A reserve of fun and emotions in the snow
37 slopes that develop along 80km of slopes from 1,050 to 2,050 meters above sea level and that touch a total altitude difference of 10,000m, 16 ski lifts - 11 chairlifts, two ski-lifts, a gondola and three moving walkways - altogether more than 16km and overcoming a positive difference in height of 4,480m: these are just a few numbers, but they give a good idea of the extent of the Limone Piemonte ski area, the White Reserve .
The whole area is equipped with modern and efficient snowmaking systems, which make the slopes totally skiable even in the absence of adequate natural snowfall. This allows everyone to be able to plan their holiday in the snow at any time of the season, sure that the snow cover of Limone will always be in the ideal conditions to guarantee the pure pleasure of skiing.
A White Riserva for families
The White Reserve is a family friendly area, where every member of the family, of all ages, can have fun and test themselves on the snow in total safety, using ski slopes and facilities, such as the delimited "Tapis Roulant" area for introducing skiing at an altitude of 1400, suited to one's abilities.
Not only that: skiing with the family is also convenient, because when a parent buys a full-rate daily ski pass, they are entitled to a particular reduced rate for their children's ticket, with discounts that increase as the number of children increases, up to free for the fourth child.
There is no shortage of opportunities to initiate the little ones to ski by resorting to the professionalism of the many instructors active on the snow in the area.
And once you are in town? Get involved in the many events for children that are organized throughout the season! Limone will conquer you, transforming your holiday into an indelible memory of shared pleasure.
Area closed due to flooding
The White Reserve area is capable of satisfying the needs of all types of skiers: experts can test themselves by challenging the 11 difficult runs that guarantee unique and exciting descents with breathtaking views, while beginners have 4 easy runs on which they can practice. The remaining 21 slopes are intermediate level.
Seggiovia del Sole
Fun Slope
Pian del Sole
Alpetta
Located in the highest part of the ski resort, it is a difficult slope, therefore suitable for expert skiers, and is one of the most beautiful of the White Reserve, a real gem.
The first part exposed to the North-East is not very wide and has a wall with a good slope: at the bottom of it the track widens and allows the possibility to move to the right, where the track is very steep and demanding, or to the left, where the slope is gentler.
Thanks to its particular position, it is also a direct access point to various slopes suitable for those who love to freeride: in this regard, we remind you that to tackle off-piste downhill not only you need to be expert and prepared skiers but you must be in possession of the suitable equipment and have been informed in advance about the conditions of the blanket of snow and the evolution of the weather.
Furthermore, from Alpetta you can leave for excursions with sealskins: the closest destination is Mount Alpetta but there are also numerous other destinations from where, when the days are sunny and clear, you can see the sea and the distant Corsica, while towards the West and North the gaze embraces the Maritime and Cozie Alps, with Monviso, and again the Valdostane Alps with the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa that dominate the Po Valley.
Approved by FISI (Italian Winter Sports Federation), it often hosts winter sports competitions, such as Giant Slalom and Supergiant races.
The entire route can be covered using the Alpetta four-seater chairlift of the same name built in 1994 and, since 2006 thanks to Olympic funds, it can also be reached and partially covered by the Severino Bottero cable car, which starts directly from Limone, and by the Pian del Sole chairlift.
Speaking of the Alpetta, we have to focus on the 15th variant, the "Alpetta Olimpica", because this slope represents a piece of skiing history. In fact, it was the scene of the 1976 Italian Absolute Downhill Championships for men, a race that was a huge success with the public and registered the presence of over 10,000 spectators. "It was a memorable event - recalls Stefano Dalmasso, who had mapped out the race at the time -. A very fast and very beautiful race, which today would be the envy of Kitzbühel. We had also organized the special slalom on the Armand and the Giant Slalom on the Alpetta. The descent started right when you reached the top of the Alpetta chairlift and ended almost at the end of runway 16 (Olimpica Giacomo Marro): almost 800 meters in altitude! ». Golden times those, where there was talk of the Valanga Azzurra (Blue Avalanche) by Gustavo Thoeni, Piero Gros, Tino Pietrogiovanna and Paolo De Chiesa.
For the record, on that occasion the downhill saw the first place of Erwin Stricker, followed by Herbert Plank and Piero Gros.
Technical data: departure at 2.025m and arrival at 1.593m, total length of about 1.900m and total elevation gain of over 430m.
Alpetta Olimpica
Olimpica Giacomo Marro
Laghetti
Belvedere
Raccordo Sole Belvedere
Lagone
Lagone - Belvedere
Panice
Pancani
Pian del Leone
It is one of the most beautiful and popular slopes of the White Reserve, served by a detachable four-seater chairlift that replaces the previous lifts, a two-seater chairlift, and a double ski-lift that those who have frequented Limone Piemonte for a long time will remember well.
The two joined slopes of medium difficulty, allow for a long and continuous skiing experience, with more sloping sections that alternate with flatter sections: those who ride them know they can enjoy an always varied and interesting track.
Do not forget that the Pian del Leone - Pancani slope is positioned on the connection between the slopes of Quota 1400 and that of the Sole area, a strategic point of the White Reserve.
Technical data: start at 2.085m and finish at 1.575m, total length over 2.000m and total altitude difference of 510m.
Pancani Agonistica
Pancani Cabanaira
Cabanaira (Taglio Niculin)
Cabanaira
The slope is a splendid track of the White Reserve area and is suitable for experienced skiers who are immediately put through the hoops in the first section, the most difficult of the whole track with a maximum gradient of 52%, which offers a wall that must be skied with a lot attention.
For those who do not feel like it, there is an easier variant: a comfortable road that passes next to the “Capanna Niculin” restaurant allows you to avoid this really demanding stretch. The slope then reduces its inclination and widens by dividing it in two: in this section it is possible to ski in greater ease and fun, even if the track still requires some attention. The two variants come together after a while, the track narrows and you enter the woods. The last part runs on a small road that leads back to the Quota 1400 area.
The track can be taken by arriving from the Pian del Leone - Pancani chairlift, making the first part of the Pancani Cabanaira slope, or directly starting from the mountain station of the Cabanaira lift, which is located a few steps from the French border.
Technical data: departure at 1.972m and arrival at 1.378m, total length of about 2.700m (???) and total height difference of over 590m.
Cresta
Cresta Plateau
Carosello
Bebè
Eugenio Segre
Vallone dei Pastori
Vallone dei Pastori
Colle di Tenda Plateau
Guido Machetto
Located at an altitude of 1400, it is one of the most representative slopes of the entire area and was the scene of the National Championships and the Snowboard World Cup: it has significant slopes - the maximum is 48% - but is suitable for many skiers.
The route, after a first more exposed part with a medium slope, enters the woods and a more challenging long wall. Here the snow, thanks to the exposure, is always perfect. At the end of the forest, take a curve to the right and then enter the last part of medium difficulty, which leads to the departure of the chairlift.
To reach the track, take the Colle di Tenda chairlift and upon its arrival you have to take the short road to the right that ends with the beginning of the actual track. Technical data: start at 1.836m and finish at 1.485m, total length of about 1.350m and total height difference of over 350m.
Technical data: departure at 1.836m and arrival at 1.485m, total length of about 1.350m and total height difference of over 350m.
Gorba
Stradina Gorba
Giorgio Armand
It is not a steep slope and for this reason we tend to consider it easy, but it should not be underestimated because it is very technical.
Precisely for this characteristic, it is often used for special slalom competitions, a specialty to which it binds much of its historical charm. In Limone Piemonte, many still remember 1984, the year in which this track was the scene of the Women's Special Slalom World Cup.
Those were the times of the legendary Valanga Rosa (Rose Avalanche), the very strong female downhill team, which also on that occasion placed its winning mark: an amazing Daniela Zini won, followed by compatriot Nina Quario for a brace that became part of the annals of winter sports. That’s not all: with the sixth place taken on that occasion, Paola Magoni qualified for the XIV Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, where she won the gold medal in the special.
Technical data: start at 1.580m and finish at 1.402m, total length of about 870m and total height difference of 180m.