Snow Carnival

The Macugnaga Snow Carnival

In the heart of the Anzasca Valley, in the municipality of Macugnaga in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (Piedmont), the Snow Carnival is one of the most anticipated events of the winter season. At the foot of the majestic east face of Monte Rosa, the event blends the magic of the snowy mountains with the joy of Carnival, inviting skiers, families, and visitors to enjoy days filled with fun and local traditions.

Skiing in costume at the foot of Monte Rosa

The heart of the initiative is the on-slope entertainment curated by the instructors of the Macugnaga Ski School, who invite adults and children to wear costumes and hit the slopes in a festive atmosphere. These costumed days are the highlight of the event, with instructors dressed in disguise accompanying skiers and snowboarders across the Monte Rosa ski area. For children, the Baby Snow Park offers sledding, conveyor belts, and snow games in a safe environment.

Town square festivities

The Carnival experience extends beyond the slopes: the center of Macugnaga comes alive with the Carnival market, which fills the Town Hall square with color, creativity, and crafts, and the town square party, featuring traditional Ossola specialties such as polenta, cured meats, blood sausage, cheeses, and desserts. For the little ones, there are workshops, entertainment, and face painting, all within the welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that has always defined the village.

A Walser tradition in the mountains

Macugnaga is one of the most characteristic Walser settlements in the Alps, a people of Germanic origin who colonized the high valleys at the foot of Monte Rosa during the Middle Ages. The Snow Carnival fits perfectly into this rich cultural and environmental context, offering residents and tourists the chance to experience the mountains in a unique way, combining winter sports, mountain gastronomy, and the carefree spirit of the festival. It is an appointment that, year after year, confirms the deep bond between the community of Macugnaga and its extraordinary alpine setting.