Freeridingat Passo del Tonale - Backcountry Skiing - Adamello-Presanella Alps

Back

Start Tours Freeridingat Passo del Tonale

Bookmark

Plan a route here

Fitness

Freeridingat Passo del Tonale

• 2 • Backcountry Skiing • Adamello-Presanella Alps

Responsible for this content
VisitTrentino

/ Il ghiacciaio del Pisgana
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Cain Olsen in piega
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Via nel canalone ancora tutto da tracciare
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Firn mattutino sul fuoripista del vescasa
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Il caratteristico dito roccioso che da il nome al canale
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ La gioia di poter disegnare le prime tracce
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Nell'anfiteatro del Cantiere
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Rientrando verso il passo del Tonale
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Salendo al Passo del Dito
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino
/ Ghiacciaio del Presena visto dalla Forcella del Dito
Photo: Ale Beber, VisitTrentino
/ Freeriders
Photo: Ale Beber, VisitTrentino
/ curve in uscita dal Canale del Dito
Photo: Ale Beber, VisitTrentino

Alexander Frassen
on the 2019-02-05

Alexander Frassen rated 'very good'.

View all comments

Weather

The Tour

For off-piste skiing enthusiasts, the Passo del Tonale-Presena Glacier ski area has deservedly become one of the most sought-after destinations in the entire Alps!

medium

7.7 km

1:15 h

48 m

1150 m

The ski area of the Passo del Tonale is definitely one of the best destinations for off-piste skiing in western Trentino thanks to a series of favourable characteristics such as elevation (ranging between 1,900 and 3,000 metres a.s.l.), exposure (mainly northerly) and the cut of the land itself which offers a range of valleys and ravines with varying slopes and difficulty levels.

Off-piste descents such as “Il Cantiere” (the Building Site) or the “Canale del Diavolo” (The Devil’s Channel), to name but a few, attract free-ride aficionados from across Europe.

A typical day’s skiing would usually start off with a warm-up descent along the Vescasa off-piste route which can be reached with the Alpino chairlift (southern exposure). This would be followed by a second descent down the narrow valley of the “Il Cantiere” which can be reached with the ski-lift facilities of the Presena glacier and the day would be topped off with a final, and steeper, descent down the “Canale del Diavolo” gully which can also be reached from the facilies of the Presena glacier after a 10 minute uphill hike (a climb of about 80 metres).

Author’s recommendation

“Freeride in Lombardia” byP.MarazziandG.Bordoni, ed.Versante Sud 2010. Map“Adamello-Presanella”by 4Land, scale1:25.000, table no.138.

Author

Ale Beber

Updated: 2018-11-14

Details

Difficulty

medium

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Altitude

2984 m

1839 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Exposition

Safety information

Remember, snowpack stability is subject to sudden and unforeseeable changes and shifts. Always check the local avalanche bulletin (www.meteotrentino.it) before departure and make sure you gather all possible information concerning current conditions at the Mountain Guides’ office. https://www.guidealpinevaldisole.it

Also remember that off-piste skiing within recognised ski areas is regulated and subject to limitations: find out about any areas that may be off-limits or inaccessible.

GPS routes are merely indicative of the more reasonable track but must not be followed blindly without first checking current slope and terrain conditions.

Equipment

For all off-piste skiing activities, the proper apparel is strongly recommended. Skiers must bear in mind that temperatures can dip quickly and garments should also be suitable for snowy conditions (such as waterproof Gore-Tex jackets). Furthermore, gloves, cap, sun glasses and sun cream should also form part of every off-piste skier’s basic gear.

It’s also important to bear in mind that tight fitting or insufficiently waterproof ski boots can cause frostbite.

It’s also COMPULSARY to carry with you an avalanche rescue kit consisting of avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel (this is also available for rent).

A suitable helmet and other safety equipment are also strongly recommended (avalanche airbags etc.).

Tips, hints and links

Ski Area

https://www.valdisole.net/it/Adamello-Ski-Pontedilegno-Tonale/

Local mountain guides:

https://www.guidealpineadamello.it

Turn-by-turn directions

Start

From the car park of the Paradiso cable car station in Passo del Tonale (2,984 m a.s.l.) (2984 m)

Coordinates:

Geographic

46.220079, 10.585050

UTM

32T 622246 5119721

Destination

Back at the car park of the Paradiso cable car station in Passo del Tonale

Turn-by-turn directions

There are plenty of beautiful and recommended routes but here we’ve decided to go for what is probably the most classic of the descents: the legendary “Il Cantiere”.

Access to this route is extremely simple as it lies just a few dozen metres from the upper station of the Presena cableway.

The first stretch is probably the steepest (30°) and requires some extra attention but from then on just follow the contours of the snow and the gentler slopes while avoiding the steep walls of the narrow valley.

At the bottom of the slope you’ll have to cross about 300 metres of level terrain, maybe helping yourself along with your ski poles every now and again, to reach the return track (an old military road) which will take you as far as the tunnel (he you must remove your skis as ice tends to form inside) which leads back to Passo del Tonale.

Getting There

Public transport

Public transport is available

http://www.pontedilegnotonale.com/IT/Ski_Bus/

Getting there

Follow the entire Val di Sole as far as Passo del Tonale and then leave your car in the large carpark on your left from where the ski-lift facilities for the Presena glacier depart.