Adamello Freeride

Adamello Freeride

Freeride & Powder
Season
December to April
Difficulty
3 / 10 Easy
Duration
1 day
Availability
Dec 2026 → Apr 2027
Group
max 5 people
Ratio
1 : 5
Meeting point
Passo del Tonale. We confirm the exact meeting point and any rental collection arrangements before the day.

This trip uses our 1-10 overall difficulty scale (technical + fitness + exposure + environment). How this scale works

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

  • Starting at Passo del Tonale, with lift access to the Presena area.
  • A route that combines an uphill approach with a long off-piste descent.
  • Pisgana and Pisganino as different possibilities, not interchangeable runs.
  • Return arrangements agreed for the valley where the descent finishes.

OVERVIEW

About this trip

Pisgana and Pisganino are long mountain descents, where the approach is an important part of the day. We start from Passo del Tonale and use the Presena lifts to gain height before continuing towards the chosen route.

Pisganino generally involves a shorter approach on skins, while Pisgana requires a longer approach across glaciated terrain. In both cases, this is much more than skiing a few runs close to the pistes: you need to be comfortable skiing off-piste in changing snow conditions and spending several hours in the mountains with a backpack.

The upper slopes and the terrain lower down can offer very different skiing conditions within the same descent. Being able to ski with control and adapt as the snow changes is more important here than skiing fast.

We discuss the intended route beforehand, but make the final decision based on snow and avalanche conditions, glacier conditions, lift operations and the experience of the group. If neither of the classic descents is suitable, we look at other options in the area.

The return to Passo del Tonale depends on where the descent finishes and may involve a short transfer.

ITINERARY

Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    From Presena to the valley

    We meet at Passo del Tonale, check the equipment and use the lifts to gain height. From there, the day can develop in very different ways depending on the conditions and the group.

    Some descents start almost directly from the lift system, while others involve a short walk or a section on skins. We might spend the day skiing several freeride lines around Tonale and Presena, or choose a longer itinerary that takes us further into the Adamello.

    Routes such as Sgualdrina or Cantiere offer more direct freeride skiing, while Pisgana and Pisganino involve a longer journey through high-mountain and glaciated terrain before the main descent.

    We decide the exact plan according to the snow, avalanche conditions, visibility, lift operations and the experience of the group. We go through the route together before setting off and can adapt the day if conditions change.

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements

  • Skiing
    You should ski off-piste with controlled turns and manage changing snow over a long descent. Confidence on black pistes alone is not enough.
  • Touring and fitness
    You should be familiar with touring equipment and able to spend several hours at altitude carrying a backpack. We confirm the approach and expected effort for the intended route beforehand.
  • Exposed terrain
    These are high-mountain routes. Tell us about previous off-piste descents and how you feel on exposed terrain so we can assess whether the proposed outing is suitable.
  • Mandatory avalanche safety equipment
    Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are mandatory for every participant (rental possible on request). We do a quick check together in the morning.
  • Winter clothing and personal kit for a full day outside
    Warm and breathable layers, waterproof shell, gloves, hat, goggles/sunglasses, 25-35 L backpack, water or thermos and snacks. A detailed gear list is sent on booking.

GEAR CHECKLIST

Gear list

Required Provided Optional Available to rent

clothing

5
  • Gloves & hat
    Required
    Light gloves, warm gloves or mittens, wool hat / buff. Bring light gloves, a warmer pair and a hat or buff.
  • Insulated jacket
    Required
    Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic) for stops, summits and emergency situations. Pack a warm layer for stops and colder conditions.
  • Shell jacket & trousers
    Required
    Waterproof / windproof jacket and overtrousers (Gore-Tex or similar). Bring weather protection for the climb, exposed ground and changing conditions.
  • Ski clothing (layers)
    Required
    Breathable base layers, fleece or light insulating jacket, ski touring pants. Dress for the uphill approach as well as the long descent, with layers you can adjust.
  • Ski touring boots
    Required Available to rent
    Ski touring boots compatible with bindings and crampons if needed. Touring boots must be compatible with your bindings and boot crampons. Tell us your size if you need rental.

emergency

1
  • Emergency bivouac shelter
    Provided
    Lightweight emergency bivouac shelter or thermal blanket for unexpected stops or emergencies. Guide carries an emergency bivy/thermal blanket.

personal

6
  • Backpack
    Required Available to rent
    Backpack with a gear-carry option; recommended size varies by trip, see the note. A backpack with space for the full technical kit, extra clothing, food and drinks for several hours away from the lifts.
  • Mobile phone
    Required
    Fully charged mobile phone for communication and emergency use.
  • Personal kit & snacks
    Required
    1L thermos or bottle, small personal first aid, snacks for the day. Pack food and drinks for the planned outing, plus any personal medication. We will confirm how much to carry for your route.
  • Sun protection
    Required
    High SPF sunscreen and lip balm for protection against sun and wind at altitude. Bring sunscreen and lip protection for the day.
  • Sunglasses & goggles
    Required
    Category 3–4 sunglasses and ski goggles for bad weather. Bring sunglasses for bright snow and goggles for wind, snowfall and the descent.
  • Power bank & cable
    Optional
    Power bank and charging cable to keep devices operational in cold conditions. Recommended to keep devices operational in cold conditions.

safety

8
  • Avalanche transceiver / beacon (ARTVA)
    Required Available to rent
    Modern 3-antenna transceiver/beacon with fresh batteries. Each participant needs a working avalanche transceiver. We check the equipment together before setting off.
  • Lightweight harness
    Required Available to rent
    Lightweight harness for glacier travel or short roped sections. A harness is required for Pisgana and Pisganino. Available to rent through us.
  • Probe
    Required Available to rent
    Avalanche probe (240–300 cm). Each participant needs an avalanche probe; rental is available through us.
  • Shovel
    Required Available to rent
    Metal avalanche shovel (no plastic models). Each participant needs an avalanche shovel; rental is available through us.
  • Skimo Helmet
    Required Available to rent
    Ski Mountaineering helmet. A helmet suitable for the planned skiing is required. Available to rent through us.
  • Avalanche airbag backpack
    Optional Available to rent
    Airbag-compatible ski backpack (ABS, Avabag, Jetforce or similar). Increases chances of staying on the surface in an avalanche event. Optional. Available to rent through us; an airbag does not replace a transceiver, shovel and probe.
  • Back protector
    Optional Available to rent
    Back protection suitable for freeride and heliski skiing. Strongly recommended.
  • Whistle
    Optional
    Emergency whistle, often integrated into backpacks or chest straps. Recommended (often integrated into backpacks).

technical

8
  • Climbing skins
    Required Available to rent
    Skins cut to size and in good condition, with reliable glue. Climbing skins are required for the uphill approach and must fit your skis.
  • Mountaineering crampons
    Required Available to rent
    Mountaineering crampons compatible with your boots. Required for this outing. Available to rent through us; fit must be checked with your boots.
  • Mountaineering ice axe
    Required Available to rent
    A mountaineering ice axe for the planned glacier outing. Required for this outing. Available to rent through us.
  • Poles
    Required Available to rent
    Adjustable ski poles for touring. Ski poles; telescopic or fixed, as you prefer, with baskets big enough for soft snow.
  • Ski crampons
    Required Available to rent
    Ski crampons compatible with your bindings, for hard or icy snow. Ski crampons compatible with your bindings are required, in addition to boot crampons.
  • Ski touring skis
    Required Available to rent
    Touring skis suitable for ski mountaineering, with touring bindings. Skis with touring bindings are required for the uphill sections as well as the descent.
  • Radio (group communication)
    Provided
    Two-way radio for group communication in freeride/heliski terrain (provided or checked by the guide).
  • Ski straps
    Optional Available to rent
    Strong ski straps for carrying skis, securing gear or emergency repairs.

PRICES

Prices

  • 1 people
    €450 Per person / day
  • 2 people
    €280 Per person / day
  • 3 people
    €210 Per person / day
  • 4 people
    €175 Per person / day
  • 5 people
    €155 Per person / day

INCLUDED

Included

Included

  • IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide for the full freeride day.
  • Planning and route choice for the Pisgana or Pisganino outing.
  • Shared ropes, group glacier equipment and radios used by the guide.
  • Practical advice on line choice, skiing and pacing along the route.

Not included

  • Personal clothing and other personal items.
  • Personal technical equipment rental, unless specifically included in your quote.
  • Lift passes for Passo del Tonale / Presena and any extra uplift used during the day.
  • Travel to and from Passo del Tonale and any transfer from the end of the descent back to the meeting point. Return transfers are arranged separately and are not included in the guiding price.
  • Meals, drinks, snacks and any hut stops or après-ski expenses.
  • Personal travel, health and mountain rescue insurance.
  • Anything not explicitly listed under "Included"

Optional

  • All personal technical equipment needed for the outing is available to rent through us. Tell us what you need when you send your request; we will confirm the equipment and rental cost before you book.