Bormio's origins are inextricably linked to its thermal waters, which have been renowned for their curative powers since ancient times. The nine springs are mentioned in Roman documents dating back to the first century AD. Today the tradition continues in modern thermal baths. The resort's long history has given it a rich collection of architectural treasures which make it a very interesting place to stay.
Centred around the busy Via Roma, Bormio's old buildings are decorated with frescoes. These buildings include the thirteenth century Kuerc, with its amphitheatre style roofing. The St. Vitale Church predates it by a century while the Alberti Tower is fifteenth century. The Hour Tower was begun in the fifteenth century and completed in the seventeenth, and the De Simoni Palace is eighteenth century. In between these great buildings are many atmospheric shops, bars and restaurants as well as four museums.
The resort's 1792 meter (5879 foot) vertical drop is one of the three biggest in Italy, beaten only by Alagna and Cortina. This is not a vast inter-linked skiing domain however, more a place for those who love to get to the top of the mountain and then have huge long hassle-free descents of up to 14km (9 miles) back down to the resort.
The lower two thirds of the slopes are forested and protected by snow making.
There is a choice of two routes up, each from the edge of town (there is a ski bus but many will find their accommodation a short walk away). The cable car ascends first to Bormio 2000 (the main nursery area with guaranteed snow), then carries on to the summit of Cima Bianca where there a choice of descents, including a long intermediate run all the way to the bottom. The second route up is to take the shorter gondola to Ciuk, then a chair to the Bormio 2000 area.
Intermediates will enjoy Bormio the most with its long sweeping runs and fast easy routes. Experts have a more limited choice but the Pista Stelvio was used for the Men's Downhill in the 1995 World Championship.
Bormio is part of the Alta Valtellina Lift Pass system which gives skiing access to the slopes of Livigno, Santa Caterina and San Colombano. With a six day pass you also get one free day over the border in the Swiss Engadin region, which includes famous St. Moritz, as well as Celerina, Pontresina, Silvaplana and more than half a dozen other resorts. The resort where you're most likely to make use of the pass is Bormio's near neighbor Santa Caterina, a traditional but high village with another 40km (25 miles) of trails.
| Vertical Drop: | 5881 ft
| Half Pipes: | 1 |
| Top Elevation: | 9885 ft | Snowmaking:
| 35% |
Skiable Acres:
| - | Total:
| 12km |
| Trails: | 18 | Restaurants:
| 17 |
| Lifts: | 14 | | |
Cable cars:
| 3 | | |
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