Sunny Valley Kelo Mountain Lodge | Valfurva
The scenery is breathtaking: at 2,700 metres above sea level, in the heart of the Vallalpe within the Stelvio National Park, the largest national park in Europe. The Sunny Valley Kelo Mountain Lodge stands directly on the ski slopes of the Santa Caterina Valfurva Ski Area, reachable by cable car in just 15 minutes, by snowcat or jeep service. A place suspended between sky and earth, away from it all.
The Sunny Valley Kelo Mountain Lodge is the realised dream of Beppe Bonseri, a Valtellina entrepreneur with a past as ski technician for the Italian alpine ski national team and marketing manager for Alberto Tomba. Convinced by the uniqueness of the Pian d’Alpe above Santa Caterina Valfurva and having obtained the licence from the ski resort company, Bonseri rejected an existing architectural proposal in favour of something entirely different: a mountain lodge in local stone and Kelo timber, inspired by the great timber lodges of North American and Canadian forests. Construction began in 2007 and was completed in January 2018 after ten years on site. The structure is the result of the synergy between two teams of craftsmen: Finnish Sami carpenters from Lapland, expert in working with Kelo wood (a Lapp fir tree of approximately 400 years, harvested exclusively at the end of its natural life cycle, with a natural resistance to temperatures as low as -50°C thanks to polar dehydration), and local Valtellina craftsmen, who built the imposing stone walls using material from local quarries. The interiors were curated by studio Lebensraum Home Interiors, with a contemporary and sophisticated approach that enhances the warm tones of timber and stone.
The 11 luxury suites, each different from the next, are divided into four categories and all offer breathtaking views over the Ortler-Cevedale mountain group, Passo Gavia and the snow-covered expanses of the National Park. The wellness SPA covers over 250 m² with a Finnish sauna and a black steam bath (GlamourCollection by Starpool); a snow igloo with an elegant bar completes the offering. The gourmet Mountain Lodge restaurant, one of the highest in Europe, is led by chef Tommaso Bonseri Capitani, Beppe’s son, who interprets Valtellina culinary tradition with contemporary technique and creativity; the Bistrot and the Steakhouse complete the dining offer. In the bathrooms, guests find the Pura collection by GSI. Photography of the property is by Giovanni Caldara.
Year
2018 (completion) / construction begun in 2007
Founder and owner
Beppe Bonseri
Interior design
Lebensraum Home Interiors
Chef
Tommaso Bonseri Capitani (Gourmet Mountain Lodge Restaurant)
Photographer
Giovanni Caldara
