Freeridingat Passo del Tonale

Freeride skiing

Freeridingat Passo del Tonale

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!

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).

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recommended route Freeride skiing · Adamello-Presanella Alps

Freeride at Passo del Tonale

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VisitTrentino

The Pisgana glacier
Photo: Marco Dalla Riva, VisitTrentino

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For off-piste skiing lovers, the Passo del Tonale-Presena Glacier Ski Area has rightfully become one of the most sought-after destinations across the entire Alpine range!

moderate

Distance 7.7 km

1:15 h

48 m

1,150 m

2,984 m

1,839 m

The Passo del Tonale ski area is definitely the best destination for off-piste skiing in all of western Trentino, thanks to several factors such as altitude (skiing between 1900m and 3000m), exposure (mostly North), and the morphology of the terrain which features a series of valleys and channels of varying angle and difficulty.
Descents like “Il Cantiere” or “il Canale del Diavolo”, just for example, attract freeride enthusiasts from across Europe.

A typical day can still include a “warm-up” descent on the Vescasa off-piste, reachable from the Alpino chairlift (south-facing slope), a second descent precisely in the classic Cantiere valley, reachable from the Presena glacier lifts, and a last one on the steeper Diavolo channel, also reachable from the Presena lifts with 10 minutes of ascent carrying skis on your shoulder (80m elevation gain).

Author’s recommendation

“Freeride in Lombardia” by P. Marazzi and G. Bordoni, ed. Versante Sud 2010. Map “Adamello-Presanella” by 4Land, scale 1:25,000, table no. 138.

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VisitTrentino

Difficulty

moderate

Overall difficulty

moderate

Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

2,984 m

Lowest point

1,839 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

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Nov

Dec

Cardinal direction

Track types

Show elevation profile

Safety information

The stability of the snow cover is subject to sudden and unpredictable changes. Always consult the avalanche bulletin (www.meteotrentino.it) and get well informed about the current conditions at the offices of the Alpine Guides. https://www.guidealpinevaldisole.it

It is reminded that off-piste skiing activity within the ski resort area is regulated and subject to restrictions: make sure to be well informed about existing bans and the presence of any areas prohibited from the lift departures.

Also, gpx tracks are purely indicative of the generally most sensible route, but cannot be followed blindly without a preliminary slope evaluation at that precise moment.

As you can imagine, the passability of the routes in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the current conditions and therefore depends on natural phenomena, environmental changes, and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this card may have changed. Before leaving, get informed about the status of the route by contacting the hut managers on your route, alpine guides, visitor centers of natural parks, and tourist offices.

Tips and suggestions

Ski Area

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

Local alpine guides:

https://www.guidealpineadamello.it

Roadbook

There are many beautiful and recommended routes, but here we have included what is perhaps the classic descent par excellence: the legendary Cantiere.

The start of this descent is as convenient as you can imagine, being just a few dozen meters from the upper station of the new Presena cable car.

The first part is perhaps the steepest (30°) and should be tackled with care, while it is then important to follow the morphology of the terrain, following the gentler slopes and avoiding getting too close to the steep side slopes that close the valley.

Once you reach the final flat area, 300 flat meters where you have to push a little lead to the return road (former military road) that leads to the tunnel (to be tackled carrying skis on your shoulder - be careful of ice inside!) which allows you to return towards Passo del Tonale.

Rest stop

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Waypoint

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Forecast

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Photo

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Public transport

Yes

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

Directions

Go up the Val di Sole to Passo del Tonale, then just after crossing the pass reach the large parking lot (on the left) where the lifts to the Presena glacier start.

Parking

Wide parking possibilities.

Coordinates

46.220079, 10.585050

DMS

46°13'12.3"N 10°35'06.2"E

UTM

32T 622246 5119721

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Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Book recommendation by the author

"Freeride in Lombardia", ed. Versante Sud

Author’s map recommendations

4Land n.138 Adamello-Presanella

Equipment

For all off-piste skiing excursions, appropriate clothing is recommended even in case of sudden temperature drops and waterproof to contact with snow (waterproof garments like Gore-Tex). In addition, gloves, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen should be part of each group member’s normal equipment.

It is reminded that ski boots that are too tight or not sufficiently waterproof can cause the beginnings of frostbite on the feet.

It is MANDATORY to have avalanche self-rescue kit, composed of ARTVA, shovel, probe (which can also be rented).

Helmet or other active protection systems (such as backpacks with ABS-Airbag systems) are highly recommended.