San Bernardino GR ski resort revitalized
Published: Wednesday, Dec 27th 2023, 16:30
Updated At: Thursday, Dec 28th 2023, 00:58
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The mountain railroads in San Bernardino GR are back in operation after a ten-year standstill. The reopening of the ski resort is part of Ticino investor Stefano Artioli's plan to breathe new life into the ailing resort with investments of 300 million francs.
The mountain railroads and ski lifts in the winter sports resort at the south portal of the San Bernardino tunnel have been at a standstill since 2012, with the exception of a few beginner lifts in the village. There was no money for the necessary renovation. As Artioli's company San Bernardino Swiss Alps announced on Wednesday, it acquired the lifts last summer and renovated them.
From December 27, one gondola lift, one chairlift and one ski lift will initially be in operation. Two more ski lifts are set to follow by December 2024. The Confin snow sports area offers a total of 45 kilometers of slopes.
The reopening on Wednesday brought many snow sports enthusiasts to San Bernardino, explained Niccolò Meroni from San Bernardino Swiss Alps on request. "We are happy with the first day," the operations and marketing manager told the Keystone-SDA news agency.
San Bernardino Swiss Alps intends to keep the outdated facilities in operation until a master plan for the development of the snow sports offer is ready. According to the press release, it will be a few years before all the lifts have been renovated.
San Bernardino to become a top destination
Stefano Artioli wants to develop San Bernardino into a top year-round destination for sports enthusiasts. At the heart of his vision is a five-star hotel with a public spa and wellness area. There are also several buildings in the village center, including two hotels that the investor is currently having renovated. The "Brocco & Posta" hotel is due to open this season.
The plans are to be implemented by 2033. Artioli intends to finance the initial development phase from its own funds. Investors are to be brought in later. The Ticino native earns his money with real estate. He founded the Artisa Group, which manages real estate investments throughout Europe.
Artioli's project in San Bernardino is reminiscent of the Egyptian businessman Samih Sawiris, who built six hotels, 500 apartments, congress facilities and a golf course in Andermatt UR and linked three ski resorts to form the Andermatt-Sedrun ski arena. At around two billion Swiss francs, Sawiris' investments were several times larger than those planned in San Bernardino.
©Keystone/SDA
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