Prato Nevoso Breaks Ground on Italy’s First Eight-Seater Chairlift

The skyline of the Prato Nevoso basin is transforming as work begins on a flagship infrastructure project: the installation of a cutting-edge, eight-seater detachable chairlift. The project, a first of its kind for Piedmont and Northwest Italy, marks a massive leap forward in the region’s effort to modernize its alpine offerings.

The new lift is designed to replace the basin's historic four-seater chairlift, which has served generations of skiers. However, the old lift isn't headed for the scrap heap; in a sustainable move by resort directors, the four-seater will be relocated and put back into service in the Gavo Valley, with its new arrival station situated just beneath the iconic Mondolè peak.

Engineering a New Era

Construction is currently moving at a rapid pace to meet a strict summer deadline. Following the successful installation of the support poles and the completion of the mountain station, crews have now shifted their focus to the base of the mountain.

• Current Phase: Heavy excavation is underway to lay the foundations for the valley station.

• Technology: The detachable system will allow for higher speeds and significantly increased capacity, drastically reducing lift lines during peak season.

• Timeline: Completion is slated for late summer, ensuring the lift is fully operational for the 2026/27 ski season.

A Master Plan for the Mondolè Ski Area

This high-tech chairlift is not a standalone project but a central pillar of a broader strategic plan for the local resorts. As the ski industry faces evolving weather patterns, Prato Nevoso is doubling down on infrastructure and resilience.

"This project represents one of the most significant investments in our history," a spokesperson for the resort area noted. "By updating our facilities and simultaneously modernizing our artificial snowmaking capabilities, we are ensuring that Prato Nevoso remains a top-tier destination regardless of the challenges the winter may bring."

Beyond the Basin

The relocation of the older lift to the Gavo Valley is expected to open up new terrain and improve skier flow across the entire Mondolè Ski sector. By reusing the existing machinery, the resort is able to expand its footprint while focusing its primary capital on the "cutting-edge" eight-seater that will serve as the basin's new heart.

Prato Nevoso (or Pratonevoso) is a ski and holiday resort in northern Italy. It is located at 1480 metres above sea level, in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont, within the municipal boundaries of the comune of Frabosa Sottana, of which it is a frazione, some four kilometres south of its centre. The resort's name means "snowy meadow" in Italian.

Prato Nevoso's history as a resort dates back to the early 1960s, when a group of Ligurian entrepreneurs decided to create a resort easily accessible from Genoa and Turin.

The rapid building programme and the low initial costs of flats spurred tourism, as well as the presence of the A6 Turin-Savona motorway (enlarged during the 1990s). The expansion of the resort did not follow established principles of town planning, and buildings sprung up in somewhat anarchic fashion.

With the summer sun beating down on the excavators in the valley, the message from Piedmont is clear: the future of Italian skiing is faster, smarter, and higher capacity.