Aprica
Aprica: 50km slopes, Europe's longest night skiing run (5.5km), 1,162-2,270m elevation. Lombardy family resort 160km from Milan.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
134
Annual snow
2.3m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Aprica delivers 50 kilometres of varied skiing across a natural balcony overlooking Valtellina, with terrain spanning from 1,200 to 2,270 metres elevation. The resort combines a family-friendly atmosphere with excellent learning facilities and challenging expert runs, including the famous Pista Stelvio with its sustained 45-degree pitch over 3 kilometres.
Modern snowmaking infrastructure covers 90% of all marked runs, ensuring reliable conditions throughout winter. Aprica's wide, open slopes above the tree line contrast with beautiful forest descents, creating diverse skiing experiences across four distinct sectors: Palabione, Magnolta, Baradello, and Campetti.
1108m
Vertical
20
Runs
50 km
Piste
2.3m
Annual snow
The Terrain
20 runs across 50 km of piste
Aprica is a compact Valtellina resort on a mountain pass, with 20 runs spread over 50 kilometres and a vertical of 1,108 metres, from 1,162 metres to 2,270 metres. Grading is split 54% beginner, 31% intermediate and 15% advanced, with no expert terrain. The beginner share is the largest, but the 15% advanced is a meaningful slice for a resort this size, so it is not only a learner's area. Four sectors, Palabione, Magnolta, Baradello and Campetti, are linked on snow, and a handful of gondolas and quad chairs carry skiers up from the village.
Palabione is the largest sector, mixing wide intermediate runs with technical descents such as Benedetti, one of the better-known blacks. On Magnolta, the Pistone della Magnolta is a steep black of about 2 kilometres, hardest in its lower section, and the Pista Stelvio is a sustained, steep run that tests advanced skiers. Open slopes up high give way to forest runs lower down. There is no major freeride zone. It suits families and learners, plus advanced skiers from Milan looking for a few steep pistes close to the city.
Terrain split
20
runs
20 runs across 4 grades
Beginner11 runs · 54%
Intermediate6 runs · 31%
Advanced3 runs · 15%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Aprica
Aprica's winter season typically runs from early December through mid-April, with optimal snow conditions from January through March. The resort's favourable microclimate, created by its protected valley position, contributes to consistent conditions and approximately 4 metres of natural snowfall annually.
Comprehensive snowmaking systems ensure reliable coverage from opening day, with operations beginning on Palabione's north-facing slopes before expanding across all sectors by Christmas week. March delivers excellent spring skiing with firm morning conditions and comfortable temperatures, while special night skiing operations on Wednesdays and Saturdays extend the skiing day throughout the season.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
134
Days open
2.3 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Aprica
Daily snow reports at Aprica go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
150 cm
Snowiest day
31 Mar 2018
20 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
201 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Aprica, and where to stay
Positioned 175 kilometres northeast of Milan at the strategic Valtellina and Val Camonica junction, Aprica occupies a natural mountain pass at 1,181 metres elevation. The compact resort village features traditional Alpine architecture with hotels and apartments predominantly offering ski-in/ski-out convenience. Unlike purpose-built resorts, Aprica evolved organically from an historic mountain community, maintaining authentic charm while developing modern visitor facilities.
The surrounding region boasts remarkable biodiversity with extensive protected forests, accessible via winter hiking trails and snowshoe routes that complement the skiing experience. Convenient road connections via the SS39 and proximity to Tirano's railway station make Aprica easily accessible despite its mountain setting.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Aprica, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Aprica's ski season?
Aprica's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 11. That window is roughly 134 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Italy, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Aprica have?
Aprica lists about 50 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 20 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Aprica?
Trail grading at Aprica breaks down roughly as 54% beginner, 31% intermediate, 15% advanced. With a strong beginner share, Aprica suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Aprica have?
Aprica operates 17 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 5 t-bars, 5 surface lifts, 4 quad chairs, 2 gondolas, and 1 6-person chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Aprica?
Base elevation at Aprica is about 1,162 m (3,812 ft), with the summit around 2,270 m (7,448 ft), giving roughly 1,108 m (3,635 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Aprica get each season?
Aprica averages about 226 cm (89 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Aprica lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €23 to €52, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Aprica before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 8 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Aprica so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Aprica have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Aprica. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Aprica located?
Aprica sits in Italy, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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