Nestled in the Susa Valley, Bardonecchia is an attractive mountain town and ski resort in Italy’s north-west. Once just a small village, it flourished following the construction of the Frejus Rail Tunnel, which extends beneath the Alps to Modane in neighbouring France. In 2006, Bardonecchia famously hosted snowboarding events as part of the Winter Olympics.
Things to do in Bardonecchia
For a cultural fix, visit the Civic Ethnographic Museum, which occupies a 19th-century building that once served as Bardonecchia’s town hall. Its exhibits illustrate the lifestyle and culture of the area’s mountain dwellers and the role of agriculture prior to the development of ski tourism. In addition to antique furnishings, vintage tools and traditional costumes, there is sacred artwork on display.
On the southern edge of Bardonecchia is Fort Bramafam, which was constructed in the late 19th century to defend the Turin-Modane railway line. It dominates a rocky spur on Mount Bramafan and is one of the largest fortifications in the Cottian Alps. Weaponry, ammunition and uniforms from the World Wars are now on display, together with propaganda newspapers.
If you’re visiting in the winter months, you can take advantage of Bardonecchia’s more than 100 kilometres of ski runs, which can be accessed via a network of 20 lifts. In addition to a terrain park, there are plenty of cross-country skiing trails to explore. Don’t miss the Alpine Coaster, a two-seater sled that descends into the woods of Campo Smith.
Getting around Bardonecchia
Bardonecchia is just over an hour’s drive from Turin and Turin Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect from Turin to the Bardonecchia railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Bardonecchia is small enough to explore on foot.