In late January, Monterosa Ski will host the SIGB Annual Ski Test, bringing together some of the world’s leading ski brands. It’s a clear sign that this corner of the Alps has firmly caught the attention of serious skiers. For those who know the mountains well, events like this are less about dates in the calendar and more about recognising places that stand out for their terrain, snow reliability and access.
Set beneath the vast Monte Rosa massif, Monterosa Ski is all about scale. Monte Rosa is the largest massif in Italy, with more than fifteen peaks rising above 4000m and Western Europe’s second-highest summit dominating the skyline. Its presence shapes both the landscape and the way skiing feels here.
The ski area links Val d’Ayas, Valle di Gressoney and Valsesia entirely on skis. With over 100km of pistes, skiing here is about movement and exploration rather than repetition. Long descents flow from valley to valley, wide slopes open onto big views, and even in busier periods, there’s a welcome sense of space. It suits confident skiers, families and anyone who prefers flow over crowded resort skiing.
Away from the pistes, Monterosa is widely known as a freeride destination. The Indren cable car climbs to 3275m, lifting skiers into a high-alpine setting that feels open and uncompromising. Natural lines, wide faces and a true big-mountain feel define the terrain. Ski touring is also central to the experience, with marked routes in both Valle di Gressoney and Val d’Ayas, including twice-monthly Friday evening sessions in Gressoney.
This freeride spirit continues at the end of the season, when Monterosa hosts a stage of the Freeride World Tour Challenger from 26 to 29 March for the third year running, drawing riders and spectators from across the freeride community.
Instead of large, purpose-built resorts, visitors find traditional villages, welcoming hotels and a strong local identity. After skiing, the pace naturally slows. Evenings revolve around good food rooted in regional traditions, while wellness areas and low-key après-ski encourage a relaxed end to the day.
Some of the most memorable experiences happen higher up, with snowcat-accessed dinners turning an evening meal into a journey beneath the night sky. Along the slopes, mountain huts invite skiers to pause and enjoy local flavours at an unhurried pace.
In Staffal, in the Valle di Gressoney, a new toboggan run offers a fun alternative to skiing, with evening openings on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 7:30 pm—ideal for families, non-skiers or anyone keen to extend the day.
Monterosa brings together four valleys across two Italian regions. Alongside Val d’Ayas, Valle di Gressoney and Valsesia, the quieter Champorcher valley adds another perspective on the Monte Rosa massif.
From groomed pistes to high-alpine freeride terrain, Italian cuisine to night-time mountain adventures, Monterosa Ski offers an alpine experience that feels powerful yet unpretentious, shaped by the scale of Monte Rosa and a mountain culture that remains true to itself.