After the great success of the opening ceremony, animated by the parade of Olympic mascots, sports clubs, and folk groups in traditional costumes, the Morbegno Alps Festival continues its rich calendar of events with a new event dedicated to the history and culture of the mountain.

On Saturday, at 5:30 PM, in the halls of the S. Antonio complex, the exhibition “Snow and Identity, a Century of Skiing in Valtellina” will be inaugurated, an exhibition path that tells over a hundred years of the evolution of skiing and its deep connection with the Valtellinese territory.

The special guest of the evening will be Chicco Cotelli, a reference figure in Italian technical skiing, who will present in preview his new book “La Tecnica Moderna” (expected release December 2025). As a trainer and federal technician, and former member of the FISI's Applied Research Laboratory for Sports, Cotelli has significantly contributed to the development of biomechanics applied to skiing and the scientific culture of the discipline. Among his most notable works is the volume “Sci moderno,” created with his brother Mario, which reconstructs in 3D the curves of champions through stroboscopic photography and advanced technological analyses.

The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Pro Loco di Aprica, the custodian of the Museum of Ski and Mountain, created thanks to the commitment and vision of Elio Negri, known by everyone as “Picia.” A passionate collector since childhood, Negri dedicated his life to the preservation of skis, equipment, and historical testimonies, launching the exhibition “Scarpù Uècc” in 2006, the original nucleus of the current permanent museum. His legacy, after his passing in 2025, continues to live through a shared heritage with the community and mountain enthusiasts.

THE EXHIBITION

Curated by Loredana Senna (Up Service), the exhibition takes the public on a journey through four chronological sections, from the early decades of the 1900s to the present day.
The objects from the Museum of Ski and Mountain – skis, poles, technical equipment, clothing items – tell the evolution of the relationship between man and snow, between necessity, research, sport, and cultural identity.

“The exhibition – explains the curator – invites you to discover materials, forms, and solutions that, over time, have represented ingenuity and adaptation to the challenges of the alpine environment. Every displayed piece is a trace of the past that continues to speak to us and to testify to a knowledge rooted in the gestures, passions, and trades of our land. Valtellina is distinguished not only by its landscapes but also by the champions who have brought the valley to the international stage, contributing to define our collective identity.”

In light of the Winter Olympics that will involve Alta Valtellina, the exhibition also represents an opportunity to reflect on the value of historical memory and how the past continues to influence the present and inspire the future.

Speech by Anna Gusmeroli, Deputy Mayor of Morbegno

“We are pleased to welcome to Morbegno an exhibition that tells not only the history of skiing but also the history of our communities and their deep connection with the mountain. The Morbegno Alps Festival was created precisely with the aim of enhancing the excellences of the territory, the collective memory, and the passions that unite us. “Snow and Identity” is a journey that speaks of tradition, innovation, and belonging: elements that continue to characterize Valtellina and that today, in view of the Winter Olympics, assume even more significant value. We thank all those who contributed to this exhibition and who, through their commitment, make it possible to preserve and transmit a cultural heritage that belongs to all of us.”