Italy is Pushing Ahead With Plans to Reopen Abandoned Ski Area Above Lake Como

Monte San Primo above Lake Como is moving toward a limited ski revival after years of planning and controversy. Local authorities report paperwork progressing through the Lombardy regional government, with construction potentially starting before the end of 2026. The project budget totals €2.16 million, shared between the Lombardy Region and the local Mountain Community, which will oversee construction. Plans include removing derelict ski lifts, building new parking areas, improving and securing hiking trails, and creating a water reservoir. The reservoir will support forest-fire fighting and feed a snowmaking system for a small beginner ski slope. The goal is year-round tourism with summer hiking and a modest winter offering, not a major competitive resort.

"“The project is moving forward,” said Danilo Bianchi, president of the local Mountain Community and mayor of the nearby village of Magreglio, speaking to La Provincia di Como. “Any criticism is certainly useful, but we do not move from the original intent, which also includes the construction of the baby ski slope. By the end of the year I expect the approval process to be completed and that we can be ready for the start of the work.”"

"The plan involves removing the old, derelict ski lifts that have sat unused on the mountainside for years, building new parking areas, improving and securing hiking trails, and creating a water reservoir that will serve two purposes: supplying water for fighting forest fires and feeding a snowmaking system for a small beginner ski slope. That beginner slope - a single, short run for children and first-timers - is the only ski component in the plan."

"This is not a full ski resort revival. The total budget is €2.16 million ($2.5 million) - a relatively modest sum for mountain infrastructure - split between the Lombardy Region and the local Mountain Community, which will also oversee construction. The vision is a year-round mountain tourism area above Bellagio, one of Italy's most visited lakeside towns, with hiking in summer and a modest ski offer in winter."

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