ALPE DI MERA TO DEBUT TRANSFORMATIVE NEW DOPPELMAYR GONDOLA FOR 2026/2027 WINTER SEASON

The Alpe di Mera ski area is poised for a major evolution. Following years of bureaucratic gridlock and financial hurdles, construction has officially commenced on a state-of-the-art gondola lift set to open in time for the 2026/2027 winter ski season.

Heavy machinery and engineering teams from renowned ropeway manufacturer Doppelmayr broke ground on the project this past April. The new lift represents a massive infrastructural leap forward for the boutique ski resort, which operates as part of the broader, interconnected Monterosa Ski network.

A Faster, Safer Ascent to the Snow

The incoming lift will completely replace the resort's aging, slow-moving two-seater chairlift, which has long served as the primary bottleneck from the valley floor in Scopello.

The new Doppelmayr system features modern, enclosed 10-seater gondola cabins designed to dramatically reshape the guest experience. The ascent time to the ski area will be slashed to just eight minutes. Beyond the sheer speed, the enclosed cabins will offer a significantly warmer, more comfortable, and safer ride up the mountain—a upgrade particularly welcomed by families and younger ski school participants who previously had to brave the elements on the exposed open chairs.

Transforming Into a Year-Round Destination

While the winter benefits are obvious, the €21 million-plus project was heavily engineered with a dual-season strategy in mind.

The spacious 10-seater cabins will seamlessly facilitate the transport of mountain bikes, unlocking major summer tourism potential for the Piedmontese valley. Local operators have confirmed that this lift is merely the first phase of a broader master plan; future investments have already been earmarked to construct a dedicated bike park on the slopes of Alpe di Mera to attract gravity riders throughout the summer and autumn months.

Public Funding Powers the Region

The ambitious €21 million price tag is being backed by a robust consortium of public funding. Capital has been secured from Italy's Ministry of Tourism, alongside substantial regional contributions from the Province of Vercelli, the Piedmont Region, the local Mountain Union, and a coalition of surrounding municipalities. Regional officials view the investment as a vital economic driver to secure the long-term viability of the valley's tourism economy.

Summer Access Adjustments

Because the old two-seater chairlift is currently being dismantled to make way for the new Doppelmayr towers, the resort will experience temporary access adjustments. For the remainder of the 2026 summer season, Alpe di Mera will not be accessible via ski lift. Visitors looking to enjoy the mountain during the construction phase must travel either on foot via the region's hiking trail network or by car up to the Trogo parking area.

Come December, however, skiers and snowboarders will be able to leave their cars in Scopello and glide up to the Alpe di Mera snowfields in premium comfort, signaling a bright new era for this Monterosa gem.