Hotel Holiday Inn Dimaro **** Val di Sole, Trentino, Italy

Ski runs, lifts, caroussels, interchangeable lift tickets... but for some this is not enough. Some prefer the silence of peaks and snow-clad valleys to the marked "trails". The mountains surrounding Val di Sole are a real, huge training ground for ski-mountaineering enthusiasts.

Among the numerous possible ski-mountaineering itineraries, the ascent to Cima Venezia (3,290 m. high) across the Vedretta Pass is worth mentioning. This is followed by the "Pisgana descent", a wonderful, 14-km long downhill run, with a 2,000 m vertical drop, that experts esteem as one of Europe's most beautiful descents. The whole itinerary can be completed in one day : take the Passo Tonale lift facilities (cable car, chairlift and drag-lift) from the Pass up to Capanna Presena and to the Bocchetta degli Sciatori (2,980 m), then ski down to the Mandrone alpine hut (2,449 m). This is the starting point of the uphill stretch heading up to the Passo della Valletta (3,191 m. high) ; hence with a last effort you will get up on top of Monte Venezia (3,290 m. high), where the view is magnificent.

And off you go, down thePisgana western hanging glacier, a run whose length, vertical drop and beautiful sceneries contribute to delight ski-mountaineers with unforgettable emotions.

Other classical ascents are those to Mount Cevedale (3,769 m. high), to Cima Presanella (3,558 m. high), Punta San Matteo (3,678 m.), Cima Rossa of Saent (3,347 m.). Remember that care and attention should be your priorities whenever you do ski-mountaineering. This is why you'd better contact the Val di Sole Alpine Guides before starting out on an excursion.

Beside guiding safe ski-mountaineering hikes, Alpine Guides will provide information on technical details, snow conditions, as well as suggested itineraries.