Ponte di Legno’s slopes are lower and more tree lined than Passo Tonale’s, entirely red and easy black pistes, and great fun. This is especially true during a snowfall when the open slopes elsewhere might have poor visibility or white-out conditions.
But between them, all sectors of the ski area have only 100km of pistes. Keen piste-bashers might want to catch the free bus for the 45-minute journey to the resort of Marilleva during the week, to access its more extensive (150km) and varied slopes, which link to Madonna di Campiglio. A day here is included if you pay a supplement for with Passo Tonale’s slightly more expensive Combi lift pass, rather than the local one.
For experts, there’s not much on-piste challenge. But there is plenty of off-piste and ski touring in the area. Three popular off-piste routes are shown on the piste map – but they are not marked on the mountain, not avalanche controlled and not covered by resort ski patrol.
Most of the key lifts in the Pontedilegno-Tonale area are fast chairlifts or gondolas but there are still a few slow chairs. Snow is usually good in Passo Tonale, because of its altitude, and Ponte di Legno’s slopes are mainly shady, so keep their snow well – the Pontedilegno-Tonale area is extensively covered by snowmaking and grooming is good.