The mountains around Bielmonte (1,482 m) are well worth discovering. Because the ski resort – ten pistes (one black) totaling 20 kilometers – grew out of an enlightened idea. Oasi Zegna is a peaceful resort, designed above all for families, to introduce them to skiing and other outdoor sports and transmit a love of the mountains. Skiing in Bielmonte means choosing comfort, authenticity, beautiful panoramas and enticing culinary offerings inspired by tradition. There are five good reasons for skiing in Bielmonte.
It’s easy to get to
For the city of Biella and its inhabitants Bielmonte means the mountains (hence the name). But it’s gradually become a favorite with families from Turin too and the whole of Piemonte and even Milan, given it’s only a 90 minute drive from Lombardia’s capital.
It’s family-oriented
There are two ski schools (Scuola Sci Bielmonte Oasi Zegna and Scuola Sci Monte Marca Bielmonte) with a total of 50 instructors and a magic carpet for beginners. So Bielmonte is the perfect place for kids (for beginners of any age in fact) to learn to snowplough. And it also has other types of fun in the “snow playground”, including snowmen and coloring games.
Perfect for Mountain Watching
From the upper Val Sessera to Monte Rosa, from Monviso across the plains of the entire Po Valley, the view from the top of Monte Marca (1,616 meters) is priceless. Skiers can take all the time they want before launching off downhill, while those in the mountain refuge can gaze through the windows, bewitched by the beauty of the Alps and their 4,000ers or the Po Valley plains, which can be seen in their entire breadth from here.
These mountains are slow
And also genuine, because behind the project there’s an idea, a philosophy based on respect for nature and not only business. Tuesday, when the ski-lifts are shut, is the perfect moment for the more 'philosophical' sports, like cross-county skiing. Or for those who don’t want to ski, snowshoe hiking on Oasi Zegna’s well signposted trails.
Gastronomy center stage
Doing sport works up an appetite. And Oasi Zegna certainly knows how to satisfy it: hotels, restaurants, farm-stays and chalets all offer dishes in the Biella tradition, which is highly prized around here.
