There are no ski lifts in this ski resort, it is an absolute novelty in Europe
This lift-free ski resort allows for total immersion in the mountain. Snow cannons, artificial powder dropped from trucks or helicopters, ever-higher ski lifts disturbing flora and fauna... Some ski resort practices are becoming less and less common as the climate crisis accelerates. Is it possible today to approach skiing in a more ecological way? In any case, it is a challenge that two Italian mountain enthusiasts have taken up by creating this ski resort like many others in 2023. Welcome to the first ski area in Europe without lifts. Nestled in the heart of the Alps in Italy, a few kilometers from the Swiss border and a 2.5 hour drive from Milan, “Homeland” was born in 2023 in the village of Montespluga. Its creators Tommaso Lazzuna and Paolo Pichieloa made the idea germinate during the Covid-19 pandemic, when all the ski lifts in the ski resorts were closed, taking great inspiration from a location without ski lifts that already existed on the other part of the Atlantic: Bluebird Backcountry, Colorado, USA. The resort's website states that you enter "an immaculate amphitheater dominated by peaks exceeding 3,000 metres." But it's worth speeding along the slopes on the pristine snow: no more ski lifts, drag lifts, chair lifts and more gondola lifts! Skiers go up the slopes on their own before descending. Homeland describes its domain as "a huge slope" to climb over 11 signposted climbing routes across a 36km² area of off-piste terrain. Although this ski area is aimed more at experienced ski mountaineers, it still offers introductory days for beginners and safety courses. With this eco-friendly ski resort accessible to ski mountaineering beginners, Homeland demonstrates that skiing can be compatible with a more sober and responsible lifestyle. Are you tempted by the experience of skiing without ski lifts? The prices charged are quite affordable compared to other energy-intensive ski resorts. Calculate 55 euros per day for a set of skis and boots or 65 euros for the complete avalanche kit.