Getting there:

There is no easy way to get to Bormio. It is a 200-km. (124-mile) drive from the Milan airport. Expect about a 4-hour drive with traffic, especially on weekends. The drive along the banks of Lago di Lecco and Lago di Como, through long tunnels and down the Valtellina is beautiful, passing vineyards on the south-facing slopes, orchards in the valley, farms and castles.

If you’re not up to driving, Mtbus (www.mtbus.it) and Ski&bike (www.bormio-viaggi.it) run shuttles from the Milan Airports in Orio al Serio and Malpensa from Dec. 1, 2007 to April 10, 2008.