British Private Equity Fund iCON Infrastructure Takes Over Bardonecchia, Already Controls Vialattea

The financial world of London has its eye on the potential of the Piedmontese Alps. After Sestriere SpA, Colomion SpA has also passed into the hands of the British fund iCON Infrastructure, which now controls both the Vialattea ski area (Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Pragelato, Oulx, Cesana, Sansicario and Claviere) and that of Bardonecchia.

"The attention of a British private equity fund to two companies that have marked the history of skiing in Italy can only be good news," commented Valeria Ghezzi, President of ANEF (Italian Cable Car Association). "We are sure that this change of ownership will lead to investments that will enable Bardonecchia and Vialattea, two resorts with enormous potential, to compete with the best ski resorts in the Alps."

The acquisition will take place through the iCON group "Motta Holding (Italy) Srl", which has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Colomion SpA, a company that manages the Bardonecchia Ski resort, which offers 23 lifts serving 100 km of slopes, a snow park, 8 restaurants on the slopes, the Alpine Coaster toboggan run, a bike park and records about 500,000 visitors per year. In 2022, the same fund had completed the acquisition of Sestrieres SpA.

"With this transaction we are strengthening Piedmont's tourist offer in an increasingly international dimension, creating a ski resort synergy capable of offering a comprehensive tourist offer to the satisfaction of our customers," commented Ivana Semeraro, partner of iCON Infrastructure and consultant to Sestrieres SpA and Colomion SpA. "Our goal is to further develop both ski resorts, Vialattea and Bardonecchia Ski, with a long-term development plan for the benefit of our guests, the economy and local communities and institutions."

The idea is to create a "synergy of ski resorts of great national and international strategic importance" capable of improving their position in the winter and summer market and giving greater prominence to the Piedmontese mountains. The two companies will be independent and will have their own management and board of directors, but work will be carried out to create important synergies.

"This operation will allow our group to gain importance both nationally and internationally," commented Nicola Bosticco, Managing Director of Colomion SpA. "In recent years we have intensified our collaboration with Vialattea and now we can create strong territorial synergies that will enhance both beautiful ski resorts and promote sustainable and responsible summer tourism. We are pleased to be able to contribute to this important project." The President of Sestrieres SpA, Giovanni Brasso, expressed the same sentiment: "Vialattea and Bardonecchia Ski are two established players in the ski resort and mountain market at an international level. They have their own identity, but together they will create a strategic tourist center for the area, making the most of their strengths."