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Passo del Tonale Resort Italy...

Description

A generally flat, rather bleak-looking village with little intrinsic character save one or two nostalgic 19th-century buildings. Built in the 1960s and 70s, it essentially comprises a 1-ml-long main road running the length of the resort and lined with shops, hotels and other amenities; an array of lifts is situated off the middle to W end of the road, with slopes terminating within yards of the asphalt and many hotels. Another quieter, higher road runs along the back of the village, close to the piste.

Suitability:
Firmly middlemarket to budget. Predominantly Italian couples and families, with increasing numbers of British and Scandinavians. Suits all keen skiers seeking piste-to-porch accessibility and proximity to ski-lifts.

Accommodation:
Mostly unsophisticated family-owned properties offering adequate facilities, dotted along the main road. Many situated within a short, level walk of a ski-lift station.

Resort Guide

Snow Range: 1883-3010m

Village Heights: 1,883m (6,213ft)

Highest Lift: 3,010m (9,933ft)

Transfer Times: 2-3 Hours

Apres Ski

There are numerous bars and cafés.
As the lifts close, head to Bar Heaven at Happy Hour (2 drinks for the price of 1) for lively Après Ski.

Heaven Disco Pub
The Miramonti disco bar
Antares
Relax at El Bait, with traditional Alpine decor
La Botte with an interesting selection of wines.

Nightlife: fairly lively, friendly hotel bars and a few independent options, plus some small discos open till very late

Activities

Natural ice rink
Cross country skiing
Torchlight descent
Skidoos
Tobogganing with dedicated toboggan lift
Dog sledging

Eating Out

Mainly centred on a variety of hotel restaurants and cafes. Ubiquitous pasta and affordable but good-quality local wine and beer, in addition to mountain fare such as Swiss fondue.

Passo Tonale offers several restaurants La Torretta for excellent pizzas, El Bait or the Focolare for a 3-course meal. Try the excellent burgers at the UFO Bar or the Ski Burger Bar and Antares Restaurant for a fish meal.

Prices from €10 for a 3-course meal
Pizzas from €5 and pasta from €5

Other Amenities

Supermarkets
Sports shops
Shopping in Ponte di Legno
Local speciality shops
Swimming pool at Ponte di Legno, free entry with lift pass (hats must be worn)
Sauna at hotels Vittoria and Gardenia
Fitness room
Beauty centre

Extras Services

Shopping:
Limited to a handful of unsophisticated minimarkets, one or two sportswear retailers and newsagents strung along the main road.

Public Transport:
Limited need for a ski-bus but a service (free with ski-pass) does link Tonale's main square with the lifts at neighbouring Ponte di Legno, which are included on the regional ski-pass.

Ski Area Terrain

Beginners:
With no less than 6 lifts for the beginner at village level, progress for first timers is normally fast and satisfying. Under careful tuition from the excellent English speaking instructors, in a few days the beginner is up on the higher slopes

Intermediaries:
From the halfway point of the Nigritella chairlift, the intermediate who takes the covered fast 4-seater chairlift to Cima Bleis will be rewarded with a long 4.5kms run in spectacular scenery. Climb higher on yet another bubble chair to the more challenging Contrabandieri with views across the whole valley.

Advanced:
There are some fast runs in Passo Tonale. On the south side of the village the Paradiso cable car rises to 2,585m and from here there is a knee trembling black run under the cable car. Higher up is the glacier with guaranteed snow and with several ski lifts.

Snowboard Guide:
Passo Tonale is hiding some superb terrain up its sleeve. The avid freerider should hire a guide and head for the Pisgana trail, a 9 mile run that comes down from the Presena Glacier to Ponte di Legno. First timers will be pleased due to Tonale's wide easy terrain making learning a little less painful.

How to Book...

0871 226 2812

Italy Ski Resorts