Adamello Freeride – Pisgana & Pisganino Day

Adamello Freeride – Pisgana & Pisganino Day

Freeride & Powder
Difficulty
3 / 10 Easy
Duration
1 day
Availability
Dec 2025 – Apr 2026
Group size
max 5 Pax
Guide : Clients
1 : 5
Meeting point
Passo del Tonale (TN). Exact meeting point confirmed 24h before based on snow and conditions.

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

Highlights

  • Big glacier-style runs from the Presena area towards the valley – Pisgana, Pisganino or similar, depending on snow and avalanche conditions.
  • Quick lift access from Passo del Tonale so most of the day is spent skiing, not skinning.
  • Long, continuous descents with a real journey feel: high, open basins at the top and more defined terrain lower down.
  • Terrain and timing decided together on the day, with a clear explanation of why some options are “in” and others are not.
  • End of day back in Tonale or Ponte di Legno with time for a drink and a quick debrief, not a rush to the car.

Overview

A freeride day on the Adamello side of Passo del Tonale that takes you into some of the area’s most talked-about lines - Pisganino for its sweeping 2000 m plus descent off the glacier, and Pisgana for a longer, high-alpine route across wide snowfields with unforgettable panoramas.


We start from Passo del Tonale and rise quickly by lift to Passo Presena. After warming up and reading the snow, we decide with the group whether to aim for the faster, flowing Pisganino descent or the more glacier-oriented Pisgana traverse. The choice depends on conditions and how the day feels underfoot - nothing is forced.


Pisganino is a classic for good reason: just a short skin from the top of the lifts, then a long descent of over 2000 m through terrain that stays quiet and open, especially in spring. Pisgana requires going a bit higher and further, offering huge views before dropping back toward the valley. Both routes give a real taste of Adamello freeride terrain without unnecessary complexity.


By the end of the afternoon - riding back toward Tonale or Ponte di Legno - you’ll understand why these lines are repeated year after year. It’s a simple formula: good snow when we can find it, thoughtful line choice, and a day on skis that feels honest and deeply rewarding.

Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Example day – Presena lifts & Pisgana / Pisganino descent

    We meet in the morning at Passo del Tonale, check gear together and take the lifts on the Presena side. On the way up we look at the snow, the weather and the plan for the day.


    From the top lift we move onto the high terrain above the glacier and decide which option makes the most sense: Pisgana, Pisganino or a neighbouring valley, always according to conditions and the level of the group. A short skin section is usually needed before dropping in.


    The descent is long and varied: open slopes at the top, then more defined terrain and, if conditions allow, a continuous run all the way down towards the valley. We pace the day so there is time to stop, look around and adjust the line if something does not feel right.


    At the bottom we organise the return to Passo del Tonale (or back to the car), grab a drink and make a quick debrief. Exact details change with snow, lifts and avalanche conditions – this is an example of how the day can look when everything lines up.

Requirements

  • Off-piste skiing in variable snow
    You should be solid on black pistes and comfortable skiing ungroomed snow (powder, tracked, spring snow). We adapt slope angle and line to the actual level of the group.
  • Some previous ski touring or big-mountain day experience
    Short skin sections and a full day out at altitude are part of the program. You do not need to be a racer, but you should be used to moving for several hours with a backpack.
  • Okay with exposure and long descents
    The run can be long and feel serious in places. We avoid “no-fall” terrain, but there are sections where a controlled, confident turn is important.
  • 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

clothing

  • Clothing – layers
    Required
    Breathable base layers, fleece or light insulating jacket, ski touring pants.
    Normal winter layering: technical base layer, light mid-layer and something you are happy to move in all day.
  • Gloves & hat
    Required
    Light gloves, warm gloves or mittens, wool hat / buff.
    Two pairs of gloves (one lighter, one warmer) and a hat / buff that you will actually wear while skiing.
  • Shell jacket & pants
    Required
    Waterproof / windproof jacket and overpants (Gore-Tex or similar).
    Waterproof / windproof shell jacket and pants; you should be comfortable standing in wind or light snowfall on the ridge.

personal

  • Backpack 25–35 L
    Required Rentable
    Ski touring backpack, 25–35 litres, with ski carry option.
    Backpack 25–35 L with space for shovel, probe and an extra layer. Ski carry useful but not mandatory.
  • Personal kit & snacks
    Required
    1L thermos or bottle, small personal first aid, snacks for the day.
    Snacks you like to eat while moving, plus 1–1.5 L of water or a small thermos.
  • Sunglasses & goggles
    Required
    Category 3–4 sunglasses and ski goggles for bad weather.
    Sunglasses for the climb / valley and goggles for colder, windy or snowy sections.

safety

  • Avalanche transceiver (ARTVA)
    Required Rentable
    Modern 3-antenna avalanche transceiver, with fresh batteries.
    Modern 3-antenna transceiver with fresh batteries and that you know how to use.
  • Helmet
    Required Rentable
    Ski / mountaineering helmet.
    Ski or mountaineering helmet you are happy to wear all day on lifts and off-piste.
  • Probe
    Required Rentable
    Avalanche probe (240–300 cm).
    Avalanche probe 240–300 cm, assembled and checked before leaving the car.
  • Shovel
    Required Rentable
    Metal avalanche shovel.
    Metal avalanche shovel, not a tiny or plastic model.
  • Avalanche airbag backpack
    Optional Rentable
    Airbag-compatible ski backpack (ABS, Avabag, Jetforce or similar). Increases chances of staying on the surface in an avalanche event.
    Avalanche airbag backpack (ABS, Avabag, Jetforce or similar). Not mandatory, but a good extra layer of safety for freeride terrain.

technical

  • Poles
    Required Rentable
    Adjustable ski poles for touring.
    Ski poles; telescopic or fixed, as you prefer, with baskets big enough for soft snow.
  • Ski touring boots
    Required Rentable
    Ski touring boots compatible with bindings and crampons if needed.
    Ski boots that you can ski confidently off-piste. Touring boots are fine if that is what you normally use.
  • Ski touring skis
    Required Rentable
    Touring skis suitable for ski mountaineering, with touring bindings.
    Freeride or all-mountain skis suitable for off-piste; a waist around 90–110 mm works very well for Pisgana-type descents.
  • Boot crampons
    Optional Rentable
    Crampons compatible with your boots (if conditions require).
    Boot crampons only if conditions suggest a short boot section on firm snow or ice. Rare, but sometimes useful.
  • Climbing skins
    Optional Rentable
    Skins cut to size and in good condition, with reliable glue.
    Climbing skins only if a short approach on skins is part of the plan – usually decided the day before based on conditions.
  • Ice axe
    Optional Rentable
    Lightweight ice axe for ski mountaineering (if conditions require).
    Light ice axe for short boot sections, only if the chosen line really requires it.
  • Ski crampons
    Optional Rentable
    Ski crampons compatible with your bindings, for hard or icy snow.
    Ski crampons can be useful if we use skins on firmer morning snow or traverses.
Required • Provided • Optional • Rentable

Prices

  • 1 Pax
    €400 per person per day
  • 2 Pax
    €250 per person per day
  • 3 Pax
    €200 per person per day
  • 4 Pax
    €170 per person per day
  • 5 Pax
    €150 per person per day

What’s included

Included

  • UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide or aspirant guide for the full freeride day.
  • Planning of the day and choice of lines around Passo del Tonale and the Pisgana / Pisganino area based on snow, weather and group level.
  • Use of shared safety equipment where needed (rope, basic glacier kit, radios) for group management and short roped sections.
  • On-snow tips on line choice, pace and practical risk awareness during the day, without turning the trip into a classroom.

Not included

  • Personal freeride or ski touring equipment (skis, boots, skins if used, poles) and all personal clothing.
  • Avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel, probe) and its rental, unless we explicitly arrange it together in advance.
  • Lift passes for Passo del Tonale / Presena and any extra uplift used during the day.
  • Transport to and from Passo del Tonale and any local transfers from valley exits back to the meeting point.
  • Meals, drinks, snacks and any hut stops or après-ski expenses.
  • Personal travel, health and mountain rescue insurance.