Pontedilegno Tonale Ski Resort Italy

Tonale ski resort extends from deep valley to alpine glacier in Lombardy, Italy. Known previously as 'Adamello Ski' and more recently as Pontedilegno-Tonale, Tonale consists of 3 base villages, modern lifts, the Presena glacier, a huge skiable vertical & an extensive 100km of on-piste trails for all abilities plus freeride adventure for advanced skiers & boarders.

Tonale ski resort includes the village of Temù and the large town of Ponte di Legno in the valley, plus a purpose-built resort base high on the range at Passo del Tonale.

Pros & Cons for Tonale Ski Resort

Pros

• Snow sure ski destination with a long season, generally from late October to early May.
• Exceptional novice, beginner & lower intermediate terrain, lifts & facilities.
• Extensive range of intermediate & advanced on-piste trails.
• Features nearly 1,900m skiable vertical, a glacier & longest run of 11km.
• Modern & efficient lift infrastructure.
• Interesting freeride terrain, particularly if adventurous.
• Excellent value lift pass.
• ’Ski in’ accommodation available.
• Easy access by car.
• Villages of Ponte di Legno & Temù are delightful.

Cons

• Tonale alpine village is windswept, cold & a little dated.
• Public transport connections to the resort are not simple.
• Return trail from Tonale to Ponte di Legno gets busy & dangerous near the end of the day.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

• Close to Milan.
• Extremely popular with school groups.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Pontedilegno Tonale ski resort has a full gamut of ski terrain ranging from deep in the valley forests at Temù (1,121m elevation) up to the alpine area at Passo del Tonale (1,880m) and then another 1,120m vertical further up onto the glaciers at 3,000m elevation. The resort has 4 interconnected sectors (Presena Glacier, Tonale Pass, Pontedilegno & Temu), each with its owns character, strengths & weaknesses. Of the 100km of trails extending throughout the resort, 60km are rated for intermediate abilities.

Check out the ski trail map for Tonale below.

Pontedilegno Tonale Ski Trail Map

At Passo del Tonale the lift infrastructure for beginner skiers & snowboarders is impressive. Seven chairlifts & numerous surface conveyors extend from the resort village, which is at a snow sure elevation of 1,880m. The high number of school groups on these beginner slopes highlights how good the infrastructure, snow surety & terrain is for novices.

On the opposite side of the road, gondolas extend to the top of the Presena Glacier, opening up loads of high altitude freeride & on-piste terrain. Early season turns (in October/November) tend to be limited to the upper mountain runs on the Presena glacier. Once the season is fully underway it is possible to ski an 11km descent from glacier to valley.

Freeriders will enjoy the big mountain off-piste terrain available from the upper lifts on & around Presena Glacier. The 1,100m vertical Cantiere freeride descent and its interesting tunnel exit to get back to Passo Tonale are easily accessed from the highest lifted point at 3,000m (ish). Other descents including the tougher Canale del Diavolo are accessed from Passo Paradiso at 2,585m. Some delightful open glade skiing on a powder day can be done on the opposite side of the valley under the Nigritella chair.

In poor weather, the lower slopes near Temù & Ponte di Legno are sheltered and accessible from Passo del Tonale by ski trail or gondola download.

Lift Passes

In addition to having its own well-priced local daily ski lift pass, the Ponte di Legno - Passo Tonale resort is part of the Skirama Dolomiti Ski Region and shares a multi-day lift pass with 7 other ski areas including: Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo, Folgarida-Marilleva, Pejo3000, Paganella Ski, Monte Bondone, & Alpe Cimbra: Folgaria-Lavarone.

Further, holders of a Vail Resorts Epic Pass (Epic Pass, Epic Adaptive, Epic Australia Pass, Epic Adaptive Australia Pass Holders, & Vail Resorts lifetime Pass Holders) receive seven complimentary, unrestricted and consecutive days, in total, of skiing and riding at Skirama Dolomiti ski areas. Upon redemption of all seven days, Epic Pass Holders can then purchase discounted lift tickets at 50% off the window price. Epic Pass Holders must present their valid season pass card and photo ID at any Skirama Dolomiti ticket office where you will be issued a magnetic key card upon validation and receipt of a €5.00 refundable deposit per card. The deposit is refunded when the key card is returned in good condition. Pawesome!

Where is Pontedilegno-Tonale Italy?

Located in the Italian Alps of northern Italy, a contributor to Tonale ski resort's superb lift infrastructure & facilities is its proximity to Milan, only 160km away. The drive from central Milan is a mere 2½hr via Bergamo & Edolo and doesn't involve high alpine passes if staying in Temù or Ponte di Legno.

The gateway international airport is Milan Malpensa (MXP). Visitors from within Europe or the UK could utilise either of the other two Milan airports, Milan Linate or even better the Milan Bergamo (a.k.a. Orio Al Serio) airport. Milan Bergamo is less than a 2hr drive to Tonale.

Search & book here for all private transfers from the airport to Pontedilegno - Tonale.

If interested in POW (Protect Our Winters), a combination of trains & public buses make the journey to Tonale, but it involves several connections. From the west the train journey from Milan is via Brescia to Edolo, then bus to Ponte di Legno. From the east, trains to Trento (Dolomites) link to the local train to Male or Mezzana (near Madonna di Campiglio) where the route B646 bus to Tonale can be joined.

Driving a rental car is far & away the most efficient way to get to Pontedilegno-Tonale. If day-tripping from a nearby village, note that parking is plentiful in convenient locations around Passo Tonale & free of charge.

Ponte di Legno & Tonale Accommodation

The ski resort comprises three major village areas: Tonale (Passo del Tonale), Ponte di Legno & Temù.

The highest village in the resort is Tonale at an elevation of around 1,880m. A wide range of hotel, apartment & guesthouse options line the road beyond the ski lifts, several offering ski-in ski-out convenience. Tonale village has all the necessary services assailable & provides direct access the best alpine terrain. It is however incredibly exposed to poor weather & has an almost tired feel to it.

Search & book here for all Tonale ski accommodation.

Next, down from the Passo del Tonale to the west in the Val Camonica, is the major town of Ponte di Legno. Literally translated to "Wooden Bridge", Ponte di Legno is central to the ski resort, but low in the valley at 1,256m elevation. It has a delightful centre with an iconic wooden bridge! The ski lift base is a short walk or bus ride from the heart of town, from where one can access the high alpine via the gondola to Tonale or the best pistes toward Temù.

Further along the valley, Temù is the western terminus of the ski resort. The colourful traditional village is stacked up the hillside on sunny stone terraces above the ski lift base at a tenuously low 1,155m elevation. Whilst some accommodations are a short walk from the lifts, the town is far enough away to warrant motorised transport. Temù is the quietest of all the villages.

If truly struggling for accommodation near the ski lifts, there are affordable 'off mountain options aplenty nearby. To the west, the larger town of Edolo is 15km further west of Temù. Edolo has a train station linking it to Brescia & Milan. A regular bus links Edolo to Ponte di Legno.

in the opposite direction down toward Val di Sole, villages like Fraviano & Ossana plus numerous others provide a multitude of lodging options. On the road between Passo Tonale & Fraviano, for a uniques 5-star experience, try the Hotel Chalet Al Foos. A little further in Fraviano, the Al Foss is juxtaposed against the down to earth, affordable, & still superb Albergo Alpino.

Ski Rentals, Lessons & Guiding

Ski rentals are available throughout the ski resort via our local partners. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Pontedilegno-Tonale Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Get more info & Search, compare & book ski or snowboard instruction & mountain guiding via our Tonale Lessons & Guiding page.

Nearby Ski Resorts

Tonale is surrounded by several excellent ski areas, ranging from the obscure (Aprica, Pejo (Peio), Folgarida-Marilleva) to the legendary Madonna di Campiglio. All have their merits & are worth including in any holiday itinerary to the region.

Reviews

The Powderhounds first visited Pontedilegno-Tonale in 2018 & most recently returned in March 2024. We rate it as one of the best 'easy-access', big mountain powder ski resorts in Italy. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.

See how Tonale compares to the rest of the Italian ski resorts on the Italy ski resort ratings page or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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