Passo Tonale

A snowHead

Hi all, I've finally got round to booking a trip to Passo Tonale on 13th Jan which was largely based on how cheap it is! my only concern is that the resort is more suited to beginners and, whilst I'm no expert, I do like the odd challenge. I'm looking at booking the Superskirama ski-pass which gives access to all the surrounding areas but would like some advice on how accessible it all is from Passo Tonale and whether it'll be worth the extra cost - thanks in advance - also, as It's just us two blokes going we'd be happy to meet up with any others who'll be there.

A snowHead

@heavysnow, the run down from the glacier won't dissapoint you (it's relentlessly steep) and the lift system is fine for getting around the whole area. Beyond that, great food, better beer and some astonishingly different grappas

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Thanks for the advice @Masque, would you say it's wise to book the full area pass? we're there for the whole week and want to make the most of our time there.

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The pistes above Passo will probably bore you quite quickly as they are mostly cruisey blues, up the glacier is far more challenging and i think i read the drags up there have been replaced with either a chair or gondola. For easily accessed, more exciting terrain, head down to the Ponte De Legno area, all trees and mostly black and red runs.
When we were there 5 years ago the lift pass gave you at least a day in Madonna Di Campiglio. It was about half an hour away by bus and entered you in at either Folgaria or Marilleva ( cannot remember which ! ). Plenty of variety there to make a change in scenery from Passo.
So, i would suggest that if the normal pass gives you at least one day in MDC, that might stretch the enjoyment /variety acceptably. Do not know what areas the Skirama pass covers but think i would get it if i was to go there again to ensure my options were open for variety.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

That's great, thanks @dibble25 - the Superskirama includes unlimited access to the the Madonna di Campiglio areas as opposed to the one day version you had - do you know if you can ski across or must you take the bus in?

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^^^ Sound advice. Passo/Ponte and a day in MDC is fine for a week. Ponte is awesome. You can ski from the very top of the glacier all the way down to Ponte, its a very long and very enjoyable run, although as said, it is relentlessly steep!

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Passo Tonale is liked with Ponte De Legno but MDC requires transport

After all it is free

@heavysnow, Its about 45 minutes or so on the bus if I remember right. I have been twice, the second time we got a cheap hotel for a night in MDC and had 2 days there. A holiday, within a holiday!

There are 3 variants now - Adamello (just Tonale/PdL/Temu); Comb 1 (1 day elsewhere) for c. +€32; and the Superskirama (c €62).

If you go with a tour op they will most likely organise a coach for 1 day.

As above, if you stay on piste you can ski Adamello area comprehensively in 2 or 3 days. I would say there is plenty of off piste opportunity and some very interesting ski routes in a beautiful area (just don't look at the village) - if you were worried about boredom maybe you could spend the time/money on a guide or instructor instead?

When we were there just b4 xmas the blacks were mowed thoroughly and on the easy side (butno ice then), though we enjoyed skiing them repeatedly (especially in Temu/PdL which is much less touristy with 70's lift infrastructure). The run from top to bottom is 1800m and nicely varied. This is the black under (first stage of) the gondola to the top referred above: -

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Thank you all for your advice, I'll hopefully share some good feedback in a couple of weeks...

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There is a free bus which goes everyday from outside Hotel Angelo, it takes 40mins to get to Marileva 900. It's a very easy ski over to Madonna, we have even skied over to Pinzolo from here & got back for the return bus around 4pm.
The tour operators trip isn't free & takes you to Groste bridge as this is more beginner friendly. I've done this trip many times & it's a good day. We have had 3 days in Tonale & 3 days in Madonna.
But make sure you buy your own skipass as the TO can make mistakes and just get you the area pass which only has one day in another resort.
The TO trip is always on a Wednesday, so if you want to go on a different day, you have the option.

@heavysnow,

Thinking of booking a trip to Passo Tonale for December 2022.

Any advice regarding the following would appreciated;

Is it a good resort for early season ?

Hotel Grand Paradiso - Has anyone stayed in the split level rooms for 2-5 people ?

We're a couple with one teenage child so really we need a room with enough proper beds rather than a sofa bed if possible. Usually we stay in apartments and s/c but fancy a change this time.

You know it makes sense.

Hi, I’ve stayed in Passo Tonale on many occasions, it is a small resort, but I like it, great for beginners in Tonale & nice reds between the trees in Ponte Di Legno. You can get a Superskirama pass to enable skiing in Madonna Di Campiglio.The Grand Paradiso hotel is a lovely hotel to stay in, it’s next to the lifts, so a easy start every day, just out of town a little bit.
It had lots of nightclubs when I first visited, but they have now all closed & it has become a family resort with most people staying in the hotels at night time.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Many thanks for the response NG, much appreciated. Very Happy

A snowHead

@Jammy 07, I stayed in Hotel Grand Paradiso about a month ago. None of us had the split levels rooms I'm afraid, but the hotel itself was lovely, and the food and staff were excellent. The rooms were as described on the website.

The Umbrella bar on their terrace had some apres-ski with dance music, but not late. Other bars in the actual town had some music too - including family friendly.

A snowHead

I’d say good for early given price -high pass, glacier(just), good snow making, good s facing area and trees low down if you get snow (paradise) is great for access to low slopes and glacier - easy to beat the rush!

Appts are great in g paradise too (swmbo agrees, even remembers fondly!) - lots of space great view from big windows2 bathrooms big beds fine for 3 grown ups and comfy

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Many thanks for the replies.

Have found one review on TA about the split level rooms and to be honest it wasn't good. Something about very dark and dingy on the mezzanine and having to go out and buy a lamp as reception failed to respond. It would seem there are renovated and non renovated rooms at the Paradiso and the split level rooms have yet to be done.

They have something called a 'Princess Suite' (2bedrooms) which sounds ideal but not available on Crystal and their own website isn't booking that far ahead yet.

Flights to Milan Bergamo seem reasonable and minibus transfer whilst not cheap is ok.

Any further travel tips would be much appreciated.

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Several very nice itinerary runs above Tonale, most of which are accessible for intermediate skiers. At least two off the presena glacier and another couple on the other side of the valley. I've skied the area quite a few times but mostly with school groups later in the season. Not sure how reliable the off-piste is in December but if conditions are good when you visit then worth looking into a half or full day exploring some of those itineraries with a local instructor/guide.....

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Passo Tonale

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