Bardonecchia / Sestriere Says The tourism of the future must be designed for 12 months

A year and a half ago, Colomion SPA, which operates the slopes and facilities of the Piedmontese ski resort of Bardonecchia, was acquired by the British fund iCon. Back in 2022, the fund had already acquired Sestriere's SpA, the company that manages the large Vialattea ski area.

The initial steps with the new owners focused on a collaboration between the two tourist destinations, designed to bring mutual benefits – within the framework of a broader enhancement of the Piedmontese mountain region. A vast ski area with more than 400 km of slopes, stretching from Bardonecchia through Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario to Claviere – each resort with its own focus, but united by the goal of strengthening their position, particularly in international markets.

The results were immediately apparent: Colomion already recorded a 10% increase in ticket sales last season, while this year an increase of 25% was achieved – aided by a winter with good snow conditions, explained Nicola Bosticco, CEO of Colomion SpA, in an interview with La Stampa.

To prepare for future challenges, millions have been invested in artificial snowmaking, which is now essential for every ski resort. With the new system, “we are able to produce snow much earlier and at a lower cost – and that is crucial for a ski resort. Previously, our production times were significantly longer, which meant that the slopes were opened gradually, not all at the start of the season as is now the case. This also guarantees work for the entire value chain surrounding the facilities: hotels, shops, rental stations, and ski schools,” Bosticco explained.

However, the real path to the future is seasonal diversification, which has already led to 50% of revenue coming from non-skiing activities – from the bike park to the alpine coaster.

“Competition in tourism is won by focusing on a sustainable, innovative, and integrated offering,” through networking and joint projects that create added value for the entire community. Cable cars remain central to this: every euro spent on a ski pass generates 8 to 12 times that amount in economic impact for the region. “A powerful engine for the destination,” Bosticco concluded.

“Thanks to foreign investment, Bardonecchia has modernized its infrastructure and is also promoting alternative sports and a more even use of the mountains throughout the year,” commented Valeria Ghezzi, President of ANEF. “The operators are aware of the challenges they will face in the coming years – above all, climate change – and are preparing for them as best they can, recognizing that skiing remains a crucial product.”