Prato Nevoso

Terrific value! Loads of skiing for your money. Top snowboard destination. Purpose-built for skiers with all hotels ideally located.

The main features of this popular circuit are convenience and value. The lift system still features quite a few drags but new chairs are added all the time and everything links nicely. Last year, they added 5 new chairlifts including the one outside the Hotel Capanna which replaced the long tow. The lift company are keen on moving carpet lifts for beginners.

There is plenty of skiing both above and below the tree line and the scope would not disgrace a much bigger resort. Piste maintenance is excellent. The lift company do a particularly good job, combing the pistes and making snow when necessary. The link to Artesina has revolutionized the appeal of the area and the ski pass is very good value. On the Artesina side, the skiing is more challenging whereas Prato Nevoso is easier for beginners and early intermediates.

Prato Nevoso is an excellent choice for beginners. There's minimal walking, easy runs both at village level and at altitude, and a caring ski school. Progression is great which means beginners can be doing quite long blue runs before the end of the week.

NEW. There are now 2 brand new moving carpet type lifts, especially for beginners, one outside the Hotel Galassia and one in the village. They are over 50m long and allow novices to practise on gentle slopes in safety without having to manage conventional lifts.

Intermediates are also well served. There are plenty of wide, long runs which invite ambitious skiers to work hard and get off that plateau! For strong intermediates there are some tremendous reds, especially over the Artesina side, and some exhilarating cruises in high bowls.

The two main runs back to the village are floodlit 3 times a week and night skiing is included on the pass. This is a big snowboarding area with a dedicated snowboard park which also is floodlit 3 times a week and has been redeveloped ready for this season. Prato Nevoso is the home of the Italian Snowboard Club and top competitions are held here.

Prato Nevoso is notably friendly and local suppliers are always keen to give good service and promote their resort. You will encounter none of the take-it-or-leave-it attitude which sometimes blights the bigger names. Prato has something of a local community with school, church and shops. As in most purpose-built resorts, there's a long gallery of shops, bars and restaurants all conveniently located opposite the slopes.

It's by no means busy and nightlife is limited but there's probably enough for a week unless you want to tear it up every night. Night owls should look elsewhere, so should devotees of death defying leaps and challenging moguls, but if you are a beginner or early intermediate who wants a quiet resort, with uncrowded slopes, good value, nice people, a good ski school and excellent hotels, this is the place!

Village Facts

Pleasant village, although purpose built, with a gallery of shops and holiday facilities. Quiet, but with sufficient aprés ski for a week unless you want to try somewhere new every night. Big snowboard venue with expert instruction. The hire shop is also a snowboard museum.

• skating rink
• ski doo hire
• motor quad track
• shops and boutiques
• night club
• piano bar
• restaurant and pizzerias
• Irish pub
• torchlit descents 3 times a week
• go karting on ice.
• 2 discos
• cinema (Italian)
• tourist office