The Adamello Ski ski complex is located on the very border with Trentino – Alto Adige and includes the villages of Passo del Tonale, Ponte di Legno, Temu and the Prezena glacier. 9 km of cross-country skiing tracks pass through the picturesque forests, 30 km of tracks for the northern types of skiing disciplines are laid near the village of Vermiglio (province of Trento). Fans of high-speed descents will be satisfied with tracks with a total length of 42 km at an altitude of 2,700-3,000 meters of the Prezen glacier, where skiing can be practiced even in summer.

The Val Camonica valley, in which the resort is located, is one of the largest alpine valleys, where the Stelvio National Park is located. In addition to winter sports, tourists have the opportunity to take walks, inspecting medieval fortresses and castles and admiring the wonderful surrounding landscapes. Those who wish can relax in the thermal baths of Boario (Terme di Boario), which have a high therapeutic effect.

Adamelo Ski Resort is located on the old mountain road leading from Milan to Bolzano, between Lombardy and Trentino. It includes three skiing areas: Ponte di Legno, Passo Tonale and Prezena (altitude 3869) with a total length of 100 km. Here is the longest skiing season in the Dolomites, and the Prezen glacier and cannons guarantee year-round skiing. Ponte di Legno was first mentioned in the tourist guide of Italy in 1912, due to the fact that one of the first ski clubs in Italy, “Ponte di Legno”, was formed here. However, the resort developed rather slowly. Until 1977, there were only five elevators for which five different skipasses had to be purchased.

The main construction began in the late eighties. Tonale was built according to a plan one hundred percent oriented to a year-round ski resort, so all lifts can be reached on foot. They are located mainly on treeless slopes, the tracks are numerous and designed for “stress-free” skiing. The architecture of the resort is without frills, modern forms, the main thing is to be comfortable. The resort looks very democratic. Many bars and restaurants where you can have fun after skiing. The resort is democratic not only in appearance, but also in terms of prices. According to the general impression, the percentages are 15-20 cheaper, with, of course, the traditionally high quality of the slopes and service. It is very popular among European youth and skaters from Eastern Europe.

Ponte di Legno and Tonale are connected by a high-speed gondola and the journey between them takes only 15 minutes. If skiing took you too long and you were late for it, don’t worry: there are buses between the villages, but it will take about an hour. Ponte di Legno is a typical mountain village with narrow streets, cozy hotels and charming private houses. The tracks are laid in the forest, which provides coziness. Twice a week, evening rides are usually organized here. Age-old Christmas trees standing around the tracks give mystery and increase the emotionality of skiing. Ponte di Legno is considered a more respectable place and, accordingly, has a less lively evening life. It is more suitable for family vacations.

In all the guides, Adamello Ski is characterized as a place for skiing beginners and the public of intermediate level. This is true. There are a large number of easy trails, but at the same time they are very diverse. Beginner skiers have the opportunity to gradually increase the difficulty of the descents, honing their skiing skills on well-maintained, professionally laid tracks. This resort could be classified as a purely family resort, if it were not for the Permiso zone. It is for advanced skiers. On the black track Paradiso, 2700 m long, you will have to really work hard. There are also excellent places for freeride. And the first and most important thing: the natural conditions of Permiso, with a large amount of snow, cause the absence of avalanches. Here, with a certain skill, it is possible to ride off-piste on your own. And with a guide, you can walk the 14 km long Pizgana trail, famous among freeriders in Europe.

The best skiing place in Adamello Ski is, of course, Ponte di Lenio (2120-1256 m). It consists of three peaks. Red and black tracks are different. Skiing “in the Christmas tree” from top to bottom. Great place. Go straight there, and don’t waste time and energy on the Passo del Tonale. Between Passo del Tonale and Ponte di Lenio there is a wonderful lift with cabins, but from Passo del Tonale 1883m to Ponte di Lenio you can ski down.

Prezena . It consists of three consecutive lifts. The lower section has a great 37 black track, but don’t be afraid – it’s actually red with steep but wide sections. The second section (a little higher) is connected to the provided cold and old lift and back by a leading road with a minimal slope (you can’t call it a track). On the third section at 3069m, there are black and red tracks. They don’t seem to be worth riding for so long on the second section, except for the lack of snow, since the third section is at an altitude of 3069m. But 37 is definitely worth a visit. The condition of the slopes is good. Everything depends on the presence of snow and weather. During the day, Italians do not plow the tracks, although sometimes, especially during snowfall, it would be extremely necessary.

If you suddenly want mountain luxury, in every sense, the Madonna de Campillo resort is just 20 km away .

How to get there

You can get there via Verona. From Verona there is a series of wonderful flat tunnels. The last section from Ponte di Lenio is a rather difficult serpentine. In case of snowfall, it will probably be very unpleasant to drive.

It is possible from Milan, for sure. You can consider alternative options from Zurich or Munich.

Passo del Tonale is a pass on the border of Lombardy and Trentino

Passo del Tonale is a mountain pass at an altitude of 1883 m above sea level, on the border of two natural parks – Stelvio in the province of Lombardy and Adamello-Brenta in Trentino.

At the highest point of the pass, a bronze monument was built in memory of the soldiers who died in the First World War.

Right here, on the pass, is the ski resort of Passo del Tonale , which a few years ago could have been called the “lowest point of the region” if a cable car had not been built to the pass from the neighboring village of Ponte di Legno, which is 600 m below expensive Thus, the Passo del Tonale ski area, together with the Pres, Ponte di Legno and Temu glaciers, became part of the Adamello Ski agglomeration , which currently has more than 100 km of prepared slopes and 28 lifts with a total capacity of 50,625 people per hour.

Thanks to the constant modernization of the park of lifts in Pacso del Tonale, as well as the expansion due to the addition of Temu village to Ponte di Legno in 2005, the cable cars of the Adamello Ski region are among the most modern in Italy. By the 2015/16 season, in the upper part of the Pres glacier, several outdated bugel lifts were replaced by a new gondola-type cable car with cabins for 10 people each, so that tourists had comfortable access to the glacier skiing area at an altitude of 3000 m. It is from here that you can make the most dizzying descents, enjoy the panorama of the surrounding peaks and view from a height most of the tracks of the Paco del Tonale, laid on the southern slopes of Cima Cadi (2606 m).

The main part of the ski slopes in the Adamello Ski region is suitable for those who prefer comfortable skiing on sunny, well-viewed slopes of an average level of difficulty. Novice skiers can master turns on the slopes in the immediate vicinity of the village of Tonale – the lower stations of the lifts are located on its outskirts. As for the real masters, the “black” tracks are at their service, both in Passo del Tonale and in the neighboring Ponte di Legno. The most impressive descent, according to experts, is track #37, leading from Passo Paradiso (2585 m) to the outskirts of Tonale.

In addition to mountain skiing and snowboarding, you can go cross-country skiing (30 km), ice-skating, dog and horse sledding, snowmobiles, snow rafts, snow tubing, etc. in Tonale. There are several outdoor tennis courts and an indoor sports complex.

Fans of boisterous apresque will not be bored here: a large selection of discos, bars and pubs will conquer the most ardent lovers of nightlife.

Where to stay

In total, there are more than 70 hotels in Passo Tonale. Here are some of them:

Hotel Bezzi 3-star hotel

Hotel Bezzi is located 2.1 km from Passo del Tonale. It offers non-smoking rooms, free bike rental, free WiFi and a garden. Among the facilities of this property are a ski-to-door access, a ski pass sales point, a bar and a shared lounge. Each room has a balcony with a view of the mountains.

At the hotel, all rooms are equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All rooms have a wardrobe.

A continental breakfast is available every morning at Bezzi.

A terrace is at guests’ disposal. Hiking and skiing are popular in the surrounding area. You can rent a bicycle at Hotel Bezzi.

Popular points of interest near the hotel include Nigritella, Paradiso and Vijaya Colony – Tonale.

La Torretta 3-star hotel

Hotel La Torretta provides modern rooms with free Wi-Fi, iPads and flat-screen TVs. The hotel is located in the Passo del Tonale, between the Stelvio and Adamello Brenta national parks.

Each room has carpeted or wooden floors. All rooms have a sofa and a balcony with a view of the mountains.

For breakfast, you will be offered a varied menu, which includes pastries and various grain products, as well as cheeses and assorted meats from local sausages. The restaurant serves regional and Italian cuisine, as well as traditional pizza.

The family-run Hotel La Torretta is opposite the ski slopes of Valena, which are equipped with a lift.

Grand Hotel Paradiso 5-star hotel

Feel like a celebrity with great service at Grand Hotel Paradiso

Grand Hotel Paradiso is located opposite the main ski slopes in the Ponte di Legno and Passo del Tonale areas, and close to the summer ski slopes of Mount Press.

Hotel Paradiso organizes a transfer from the northern Italian airports. The staff will help guests to rent a car.

The Paradiso Hotel has a health and fitness center. You can rent skis at a discount in the hotel shop.

Rooms have LCD TVs with pay movies, balconies with panoramic views, and Wi-Fi.

The hotel offers an entertainment program for children and adults. Other amenities include a conference center and a restaurant.

Hotel Sole 3-star hotel

Offering a free health and fitness centre, Hotel Sole is located in Passo del Tonale, a mountain pass through the Rhaetian Alps. It offers a traditional restaurant, a bar, and rooms with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.

Featuring mountain views, these rooms have carpeted floors and wooden furniture. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries.

A buffet breakfast with snacks and sweets is served daily. In the restaurant you can taste traditional dishes of local and international cuisine.

There is a spa center with a free indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and Turkish bath. The hotel can arrange free 30-minute forest tours for you, followed by a barbecue.

The ski bus, which stops in front of Hotel Sole, takes you to the Paradis ski area, 1.5 km away. You can reach Ponte di Legno by car in 15 minutes.