Lake Lases and the buse del giaz

<p>A route around Lake Lases and up to the Val Fredda, with its curious phenomenon of "ice holes"</p>

<p>Lake Lases is a small alpine lake formed by a moraine dam, that is, by rocky debris transported by glaciers. It is not only a particularly scenic body of water but also a protected site as a provincial biotope due to the uniqueness of the habitat created along its shores, rich in dense reed beds that serve as refuge and breeding grounds for numerous animal species. Lake Lases impresses with its crystal-clear color and the transparency of its waters, which are rich in fish and particularly appreciated by anglers who can find an abundance of whitefish, pike, and perch here.</p> <p>Our route does not just follow the lake's edge but leads us to discover a fascinating and curious place: Val Fredda, a small valley named after the presence in the valley floor of many "ice holes" (buse del giaz) that create a cold microclimate very similar to that found in high mountains, even in the middle of summer. The phenomenon is caused by large air circulations within a large mass of debris (natural) on the mountain slopes. Through this movement, the air cools down and escapes from the base of large and small holes that can preserve ice inside all year round. Not surprisingly, up until the first post-war period, the buse del giaz were used as natural refrigerators.</p>