Where to Party in Madonna di Campiglio

We’ve seen Madonna di Campiglio’s nightlife written off as “quiet” in the past. But that’s only if you don’t know where to go. Whilst it’s no match for the really big party towns of the Alps, such as Val Thorens, Val d’Isere, Ischgl, St Anton and Meribel, at the weekends especially the place can hum.

To get the best of it, however, you’ll need to reset your body clock. In the afternoon, things go pretty much as you’d expect in most ski resorts – with a DJ and dancing out on the terrace at the Rifugio Boch, up in the Grostè sector by the Ursus Snowpark, which can a big crowds from 2pm.

But after that it’s time to get back down the mountain and prepare for the passeggiata – the traditional evening stroll with friends or family. In Madonna di Campiglio, everyone gets dressed up for the event (no-one will even look at you if you’re hobbling in your ski boots) and wonders round the souvenir shops, tea rooms and bars leading into the main town square. At this time of the day, Café Pasquini is the coolest place to go in town for your aperitivo or a cocktail. It’s all about looking cool and checking each other out. Most Italians wouldn’t be seen dead dancing on a table at this time of the day.

The time of day to buy your €160 souvenir manicure set. Or not

After dinner, things get a little looser Ober 1 bar can be fun – as well as the Bar Suisse and La Stube di Franz Josef. But it’s all a warm-up for Madonna di Campiglio’s two big night clubs – Zangola (the milk churn) and Des Alpes. Des Alpes is in the middle of town, but Zangola – set in a converted cow barn 3km out of town – has the bigger reputation.