€1.2M Ski Lift Upgrade Awarded for Campigna: Graffer Srl to Replace Historic 'Capanna' Surface Lift in Foreste Casentinesi National Park

The ski area of Campigna, nestled in the heart of the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, and Campigna National Park, is set for a major infrastructure overhaul. The Province of Forlì-Cesena has officially awarded the contract for a new surface lift at the Fangacci site to Graffer Srl, an Italian ropeway infrastructure manufacturer based in Lonato del Garda (Brescia).

The project will replace the aging sciovia della 'Capanna' (Capanna surface drag lift), which had reached the end of its operational lifespan and could no longer pass mandatory technical revisions. The contract was awarded following an integrated tender process covering both executive design and construction, with Graffer Srl submitting a winning contract bid of €880,358.83 (excluding VAT).

The Campigna ski area, officially known as Campigna – Montefalco, is a cozy winter resort in the Casentinesi Forests National Park along the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, sitting at elevations between 1,510 and 1,650 meters. It features two downhill runs, a terrain park, cross-country tracks, and equipment rentals.

Slopes and Lifts

• Red slope: Medium difficulty, 1,100 meters long, served by a main ski lift.

• Black slope: Difficult run, 950 meters long.

• Beginner & Fun area: A carpet lift serves a 100-meter school slope and a separate 100-meter bobsled and sled track.

• Snowpark: Includes three trick lines and jumps ranging from 5 to 8 meters. 

Cross-Country and Touring

• Cross-country: A well-groomed 5-kilometer loop circuit (plus a shorter 3-kilometer beginner loop) maintained by a snow groomer.

• Backcountry: Extensive trails dedicated to snowshoeing, ski touring, and alpine hiking through beech and pine forests. 

Amenities and Services

• Ski School: Headquartered at the local La Capanna mountain lodge.

• Rentals: On-site gear for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoes.

• Season: Typically runs from mid-December through April, depending on natural snowfall. You can check current operational conditions via Emilia Romagna Tourism.

Financing and Project Breakdown

The replacement lift forms part of a broader €1.2 million investment framework dedicated to modernizing public winter sports infrastructure in the Apennines:

• Funding Structure: Co-financed through Italy's Fondo Unico Nazionale per il Turismo (FUNT)—allocated via the Emilia-Romagna Region—alongside direct capital contributions from the Province of Forlì-Cesena.

• Administrative Timeline: The Province approved the initial technical-economic feasibility project (PFTE) in March, establishing a base auction value of €888,573.68 before finalizing the public tender.

• Scope of Works: Removal and decommissioning of the defunct Capanna drag lift, complete ground construction, tower installation, and mechanical assembly of the new lift system at Fangacci.

Balancing Tourism Infrastructure with National Park Conservation

Because the Fangacci ski sector sits entirely within the protected borders of the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, and Campigna National Park, provincial authorities and local leaders emphasized that construction protocols must adhere to strict environmental safeguards.

"The replacement of the old ski lift is part of our plan to strengthen infrastructure across the Campigna area. The new lift will overcome operational criticalities and offer greater continuity and safety for skiers. Special attention will be paid to construction management given the high environmental value of the park." said  Enzo Lattuca, President of the Province of Forlì-Cesena, and Roberto Cavallucci, Vice President

Local municipality leadership echoed the sentiment, framing the project as a vital economic boost for the small mountain communities in the Romagna Apennines.

"The awarding of the contract is a crucial step toward realizing a long-awaited lift that will improve our territory's attractiveness and enhance the tourist and naturalistic value of Campigna." added Ilaria Marianini, Mayor of Santa Sofia

The new lift is expected to provide enhanced reliability and safety for family skiing, snowshoeing, and winter tourism across the Northern Apennines.