom you learn so much, the terrain is unrivaled, the beauty of the Alps with no one around. The challenge going solo to Europe and skiing the backcountry is that the guides are expensive. But by having other skiers dividing the cost, it becomes very affordable. 

Gallery on right are photos of some of the backcountry skiing on our last visit to Madesimo, which included one amazing heli-day.

NOTE: Heli-days in the Alps are spectacular, offering long runs and zero skiers. The scenery and the terrain make for BIG days. Only Italy and Switzerland allow heli-skiing. We are going to both countries this March, and we will fly one of our guided days if the conditions allow.

Our home for the week: 4-star Hotel Andasi / Famiglia Masanti

Andasi is four-star hotel owned and operated by the Masanti family. It is impeccable. They Masantis and their staff will make you feel like a part of their family by the end of the week. Deb and Skiman felt so welcomed here on our scouting trip years ago. The first thing Titiana (your Italian mom for the trip) did was offer us something we had never had: an aperol spritz. It has become one of our favorite drinks and every time we have one, it brings back memories of Andasi. The kitchen prepares excellent local cuisine daily for its guests and you will enjoy a superb breakfast and dinner daily, included in your tour.

We love this hotel, its owners, its staff. You will as well.

BONUS:  Snow mobile tour included

We are repeating a wonderful experience from our first trip to Madesimo: a snow mobile ride to the top of the Splugen Pass on the border with Switzerland. The scenery is beyond description and the snow machines are a lot of fun, whether you are driving or riding as a passenger. The path is actually a paved road in the summer. In winter it is closed to all vehicles except snow mobiles. So the ride is not technical or dangerous. It is a leisurely cruise through beautiful terrain. We will do this activity on one of our ski days, late in the afternoon. This is included in your tour. The trip is based on two people per snow mobile. If you want your own machine there is an additional cost of $85. You are going to love this!