San Domenico in the Caraisca Valley

San Domenico di Varzo (1420 - 2550 m.) and Trasquera: near the Simplon-pass (2005 m.) and Swiss border are known in the region for its excellent snow conditions during the winter. Its normal to ski and snowboard until the first weekend of May. Domodossola is only 30 km. away, 60 km. from lake Maggiore and 130 from Milan. The Simplon-pass is one of the most important connections between Switzerland and Italy, open all winter. Also - every 90 minutes - Simplon Auto-Train between Brig and Iselle.

The road to Trasquera also starts in Varzo. 5 km. before reaching San Domenico, a bridge leads over the Cairasca river to Trasquera and Bugliaga. This village is situated at the Swiss border with views towards Divedro valley and the Simplon area.

1.  Casa Bugliaga Trasquera (2-4-6 personen):

During the winter its a few minutes walk from the public parking, before reaching the country cottage. The house consists of two parts. Upstairs: bathroom, livingroom and kitchen, fire-place, wood-oven, TV, couch bed. Bedroom with bed for two persons and childbed. On the ground-floor: divided room with bed for two persons and single bed. Washing machine and refrigerator. The dining table is even large enough for 15 people. Before the holiday dinner, a 20 minutes walk can be undertaken to visit Trasquera's supermarket. Surrounded by nature, of course Casa Bugliaga is great for back-country skiers, as it is located at 1320 meters above sea level, and on itineraries towards for example Vallé - San Domenico and Simplon. Around the house: garden with massive dining table and barbecue-place.

Imformation backcountry and Ski-alpinism in Ossola (English/Dutch): Equator-for-Ski .

2. Hotel Pizzeria Ristorante Edelweiss San Domenico di Varzo:

Edelweiss welcomes you and is ideally situated just in front of the chair-lift to Alpe Ciamporino. The family serves local and international dishes, genuine pizza's and every weekend also fish-specialties. Upstairs there are eight bedrooms for 2-4 persons and two bathrooms: one with bath and one with shower. Four bedrooms with TV. All bedrooms have their own wash-stand.

Graniga (1100 m.) in Bognanco Valley: Hotel Cecilia's.

San Lorenzo-Graniga is situated at an altitude of 1100 m. and an excellent starting point for snowshoe mountain tours, ski alpinism. Situated on a sunny plateau just 4 km. from Bognanco (mineral water springs). In this little village there's a bus stop - connected with Domodossola international train station - mini-market, post-office, bar and restaurant. From Graniga it's 10 minutes walk to San Lorenzo and 7 km. to Alpe San Bernardo where most ski-alpinism tracks start.

Domobianca, well organized ski-resort, above Domodossola, 30 km. from Graniga.

Imformation backcountry and Ski-alpinism in Ossola (English/Dutch): Equator-for-Ski .

3. Hotel Restaurant Bar Cecilia's:

Family hotel 'Albergo da Cecilia' with 9 comfortable bedrooms, each with private bathroom. Panoramic view from the balconies and the terrace. The hotel is completely renovated in the nineties. The restaurant is known for its Italian and Alpine specialties. Satellite TV room, bar and restaurant with 50 places. 

Vigezzo Higland - National Park Valgrande

In the Eastern part of the Ossola Valley, in that strip of Piedmont territory not far from Lombardy, there is a corridor that constitutes the most accessible and easiest passage between the mountains of Simplon and Gottard. This ribbon of land borders the Ticino canton of Switzerland between the Western and Central Alps. Within these Lepontine Alps, the corridor follows a track that begins in Domodossola and in a west-to-east direction, interrupted in the middle by the Swiss border, ends in Locarno. The section of the corridor located in the Ticino canton is called "Centovalli" and the section located in Val d'Ossola, Italy is called "Valle Vigezzo," also renowned as the Painter' Valley.

During the winter season there is a lot going on: cross-country, Alpine skiing. At only about 100 m. from Camping Hermitage the cable-car goes to the south-orientated ski-area of La Piana (1725 m.). The map with ski slopes, on the right above - opens a new window.

4. Bungalow Camping Hermitage Craveggia:

With Cross-country and ice-skating in Santa Maria Maggiore, skiing for beginners in Druogno (la Baitina). But also the larger Ossola ski areas are nearby. For example the ski runs (with orientation towards north/northeast) at Lusentino-Domobianca (above Domodossola, only 30 km. away from Craveggia) offer always the best conditions (artificial snow, night-skiing on Fridays).

The Vigezzo Valley, the Highland between Locarno and Domodossola. With about 10.000 inhabitants and a rich historie, nature and culture. Also known as the valley of the painters and the chimneysweepers valley. Is different from the other mountain valleys in Ossola. When you climb the Anzasca Valley, Antrona Valley, Bognanco, Divedro-Cairasca, Antigorio, Formazza or Isorno, then most of us will be blocked by glaciers and the highest mountaintops. In the open Vigezzo valley however, the road continues.

Bannio Anzino and Macugnaga, at the highest, largest wall of the Alps: Monte Rosa (4635 m.). 

Bannio-Anzino (900 m.), about half-way the Anzasca valley with Macugnaga-Monte Rosa as the most famous attraction. But a personal recommendation is to start discovering Anzasca with a nice walk at Bannio, especially for local food-lovers, a one hour trip towards 'Alpe 'Soi', where Lady Rosanna prepares the best antipasti and dishes. Another advantage of this village is its central location, near the ski resort Macugnaga and not far from all other resorts in Ossola. Macugnaga is around the corner and Lake Maggiore not even 30 km. away.

5. Casa Bannio (2-4 persons):

This luxury third floor apartment, in an authentic family house, asks for a little prudence because of the steep stairs before reaching the front door. is  At entrance, hall and then the nice living room with balcony (photo: February 2005, left and on the right above), fire-place and sofa-bed. Dinning table for 6-8 persons.

At the other side of the apartment, another balcony. Two bedrooms, one with bed for 2 persons and one with bunks bed. Bathroom with bath and washing machine. Kitchen with dishwasher.

Macugnaga (1350 m.) is what can be called a top-attraction. Cultural, natural, historical, almost Himalayan.

Macugnaga starting-point for tours with ski-telemark-snowboard around the Monte-Rosa.

      T.M.R.     

The tour will be organized weekly, the month of march 2010, minimum inscription 5 persons; price about 800 Euro per participant, inclusive: lift passes, diners, hotels, official guides.

6. Chalet Elsa (2-4  persons):

Apartments in chalet with garden or balcony facing the Monte Rosa, near-by the cable cars to Alpe Bill and the centre of Macugnaga. Living room and kitchen, TV, bedroll with bed for 2 persons. Bedroom with bed for 2 persons, bathroom. Collective washing machine. 

7. Residence (2-4 persons):

Residence in an unique historical building in the centre of Macugnaga with reception and lift. Luxury apartments with bathroom, living room and kitchen, TV, bedroll with bed for 2 persons. Another bedroom with 2 beds in the 2-rooms apartments.

Macugnaga: 50 km. from Domodossola, lakes Mergozzo, Orta  and Maggiore.

8. *Macugnaga Hotel Ossola:

9. Chairlift: Bed&Breakfast or with evening-meal (2-10 persons): 

Also a popular bar and restaurant in Macugnaga, of cause next to the chair-lift with view towards the glaciers of Mount Rosa. On the attic-floor there are 5 rooms with 2 beds. Collective TV-room and bathroom.