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- Written by: Tristan Kennedy
Sponsored by PontediLegno-Tonale
The high-altitude ski area of PontediLegno-Tonale, which links the villages of Passo Tonale and Ponte di Legno, is often one of the first in Italy to open its lifts. This year is no exception. Temperatures in the region have been cold and wet recently, there’s been fresh snow on the glacier at 3,000m, and the cables and pulleys are all set to start turning on Saturday November 28th.
What’s different about the 2026-27 winter season, however, is that several of these lifts are brand new: the result of multi-million euro improvements, designed to make access to some of Italy’s highest and best slopes even easier than before.
"There's fresh snow on the glacier, and the lifts are set to start turning on November 28th"
Passo Tonale, the higher of the two villages, at 1,800m, will see two significant changes. The first is the replacement of the old Valbiolo chairlift with a brand new 10-person gondola. This lift carries skiers up to the Malga Valbiolo restaurant on the sunny side of the resort, and is perennially popular as it opens up a whole different area of the mountain—including the brilliantly-named “Smuggler’s Pass” (Passo Contrabbandieri).
As well as increasing the capacity of the lift from 2,000 skiers per hour to 3,200, the new gondola, built by the Italian company Leitner at a cost of €18 million, will move the arrival station closer to the mountain restaurant—a favourite gathering point for lunch and après.
Easier Glacier Access
The other big change in Passo Tonale will be on the north-facing side of the ski area. This is where the resort’s most challenging slopes descend from the 3,000m-high pass at the top of the Presena glacier. For the past 21 years, this sector has been accessed by a gondola lift whose red, egg-shaped cabins have become iconic. Unfortunately, they’ve started to show their age, and so they’re being replaced, marking the end of an era for the resort.
The new cabins will have a square design, accommodate 10 seated passengers and feature internal ski racks. The lift underwent a complete overhaul last year, so starts the 2026/2027 season fully refurbished.
21st Century Revamp
Perhaps the biggest change, however, is down in the Ponte di Legno sector of the combined ski area. As the older of the two villages, Ponte di Legno has been a popular ski spot for over a century. It was mentioned by the Touring Club of Italy as the country’s “premiere winter sports destination” as far back as 1912. The latest lift project will bring it bang up to date for the 21st Century.
The old Corno d’Aola chairlift and Angelo drag lift will be replaced by a single new gondola lift. Also built by Leitner, the €22 million new lift will feature 10-person cabins, and although it will follow the same route as the two existing lifts, it will cut slash the current 15 minute journey time to the top in half. As well as the top station at 2,120m, there’s a new mid station planned at 1,920m, both designed by the South Tyrolean architect Peter Pichler.
His vision includes a futuristic mountain refuge at the top, offering 360 degree views over the surrounding peaks.
While the lift opens this winter, the refuge won’t be ready until the 2027-28 winter season. At which point it will undoubtedly become a major year-round tourist attraction—making PontediLegno-Tonale not just one of Italy’s premier winter sports’ destinations, but a great place to come for summer holidays too.
