 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello any views on this area appreciated…looking to go end Feb for off piste skiing / touring.
Also it looks rather challenging to get there from either Milan Malpensa or Bergamo without hiring a car? Any shared transfers available?
Thanks in advance
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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From the sticky "Public transport & shared transfer info" thread: FLYSKI Shuttle operate shared transfers from both Malpensa and Bergamo. If you are able to hire a car though, it'll probably save money as car hire is cheap in Italy during winter.
As for the ski area - it has some nice parts though it's not massive. Slopes directly above Passo Tonale are mostly a bit dull, though the bits at either end and from the glacier are better. Ponte di Legno's slopes are decent, with quite a few steep runs. Snow should be good at the end of February. Lift pass savings to be had when bought in advance. I haven't been off piste but I believe there are some famous-ish routes from the top of the glacier gondola.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks! Looks like only one transfer a day and times do t suit my flights. I guess it would have to be a car
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Not visited myself, but a couple of my ski buddies have. Neither appear too bothered about going back. Small, dull and a bit bleak appears to be the general consensus.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 10-09-23 15:43; edited 2 times in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It seems to have a good reputation for off piste. The SCGB runs off-piste holidays there.
From an on piste perspective, Passo Tonale is bleak and fairly horrid when the weather closes in. The tree-lined pistes at the Ponte di Legno end seemed nice when we popped across there on a day trip from Madonna di Campiglio.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@brownie, There have been quite a few threads on this resort which may halp you. Try searching for "Tonale" in the advanced search - title only.
It seems to be a bit of a marmite resort. I have been once and wouldn't go back. But there are a number of strong supporters. I would say it's quite down-market - so ok if budget is a major factor. It's close to the top of a fairly high pass and so, as has been said, can be quite bleak if the weather turns bad. My week was off-piste and I felt there was not enough terrain as compared to other resorts, for a good week off-piste (i.e. we did quite a lot of repetition). However, that may be just that you need to be a higher standard!
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I did a week in PT/PdL. Flew into Bergamo and rented a car. We stayed in an apartment in Ponte di Legno. A nice drive with the last few Kms on mountain hairpins.
Passo Tonale is a good beginner/intermediate place. Lots of modern, fast, lifts in a row, all above the tree line. Keeps snow well.
Gondola links Tonale and Ponte di Legno. The skiing in Ponte is thru trees, steeper and more interesting. I would say upper intermediate. Ponte is a nice, busy Italian town. Proper shops, restaurants etc. More geared to Italian visitors.
And there is also the glacier.
We enjoyed, but it was a quiet family holiday, on good snow, with modern lifts and a good price. A gang of lads may not enjoy to sedate night life.
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Thanks for all the advice. Actually it’s the SkiClub Freshtracks week I was looking at for this. I’ll be on my own that week, hence wanting to join a guided group. My plan B was the skiers lodge in La Grave that I know well and love…but fancied trying somewhere new.
Given the slight challenges of getting to Tonale and lack of enthusiasm here for it I’m te,pied to go back to La Grave
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@brownie, can't advise on Ponte di Legno but please do us a favour and correct the spelling. If you do go there, look up the interesting (and harrowing) story of the First World War doings there.
Pronounced (roughly) Lennyo
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@brownie, My trip was a Freshtracks one but maybe silver/purple rather than the purple/gold one you are looking at. We stayed in Passo rather than Ponte and our hotel was v poor but I think the Ponte one has a better reputation. So maybe it might work for you as you are likely to be accessing more challenging terrain than we were capable of. I think there is a big difference between the feel of the two towns
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| DCG wrote: |
| @brownie, My trip was a Freshtracks one but maybe silver/purple rather than the purple/gold one you are looking at. We stayed in Passo rather than Ponte and our hotel was v poor but I think the Ponte one has a better reputation. So maybe it might work for you as you are likely to be accessing more challenging terrain than we were capable of. I think there is a big difference between the feel of the two towns |
Very helpful thanks. I am veering towards saving the area for a less cost committed trip with friends
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| pam w wrote: |
| @brownie, can't advise on Ponte di Legno but please do us a favour and correct the spelling. |
Let me think about that…..nah, I’ll leave it as it is thanks
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Yes, on the subject of the resorts / towns, Passo Tonale is a bit of a dump (as @DCG mentions). Ponte di Legno is a nice town with lots of facilities, big supermarket etc.
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You know it makes sense.
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@brownie, Went once many years ago, not been back. Small ski area, +1 for Tonale "bit of a dump", PdL seemed nice, rapidly forgettable. 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@brownie, I take it that the transfers provided by Freshtracks aren't convenient for you. I can imagine that it would be a pain getting there independently
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Poster: A snowHead
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| brownie wrote: |
| pam w wrote: |
| @brownie, can't advise on Ponte di Legno but please do us a favour and correct the spelling. |
Let me think about that…..nah, I’ll leave it as it is thanks |
Actually, Passo Toenail is absolutely the perfect resort for you. Get it booked asap and don't consider ever skiing anywhere else. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| DCG wrote: |
| @brownie, I take it that the transfers provided by Freshtracks aren't convenient for you. I can imagine that it would be a pain getting there independently |
Yeah they fly to Linate from Heathrow and I’m in Scotland, flights from here goto the other Milan airports.
Given the hassle to get there and comments above I booked for La Grave this morning.
Thx for the advice
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| brownie wrote: |
Given the hassle to get there and comments above I booked for La Grave this morning.
Thx for the advice |
There are two places which rarely turn up in the same conversation!! 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Try Findtransfers.com. I've got a quote of 420eur, return from BGY to PDL for x4 pax. Hire car was going to be 300eur, but once you factor in fuel/faff etc seems like a bargain to me.
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