Do you want to change your life? This is the opportunity for you! The Elisa Refuge, located at 1,515 meters above sea level in Alta Val Meria, at the foot of the Grigna Settentrionale in the province of Lecco between Lake Como and Valsassina, is looking for a new manager. The structure, inaugurated in 1927 and rebuilt in 1947 after the Second World War, is a point of reference for hikers and climbers in Lombardy.
It can be reached with about a three-hour walk from Rongio, a hamlet of Mandello del Lario, with a height difference of 1,100 metres, making the experience an authentic immersion in the mountain.
The refuge has 18 beds, 18 internal and 30 external table seats, distributed over three floors. On the ground floor there is a dining room, kitchen and pantry, the first floor houses the guest rooms, toilets, storage room and winter bivouac, while the second floor houses the manager’s room and other services. The water supply is from its own source, electricity is provided by solar panels or generator and heating is guaranteed by a wood stove.
Requirements and applications
The management tender is aimed at entrepreneurs, cooperatives, associations and similar entities, provided they have experience in the management of alpine refuges, are authorized to supply food and drinks (SAB) and are CAI members. A management project is also required to improve reception and promotion of the refuge. The application must be sent by 31 December 2025 by direct delivery in a sealed envelope to the CAI Grigne headquarters (via Riva dell’Ospizio SNC, Mandello del Lario) or by email info@caigrigne.it, after having viewed the structure.
Contract and obligations of the manager
The contract will last three years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, with the possibility of tacit renewal. The minimum rent is 2,500 euros per year (excluding VAT). The manager will have to guarantee opening for at least 80 days a year, with continuous periods between July and August, and supervision on public holidays between May and October. The obligations include compliance with the General Refuge Regulations, maintenance of the structure and access routes, as well as taking care of reception and cleaning.
How to participate and evaluation criteria
The tender will be awarded by 31 January 2026. Knowledge of the area, experience in alpine catering and hospitality, mountaineering skills, possession of certifications, local residence, knowledge of English and the size of the economic offer will be assessed. For information you can contact CAI Grigne via WhatsApp or email, consulting the official notice on the website. Managing the Elisa Refuge means combining passion for the mountains and tourist management, in a unique historical and natural context in the Grigne.
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