Mountain Nostalgia Reborn: The Return of Campania’s Iconic Laceno Chairlifts

For generations of families across Southern Italy, Lago Laceno was the quintessential backdrop for a winter day trip or a summer escape. Nestled at 1,100 meters above sea level on a high plateau in the Picentini Mountains (Bagnoli Irpino, Avellino), it offered something rare: the thrill of alpine skiing accompanied by sweeping views stretching all the way to the Gulf of Salerno.

However, after years of silence following the shutdown of its aging lift infrastructure in 2017, the legendary resort is standing on the precipice of a major historical comeback. Official safety inspections (collaudi) and technical testing conducted by Doppelmayr Italia have concluded successfully, signaling the long-awaited return of the chairlifts.

Passing the Torch: From Nostalgic Parents to a New Generation

For many parents who grew up taking the Settevalli lift to Monte Rajamagra (1,667 m) during the 1980s and 1990s, the reopening is deeply sentimental. The long hiatus meant an entire generation of children in Campania grew up without experiencing their region's primary high-altitude resort in full operation.

The modernized facilities offer a bridge between past memories and new family traditions:

Generational Storytelling: Parents can introduce their children to the exact peaks where they learned to ski or ride a chairlift for the first time.

Accessible Mountain Gateway: Located under two hours from Naples and Salerno, Laceno provides families an accessible alternative to long journeys toward the Abruzzo or Alpine regions.

What’s New at Laceno

• State-of-the-Art Lift Network

• The completely rebuilt infrastructure replaces obsolete systems with modern Doppelmayr ropeways engineered for maximum safety, speed, and comfort.

• Year-Round Family Attractions

The master plan transitions Laceno from a purely seasonal ski area into a year-round outdoor family destination:

• Mid-Mountain Hub (1,400m): Home to mountain play parks, picnic zones, and summer tubing tracks.

• Summit Panoramic Trails: High-altitude hiking and snowshoeing routes accessible via the main upper lifts.

• Long-Term Economic Stability

Management of the new lifts has been awarded under a 30-year concession to Laceno Live, ensuring stable investment, routine maintenance, and multi-season operational continuity.

Key Resort Overview

As final operational clearances wrap up, local communities and visiting families alike are preparing to welcome back one of Campania’s most cherished mountain sanctuaries.