Madesimo

Madesimo is a village in Sondrio (Province) in the Lombardy region of Italy. It was formally known as Isolato. The community of Madesimo is split into 3 frazione: Isola, Montespluga, Pianazzo and Madesimo village.

Get in
The only way to get in is by road on the SS36 or Via Spluga which runs all the way from the Swiss border to Lecco on Lake Como from where the SP51 runs to Milan and the nearest airport. Therefore, a car is more or less essential to visit the town.

The Splugen pass is usually closed between November and April. If the pass is closed, Madesimo can only be reached from Chiavenna.

There is a good bus-and-train connection from Milan and Bergamo and from the Milan airports.

There is a "taxi share" scheme that provides a taxi from the airport to the village as well.

By car
The area around the Madesimo area is quite vast and mountainous. In winter time, winter tires and/or snow chains may be required.

Ski
Madesimo is part of the Valchiavenna ski area (1550-2950m) with 58 km/36 mi of slopes. As such, it is one of the smaller ski resorts in the Alps. It is quite popular amongst Italians but less well known in other European countries. In weekends it is usually very busy with locals. However, on weekdays it can be very quiet even during holidays because of the Italian holiday system.

To access the ski area, it is not necessary to drive all the way to Madesimo. You can leave your car in Campodolcino (1000M), from where an underground funicular (Madesimo sky express ) will bring you all the way up to Motta at 1700m. From Motta, you can access the whole ski area.

The parking in Campodolcino is free on weekdays and it is possible to rent skis and buy a ski pass at the valley station of the funicular.

During winter time roads may be entirely blocked with snow, so to reach some of the frazione may require a set of touring or cross country skis.

Do

 * Snowmobiling: As a popular ski resort for both tourists and locals to the area, Madesimo offers various experiences that provide tourists with the opportunity to experience the winter sports of the Alps and one of these options is snow mobiling. One can take advantage of this through the use of Team Extreme: a snow mobiling company local to the Madesimo area. During the last few years more and more people have made a point of becoming part of Team Extreme. In accordance with local laws and regulations, the snow mobile tours are based on safety restrictions and offer families, as well as individuals (Private Tours are available), an enjoyable experience. each trip takes place along prepared tracks which meander along the Andossi ridge linking Madesimo with its neighbour Montespluga.
 * Other than individual outings on snowmobile, there are also possibilities of group excursions along with an escort who will provide all the necessary support. The tracks follow the slopes of valley sides and are suitable even for the inexperienced ‘pilot’. Importantly the sign-posting and well-maintained trails guarantee the safety of all concerned.

Connect

 * Scuole Di Sci: A highly-professional team is on hand to teach either beginners, those who wish to improve technique, or anyone interested in becoming more competitive in snow sports. The school also offers instruction in the most recent of winter sports’ innovations such as snowboarding and ensure that visitors can enjoy the ski areas in Valle Spluga in safely. This team of 60 qualified ski instructors boasts a range of specialities ranging from National Instructors, to coaches, to snowboard specialists, to ex-competitors, as well as those qualified to work with the handicapped. The head-quarters is in the centre of Madesimo and has two further outposts at Motta and a ski school in Arlecchino for younger children.
 * telephone: +39 0343 53049
 * Fax Machine: +39 0343 54155
 * www.scuolascimadesimo.org


 * Autonoleggio taxi Albiniano Carmine: A taxi service that provides tourists with both individual transport as well as minibuses for large, group excursions. Services run from all relevant airports to key destinations within the area.
 * Telephone. +39 0343 50126
 * Cellular Phone. +39 329 2150632 - +39 338 6095975
 * albiniano@virgilio.it


 * Ciocca Giovanni: Local taxi service with a local base. However, other forms of transport are available for personal transport on a national and international scale or cars with up to 8 places plus driver, or with minibuses that range from 9 to 19 seats plus the driver or a large tour bus which has the seating capacity of for 36 people.
 * Telephone: +39 0343 34377
 * Cellular Phone: +39 338 8332068
 * cioccafrancesco@libero.it


 * Nettuno Viaggi Di Giannini Stefano: A locally based taxi service which allows for both local and long-distance travel. This company owns and operates 4 minibuses which seat up to 8 people: an ideal situation for small tour groups.
 * Telephone. +39 0343 53117
 * Cellular Phone. +39 347 6851515
 * Fax Machine: +39 0343 56325
 * info@nettunoservice.com

Go next
At the end of the Via Spluga is the Splugen Pass, which, at 2113m, is quite a feat of road building, taking into account the spectacular hairpin bends on the way. The Swiss-Italian border lies on top of the pass.