Cuneo: Mondole Ski Area; Near Ligurian Coast -
The province of Cuneo is set in the Piedmont region of southwest Italy. The 12th-century city of Cuneo is the capital of the province and is renowned for its rum chocolates ‘Cuneesi al rhum'. Its main sights include the 14th-century watchtower; the Villa Tornaforte surrounded by the English park; the Civic Museum; Railway Museum; and the churches of Santa Croce, San Giovanni Decollato and Santissima Annunziata.
The province also boasts a number of ski resorts, including Artesina, Frabosa Soprana, Garessio 2000, Limone Piedmonte, Lurisia, Prato Nevoso, and San Giacomo di Roburent.
The Mondole Ski Area, in the heart of the Maritime Alps, offers a total of 130 kilometres of pistes. The area is comprised of the resorts of Artesina, Prato Nevosa and Frabosa Soprana.
Prato Nevoso (1500 metres) is a well equipped resort with a range of hotels, bars, restaurants, a cinema and two discos. The modern village of Artesina (1320 metres) is a friendly resort with a lively centre. Frabosa Soprana (900 metres) is one of the oldest resorts in the Alps. The centre of the resort is lined with shops, hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Non-skiers will enjoy the natural ice rink.
Garessio 2000 (1370 metres) is set along the ridge between the Tanaro and Casotto valleys. The resort offers access to 30 kilometres of runs served by four ski lifts and a two-seater chair-lift. From the slopes, skiers can look out over the Ligurian coast and Corsica. Snowboarders have their own run which is equipped with a fixed timer system which enables boarders to measure their speed.
Limone Piedmonte (1032 metres) boasts a long history as a ski resort, attracting skiers as far back as the early 1900s. It is also within 30 minutes of the sea so has a decidedly Mediterranean flavour. It offers 80 kilometres of runs and six kilometres of cross-country trails. The majority of slopes are well suited to intermediate skiers and offer a maximum height of 2050 metres. The cobbled streets of the lively resort centre are lined with traditional Italian restaurants, street cafes, art galleries, and piano bars.
Lurisia (950 metres) is one of the larger ski centres in Cuneo. It offers a skiable height of 1868 metres and its longest run is 3.3 kilometres. Its lively town centre boasts plenty of amenities, including a piano bar, disco, bank, chemist and pizzeria.
San Giacomo di Roburent (1211 metres) offers skiing up to 1600 metres altitude. Its 30 ski runs are best suited to beginners and intermediates.
Turin is the nearest airport to the province of Cuneo. Regular trains run between Cuneo's central train station at Piazzale Liberta and Turin, San Remo, and Saluzzo.
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