Passo Tonale

Tonale, one of Italy's highest resorts, offers some 80km of high-altitude skiing, served by a modern and efficient network of lifts and is guaranteed good snow and a long season.   The skiing is a good variety of runs for both beginners and intermediates and a nursery area with a selection of wide, sunny slopes, providing quick progression to the longer runs - it's proven itself to be a magnet for young families.

Tonale probably has one of the best nursery areas in Italy with beautiful, wide, open pistes rising gently from the village. Many of the slopes are south-facing, providing long periods of sunshine, while the altitude helps maintain good snow conditions. An extensive network of lifts to the Presena glacier, link the entire ski area and the intermediate skier will enjoy the wide variety of red runs. Advanced skiers will enjoy the challenging 4.5km run of Alano or Il Paradiso, one of the most exhilarating black runs in the region. An exciting additional feature of the ski enthusiasts' week is the run down to the nearby town of Ponte di Legno. The ski area has been extended with the development of new pistes and lifts around Ponte di Legno and Temu, a two-stage cable car linking Passo Tonale and Ponte di Legno with a continuous 11km descent from Presena to Ponte di Legno a popular option open to skiers of all abilities.   Beginner snowboarders will also find that Tonale is a great resort to learn in, there is also a dedicated snowboard school. Intermediates and experts will love the off-piste and find plenty of powder underneath the chairs.

Passo Tonale isn't the prettiest of resorts, although the views are great. The village itself is compact with hotels and numerous bars, cafés and good value restaurants.  Prices are low, the ski school is excellent and there are few queues. There is also access to the Presena glacier for
year-round skiing. Passo Tonale has plenty of good places for après ski. 

SKIING IN PASSO TONALE: Passo Tonale`s 100km of runs serve skiers of all standards. Trails are generally wide, sunny and above the treeline. There are six beginner lifts at village level - which unlike in many ski resorts is snow sure all season round. Intermediates perhaps have the most to enjoy. A local favourite is the 4.5km run down from the Cima Bleis covered quad chair, or the Valbiolo trail to the east, accessed by another fast quad. Experts are not forgotten. The Paradiso run is one of the best, dropping a stomach-lifting 700m over its 2km length. The world famous off piste Pisgana slope is also here, one of the most challenging in Europe, at 14km long with a 2000 metre vertical drop - one of the world`s greatest. Travel by ski lifts from Passo Tonale to Bocchetta degli Sciatori (2980m), descend to Rifiugio Mandrone (2449m) then climb up the Passo Valletta to the peaks of Monte Venezia (3290m). After admiring the stunning view you begin your descent along the western Pisgana hanging glacier. Ponte de Legno has a small local ski area of its own separate to the main ski area at Tonale and centred on the Valbione area below Cima Salimmo. There is a good variety of trails with near 100% computerised snowmaking cover. The Presena glacier is open throughout the winter season, then normally remains open from May to August, with five trails between 2738m and 3016m on the glacier served by drag lifts. They are reached by a cable car and chairlift from high altitude Tonale (1883m). There are two easy, two medium and one black run. The Skipass Super Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta is a pass of apparently ever increasing size centred on Italy’s Val di Sole. It includes the lift linked area of Madonna di Campiglio, Folgarida and Marilleva and the recently added “White Highlands of Trentino” area, plus Monte Bondone and Pinzolo amongst others. In total more than 300km of runs plus an eight person gondola linking Passo Tonale and Ponte di Legno will open up a continuous 11km descent from Presena to Ponte di Legno. Some of these resorts have a coach service linking them.

Please note: The use of helmets by all children aged 13 and under is now compulsory in all Italian resorts.

RESORT ATTRACTIONS: Tobogganing, cross-country skiing, ski-doos, snow-mobiling, sleigh and horse riding, ice skating, sauna and hot tubs, shops and swimming in nearby Ponte di Legno (€2 approx with free shuttle bus on presentation of ski pass).

APRÈS-SKI: Passo Tonale has plenty of good places for après ski, although these can be quiet during the week outside holiday periods. There are some good inexpensive mountain restaurants, pizzerias, restaurants offering both local and international cuisine, several bars which can keep the après ski fanatic amused until the early hours and the discotheques.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: There are a few interesting attractions near Passo Tonale, a good place to start sightseeing is Ponte de Legno a charming little town that has maintained its traditional character whilst Vermiglio, only a short drive from Passo Tonale, consists of four hamlets, which have many old buildings and churches worth visiting, including the 17th century St. Stefano Church and the 15th century Church of St. Caterina.  There are also a number of walking trails, which offer you the opportunity of exploring the surrounding landscape.