5 snowparks in Italy for high-speed fun in the snow

With 800 metres and more than 60 structures, it is the largest snowpark in Italy and among the first in the European rankings: Mottolino, the Snowpark in Livigno, right in the heart of Valtellina.

The setting for competitions, including the Burton European Open, and unique events such as the European Cup for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, this fabulous snowpark is located close to the M'eating Point mountain hut, and is served by the Trepalle 4-seater chairlift.

Whether you are an expert or a beginner, it makes no difference as long as you are a fan of jumps and a thrill-seeker. There are areas in the complex that are divided according to skill level. LINEA M, of medium difficulty, is perfect for getting you familiar with air time, with its four jumps and three rails, while LINEA L requires a little more experience for its table with three higher, thinner and, therefore, more difficult rails. For advanced tricks, there is the LINEA XL, aimed at experienced freeskiers, who can tackle three jumps measuring 22, 19 and 17 metres. Finally, there's room for creativity in the JIBBING LINE, with 12 rails of medium and medium/high difficulty.

You can reach Livigno's snowboard slopes easily by train from Milan: take a direct regional train to Tirano - about a two and a half hour journey - then a bus with a change in Bormio and after an hour or so you will reach your destination. 

One of the five most beautiful snowparks in Italy is Prato Nevoso, one of the first in the Alps. It has Easy and Medium lines and a very respectable Jibbing Area, for jumps of increasing difficulty.

There are many national and international events organised during the season, such as the adrenaline-filled banked slalom time trial competition or the contests for children, teenagers and the over-18s. The most eagerly awaited event is the annual Railway to Heaven, which attracts pro riders from all over Italy and beyond.

Prato Nevoso is easily accessible from Piedmont and Liguria. You can catch a train from Turin or Savona, direct to the Mondovì railway station, and from there continue on by bus.

The world's best snowboarders competed here in the 2006 Turin Olympics: this is the Bardonecchia Snowpark, a state-of-the-art venue that is particularly impressive. Its 1,500 metres of length are in fact spread out along the Melezet woods, just like the American parks.

If you are a freestyle enthusiast, in Bardonecchia you will find kicker lines, rails and boxes for every level. The Eagle Park area is for snowboarding experts, the Grizzly Park for those who want to improve their technique and style, while the Baby Park area is for the little ones.

The slopes can be reached effortlessly by train, in just one hour from Turin and two and a half hours from Milan, thanks to the free shuttles from the station to the lifts. 

If you are an experienced rider, you cannot miss one of the most famous snowboarding centres in Italy: the Alpe di Siusi Snowpark, the largest in Trentino South Tyrol and, according to many, the best in Italy.

In its 1.5 kilometres of length, 70 different obstacles and the wood line with all-wood structures also train the Italian national freestyle snowboard team; to improve your technique right on the snowboard slopes, you can take private lessons tailored to your skills.

The resort can be reached by a direct train to Bolzano and then by bus line 170, from Bolzano station, via Brenner, to the Siusi Bus Station, in about 35 minutes.

4 easy kickers and 4 boxes are the starting point of the easy area of the Alleghe Super Snowpark. This is followed by the medium area with its 6 kickers ranging from 4 to 12 m. The jibbing structures complete the area. There is also an area dedicated to children and beginners, the "Micro Superpark", with 3 kickers from 1 to 2 metres and two boxes on the ground.

Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration between Trenitalia and Dolomitibus, with a single ticket you can reach Alleghe via the combined train+bus service, with a shuttle bus departing from Belluno station.

To snowboard in the snow, all you have to do is choose the snowpark that suits you best: have fun!