News>Feature - Pianca-what? Mountaintop playground offers endless fun
Photos
A tourist rides his bike through a mountain trail in Piancavallo, Italy. Piancavallo is just 25 minutes from Aviano Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Weaver)
A man crosses a rope bridge at the RampyPark in Piancavallo, Italy. Nestled in the trees, 3,800 feet above Aviano, thrill seekers can harness up for the hours-long aerial obstacle course. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Katherine Windish)
A little girl ziplines through the air at the RampyPark in Piancavallo, Italy. Nestled in the trees, 3,800 feet above Aviano, thrill seekers can harness up for the hours-long aerial obstacle course. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Katherine Windish)
by Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/3/2010 - Aviano Air Base, Italy -- Piancavallo may sound like a foreign musical instrument, but for visitors taking the winding route up the scenic mountainside, this resort town sings quite a different tune - one of endless fun and entertainment.
Located just 25 minutes from Aviano Air Base, Piancavallo is known primarily for skiing, sledding and tubing. However, the sun doesn't melt the fun away; it just grows a different kind.
Visitors to the mountaintop resort can enjoy the Alpine coaster, a miniature golf course, a bouncy castle playground, mountain biking and hiking trails and the resorts latest edition, the RampyPark - a forest adventure park.
Nestled in the trees, 3,800 feet above Aviano, thrill seekers can harness up for the hours-long aerial obstacle course. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and children must be at least five years old and three feet or taller to participate. The RampyPark is spread over 50 platforms with five different courses built for various age groups and skill levels.
The park entry fee ranges from 12 to 20 euro depending on how many courses climbers want to traverse. Visitors should plan for one to three hours to complete the course(s).
Just past the RampyPark, a toboggan-style track keeps the adrenaline going as riders wind, dip and turn down more than 3,000 feet of track. The two-person cars even allow adults to take their children on the stomach-dropping fun.
The cost of one ride is 4 euro. Special passes for five or 10 rides are also available at a discount price.
Several restaurants remain open throughout the summer and fall months and a bouncy castle playground located next to one of these restaurants lets the children expend their energy while mom and dad watch from the restaurant veranda. The playground costs 3 euro and children can climb the bouncy castle slides or jump on several trampolines located near the Tremol 1 Chair Lift.
Hikers and mountain bikers can also take advantage of the 24 kilometers of alpine ski runs and 26 kilometers of cross country ski trails. Adventurers can also hop the ski lift, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs 6.50 euro.
For more information on Piancavallo and what the mountain resort offers, visit www.piancavallo.com and click on the English tab. For more information on the RampyPark, call 345-015-5436.
