Two Bidders Square Off to Relaunch Crissolo's Monviso Chairlift and Revitalize Po Valley Tourism

Nestled at the foot of the iconic Monviso peak in the upper Po Valley (Valle Po) of Piedmont, Italy, the small alpine municipality of Crissolo has reached a decisive crossroads. As the deadline closed for expressions of interest to manage and redevelop the Monviso chairlift infrastructure, municipal authorities confirmed that two distinct commercial entities have formally submitted competing bids to take the helm.

Resort Overview

• Elevation: Ranging from a base of 1,333 meters up to a summit of roughly 2,450 meters (Mount Ghincia Pastour).

• Lifts: 4 to 5 total lifts, including a chairlift from Crissolo up to the higher slopes and surface lifts.

• Slopes & Terrain: Offers around 7 to 10 alpine runs spanning roughly 10 to 19 km, featuring a mix of intermediate, advanced, and expert terrain.

• Cross-Country & Extras: Features a 3 km cross-country skiing circuit at Pian della Regina (1,745m), artificial snow-making on select tracks (Pra Grant and Granero Lungo), and a natural ice rink.

• Activities: Downhill skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, snowshoeing, and ice climbing at Rio Martino.

• Season: Typically operates around late December through March (projected winter dates run from late December to late March).

The outcome of the bidding process carries profound economic stakes for Crissolo and the broader Cuneo mountain territory, where community leaders are eager to modernize local ski installations and secure year-round tourism.

The Competitors: Local Experience vs. Technical Consortium

The municipal administration of Crissolo must evaluate two contrasting operational proposals:

1. Monviso Paradise S.r.l.

   • Key Stakeholders: Cristina Geuna, Erika Re, Davide Silvano Cravanzola, Angioletta Torchio, Fabio Geuna, and local municipal councilor Nicola Bessone.

   • Scope of Operations: A broadly integrated hospitality and transport model covering ropeways, ski lifts, hotels, bars, restaurants, mountain huts (rifugi), retail outlets, and administrative offices.

2. RTI Monviso Ski-Plan 1800 (Raggruppamento Temporaneo di Imprese)

   • Key Stakeholders: Led by Monviso Ski S.r.l.s. (sole director Lorena Gallo alongside Cristian Boasso) in partnership with technical sector specialist Plan 1800 S.r.l.

   • Scope of Operations: A specialized technical consortium focused on cable cars, ski lifts, chairlifts, slope infrastructure construction, modernization, maintenance, and technical management.

Comparative Summary of Bidding Bids

A Pivot Point for Mountain Tourism in Cuneo

For decades, Crissolo has served as a gateway for mountaineers ascending Monviso—the towering pyramid that gives birth to the Po River at nearby Pian del Re. However, climate shifts and aging mechanical infrastructure have made traditional ski resort management increasingly challenging across medium-altitude Alpine stations.

The local government will now review both proposals to determine which operational blueprint offers the technical reliability, financial sustainability, and broader economic spillover necessary to guarantee a successful long-term relaunch.

Crissolo – Monviso Ski is a small alpine ski resort located in the Cottian Alps in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy.