The Lost Slopes of Super St. Bernard

There’s something hauntingly beautiful about abandoned places. The way nature reclaims them, how silence settles into their empty halls, the stories they leave behind.

One such place is Super St. Bernard, a ghostly ski resort straddling the Swiss-Italian border. Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, it wasn’t just a winter getaway—it was a hub of smuggling and adventure. Cigarettes, chocolate, coffee—all the forbidden luxuries of the time found their way through these snow-covered peaks, ferried by those willing to take the risk.

But beyond the contraband, St. Bernard held another secret: it was a freerider’s paradise. Long before the sport gained mainstream recognition, local youth carved their way down untouched slopes, chasing the thrill of the descent. No lifts, no crowds, just pure, unfiltered skiing.