Adamello Ski Mountaineering Traverse

Adamello Ski Mountaineering Traverse

Ski Mountaineering
Season
February to May
Difficulty
5 / 10 Moderate
Duration
4 days
Availability
Feb 2027 → May 2027
Group
max 5 people
Ratio
1 : 5
Meeting point
Passo del Tonale. We confirm the meeting time, exact location and final-day return arrangements before departure.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

  • Four consecutive days in the high Adamello.
  • Overnight bases at Rifugio Mandrone and Rifugio Lobbia Alta.
  • Cresta Croce and the First World War positions around the Cannone 149G.
  • A final descent chosen from the routes available at the time.

OVERVIEW

About this trip

Over four days, we cross the high Adamello on skis, moving between glaciers, mountain passes and huts. We meet at Passo del Tonale, use the Presena lifts to gain height and begin the traverse towards Rifugio Mandrone.

From there, we continue onto the glacier towards Cresta Croce and the Cannone 149G, one of the most striking remains of the First World War in the Adamello. Rifugio Mandrone and Rifugio Lobbia Alta provide our bases during this part of the traverse.

As the journey continues, possible objectives include Lares, Dosson di Genova or Adamello itself. The final day is usually built around one of the long descents back towards the valley, with Pisgana or Passo dell’Adamello among the possibilities when conditions allow.

You need previous ski touring experience, confidence skiing off-piste in variable snow and enough fitness for several consecutive days in the mountains. These are full days that combine uphill travel, glacier crossings and long descents, often while carrying everything needed for the traverse.

The route described here gives an idea of how the four days can develop, but the exact itinerary is never completely fixed. Summits, crossings and the final descent may change according to the weather, snowpack and glacier conditions.

ITINERARY

Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Passo Presena to Rifugio Mandrone

    We meet at Passo del Tonale for a briefing and equipment check, then take the cable car to Passo Presena.

    From the pass we ski towards Rifugio Mandrone, using the descent to warm up and settle into the rhythm of the traverse. If time and snow allow, we can add a short tour near the hut before dinner and the first night overlooking the Adamello glacier.

  2. Day 2
    Cresta Croce and the Cannone 149G

    From Rifugio Mandrone, we skin across glacier terrain towards Cresta Croce and the First World War positions around the Cannone 149G.

    We then continue to Rifugio Lobbia Alta for dinner and the night. The hut has a small museum dedicated to the White War and a remarkable outlook over the Adamello massif.

  3. Day 3
    Lares, Dosson di Genova or Adamello

    The third-day objective depends on the weather, glacier conditions and the group. Possibilities include Monte Lares, Dosson di Genova, Adamello or another suitable summit in the range.

    Whichever route we take, this is a full day in broad, high-altitude glacier terrain.

    After the day’s tour, we normally return to Rifugio Lobbia Alta for dinner and a second night there. Any change to the overnight plan is discussed as part of the itinerary.

  4. Day 4
    Pisgana or Passo dell’Adamello descent

    The final descent depends on the snow and glacier conditions. Pisgana and Passo dell'Adamello are among the possibilities. We confirm where the route finishes and arrange any transfer needed to return to the agreed endpoint. Transfer costs are separate.

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements

  • Previous ski touring experience
    Participants should already know how to use skins, manage transitions and move at a steady pace on ski touring terrain.
  • Ability to ski off-piste in variable snow
    You should feel confident on ungroomed terrain (powder, crust, spring snow). We adapt slope choice to conditions and level.
  • Mandatory avalanche safety equipment
    Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are mandatory (can be rented).
  • Fitness for four consecutive days
    You need the endurance for four consecutive mountain days. Some stages involve around 800–1,200 metres of ascent as well as glacier travel, followed by skiing in changing snow.
  • Winter clothing and overnight kit
    Bring appropriate winter mountain clothing, a backpack with room for your touring equipment and hut overnight kit, water and snacks. You will need an overnight kit for the three hut nights. We send the detailed packing list before departure.

GEAR CHECKLIST

Gear list

Required Provided Optional Available to rent

clothing

6
  • 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. Pack warm, breathable layers for four days at altitude; keep spare clothing compact.
  • 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.
  • Ski touring socks
    Required
    Technical ski touring socks suitable for cold conditions. At least one pair required.

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.

hut

1
  • Overnight kit
    Required
    Overnight kit for hut or bivouac nights: sleeping-bag liner (huts) or lightweight sleeping bag (unmanned bivouacs), spare socks, small toiletry kit; see the trip note. Required for all three hut nights, normally Mandrone followed by two nights at Lobbia Alta. Pack a sleeping bag liner, spare socks and base layer, and a small wash kit. Everything travels with you.

personal

7
  • Backpack
    Required Available to rent
    Backpack with a gear-carry option; recommended size varies by trip, see the note. A backpack that carries skis securely, with space for glacier equipment and a light overnight kit.
  • Headlamp / head torch
    Required
    Head torch with fresh batteries, required for early starts, late finishes or hut stays. Required for early starts and the hut stays. Bring fresh batteries or charge it before the trip.
  • 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

6
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Whistle
    Optional
    Emergency whistle, often integrated into backpacks or chest straps. Recommended (often integrated into backpacks).

technical

11
  • 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 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.
  • 120 cm sling or daisy chain
    Provided
    120 cm dyneema sling or daisy chain for glacier travel and rescue.
  • Ice screws
    Provided
    Ice screws for anchors and short roping on technical sections. Provided by the guide when required.
  • Navigation tools
    Provided
    Map, GPS device or smartphone app with offline maps and route information. Guide carries primary navigation tools (map/GPS/offline maps).
  • Screwgate carabiners (x2)
    Provided
    Two locking carabiners for glacier travel and safety systems.
  • Ski repair kit
    Provided
    Basic ski touring repair kit (duct tape, cable ties, multitool). Usually carried by the guide. Basic repair kit carried by the guide (duct tape, cable ties, multitool).

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 four-day traverse.
  • Planning the traverse and reviewing each day's route with the latest snow and weather information.
  • Shared ropes, crevasse-rescue equipment, ice screws and anchors carried by the guide.
  • Daily briefings and an evening review of the plan for the following day.
  • An equipment check before departure and practical guidance throughout the crossing.
  • Hut reservations are coordinated by the guide. Half-board for participants and the guide is charged separately; we explain the expected costs before confirmation.

Not included

  • Personal clothing and other personal items.
  • Personal technical equipment rental, unless specifically included in your quote.
  • Lift tickets and cable cars used at the start or during the traverse (for example Passo Presena lifts).
  • Hut half-board and any other accommodation and meals for clients and guide (Mandrone, Lobbia and any additional huts or hotels).
  • Transport to and from Passo del Tonale / Ponte di Legno and any local transfers or taxis required by the chosen itinerary (for example return transfer after the Pisgana or Passo dell’Adamello descent).
  • Food and drinks during the day (snacks, lunches, bar stops) and any extra expenses not explicitly mentioned as included.
  • Personal travel, health and mountain rescue insurance, including any costs related to rescue, evacuation or early return.
  • 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.