Adamello Ski Mountaineering Traverse

Adamello Ski Mountaineering Traverse

Ski Mountaineering
Difficulty
5 / 10 Moderate
Duration
4 days
Availability
Feb 2026 – May 2026
Group size
max 5 Pax
Guide : Clients
1 : 5
Meeting point
Passo del Tonale (TN). Exact point confirmed with the group.

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

Highlights

  • Four-day guided traverse through the Adamello glacier area and surrounding high-mountain terrain.
  • Classic descent options such as Pisgana or Pisganino, depending on conditions
  • Glacier travel, ridge sections and high alpine terrain
  • Trusted local recommendations for accommodation and equipment rental.

Overview

A four-day ski mountaineering traverse through the Adamello range, travelling across glacier terrain, gentle basins and classic high-mountain lines. This itinerary takes us progressively higher into the heart of the Adamello, with wide open views over the Pian di Neve and the surrounding summits of the Presanella group.


We start by moving across the Mandrone glacier area, a beautiful amphitheatre of ice with a unique perspective on the Adamello massif. The landscape here is wide, open and surprisingly quiet, with a real sense of entering a different world. The Mandrone mountain hut offers warm hospitality and one of the most impressive views over the glacier at sunset.


On the second day we reach the historic Cresta Croce area, where a First World War military outpost still remains in place, including the famous Cannone 149G. The Rifugio Lobbia – perched above the glacier – even preserves a small museum dedicated to the Great War in the Adamello, making the overnight stop both scenic and culturally fascinating. In good weather, sunrise at Lobbia is a highlight in itself: huge views, quiet light and the immensity of the glacier below our feet.


The final days give us several classic options depending on conditions – from Lares and Dosson di Genova to the Adamello area itself – before finishing with a long descent back towards the valley. Pisgana is one of the most famous lines in the Alps, but if conditions allow we can also descend via Passo dell’Adamello, an equally scenic and elegant variant with unforgettable snow when it lines up.


This traverse is designed as a guided, progressive and enjoyable ski mountaineering journey. We take our time, adapt the plan each day according to weather and avalanche conditions, and keep the pace steady. It is not a race: the goal is to experience the Adamello in a calm, thoughtful and memorable way – with good company, warm food in the huts and the unique atmosphere of a true high-alpine crossing.

Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Passo Presena to Rifugio Mandrone (briefing, gear check & warm-up)

    We meet in the morning at Passo del Tonale, take the time for a proper gear check and a short briefing, and then use the cable car to reach Passo Presena.


    From there we ski down towards Rifugio Mandrone, using the descent as a warm-up and to settle into the rhythm of the trip.


    Once at the hut, depending on time and snow conditions, we may either relax or head out for a short tour in the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at Rifugio Mandrone, with impressive views over the Adamello glacier.

  2. Day 2
    Cresta Croce / Cannone 149G

    From Mandrone we skin up on gentle glaciated terrain towards Cresta Croce, reaching the historic First World War military positions and the famous Cannone 149G. It’s a unique place, where ski mountaineering and mountain history come together in a very tangible way.


    From here we continue towards Rifugio Lobbia Alta for dinner and overnight. The hut hosts a small WWI museum and offers a remarkable viewpoint over the Adamello massif—sunsets here are often memorable.

  3. Day 3
    Lares, Dosson di Genova or Adamello options

    Depending on weather, conditions and the group, we choose the most suitable objective for the day. Possible ascents include Monte Lares, Dosson di Genova, or another classic Adamello line if conditions allow.


    Expect a true high-mountain environment, with wide glaciated sections and a full day immersed in classic ski mountaineering terrain.

  4. Day 4
    Pisgana descent or Passo dell’Adamello variant

    A long and scenic descent brings us back towards Ponte di Legno. The Pisgana Glacier is the classic option here: wide, flowing and very satisfying on skis. When conditions allow, the descent via Passo dell’Adamello is an excellent alternative—quieter, elegant and just as panoramic.


    If we choose the Passo dell’Adamello option, a local transfer will take us back to Ponte di Legno or Passo del Tonale at the end of the tour.

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.
  • Good fitness for consecutive alpine days
    Typical days involve 800–1200m ascent, plus glacier travel sections. We move steadily, not fast, but endurance is needed.
  • Mandatory avalanche safety equipment
    Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are mandatory (can be rented).
  • Winter mountaineering clothing & personal equipment
    Participants must bring appropriate winter clothing (layers, gloves, goggles, shell), a daypack 25–35 L, water/thermos and snacks. A full equipment list is provided on booking and adapted depending on the chosen objectives.

Gear checklist

clothing

  • Gloves & hat
    Required
    Light gloves, warm gloves or mittens, wool hat / buff.
  • Insulated jacket
    Required
    Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic) for stops, summits and emergency situations.
  • Shell jacket & pants
    Required
    Waterproof / windproof jacket and overpants (Gore-Tex or similar).
  • Ski clothing – layers
    Required
    Breathable base layers, fleece or light insulating jacket, ski touring pants.
  • Ski touring socks
    Required
    Technical ski touring socks suitable for cold conditions. At least one pair required.

glacier

  • Harness
    Required Rentable
    Light harness for glacier travel or short roped sections.
  • 120 cm sling or daisy chain
    Provided
    120 cm dyneema sling or daisy chain for glacier travel and rescue.
  • Screwgate carabiners (x2)
    Provided
    Two locking carabiners for glacier travel and safety systems.

hut

  • Hut overnight kit
    Optional
    Sleeping bag liner, head torch, spare socks, small toiletry kit (if hut is planned).
    Only required if a hut overnight stay is included in the final program.

personal

  • Backpack 25–35 L
    Required Rentable
    Ski touring backpack, 25–35 litres, with ski carry option.
  • Headlamp / head torch
    Required
    Head torch with fresh batteries, required for early starts, late finishes or hut stays.
    Required for early starts / hut logistics.
  • 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.
  • Sun protection
    Required
    High SPF sunscreen and lip balm for protection against sun and wind at altitude.
  • Sunglasses & goggles
    Required
    Category 3–4 sunglasses and ski goggles for bad weather.
  • 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

  • Avalanche transceiver / beacon (ARTVA)
    Required Rentable
    Modern 3-antenna transceiver/beacon with fresh batteries.
  • Helmet
    Required
    Ski / mountaineering helmet.
    Personal helmet required (ski or ski mountaineering).
  • Probe
    Required Rentable
    Avalanche probe (240–300 cm).
  • Shovel
    Required Rentable
    Metal avalanche shovel (no plastic models).
  • Emergency bivy
    Provided
    Lightweight emergency bivy or thermal blanket for unexpected stops or emergencies.
    Guide carries an emergency bivy/thermal blanket.
  • Navigation tools
    Provided
    Map, GPS device or smartphone app with offline maps and route information.
    Guide carries primary navigation tools (map/GPS/offline maps).
  • Whistle
    Optional
    Emergency whistle, often integrated into backpacks or chest straps.
    Recommended (often integrated into backpacks).

technical

  • Climbing skins
    Required Rentable
    Skins cut to size and in good condition, with reliable glue.
  • Poles
    Required Rentable
    Adjustable ski poles for touring.
  • Ski crampons
    Required Rentable
    Ski crampons compatible with your bindings, for hard or icy snow.
  • Ski touring boots
    Required Rentable
    Ski touring boots compatible with bindings and crampons if needed.
  • Ski touring skis
    Required Rentable
    Touring skis suitable for ski mountaineering, with touring bindings.
  • Ice screws
    Provided
    Ice screws for anchors and short roping on technical sections. Provided by the guide when required.
  • 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).
  • Boot crampons
    Optional Rentable
    Crampons compatible with your boots (if conditions require).
  • Ice axe
    Optional Rentable
    Lightweight ice axe for ski mountaineering (if conditions require).
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 four-day traverse.
  • Planning of the traverse and day-to-day route choices (Mandrone, Lobbia, Pisgana / Passo dell’Adamello, etc.) based on weather, snowpack and group level.
  • Use of shared technical and safety gear carried by the guide where required (rope, basic glacier and crevasse-rescue equipment, ice screws and anchors).
  • Daily briefings and evening checks on route options, weather and avalanche conditions for the following day.
  • Support with equipment check before departure and practical tips on ski mountaineering technique and risk awareness during the trip.
  • Coordination of hut reservations along the traverse (Mandrone, Lobbia and other huts if used); overnight costs are paid directly to the huts by participants and guide.

Not included

  • Personal ski mountaineering equipment and clothing (skis, boots, skins, poles, harness, helmet, backpack, etc.).
  • Avalanche safety kit for each participant (transceiver, shovel, probe) and any rental costs, unless explicitly arranged in advance.
  • 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.