SUNRISE SKIING AND FLOODLIT PISTES

Before sunrise…

It’s a view of the mountains few skiers ever see – with the first light of day colouring the snowy peaks, and the slopes hushed and empty. And it’s on offer in Trentino from January to early April, thanks to the Trentino Ski Sunrise programme.

In resorts across the region, skiers get exclusive early-morning access to key lifts, and ride to the top of some of our most famous and exciting runs. The first stop is always at a mountain hut, where they gorge themselves on a sweet and savoury breakfast of local delicacies and strong Italian coffee. Then, in the company of local ski instructors, it’s time to attack the pistes, just as the first rays of sunshine are kissing the freshly-groomed snow. The combination of golden light, mountain scenery, and uncrowded slopes is intoxicating.

Trentino Ski Sunrise tours used to be limited to Saturdays, but they’re now so popular you can try them midweek as well. There’s no need to feel left out if you can’t ski, by the way. Bring a pair of snowshoes or hiking boots and, after breakfast, you can enjoy a guided walk through the majestic, snowy silence of an early morning.

…And after sunset

Night skiing is also widely available in our resorts. It’s a madly popular activity with the locals – and once you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked too. Yes, part of the pleasure comes from the novelty. After all, you’re whizzing down the side of a mountain when half the resort is already tucked up in bed. But then a different sensation takes over. Skiing by floodlight shuts out all the usual distractions. All you can see is the snow in front of you, and pretty soon all you care about is your speed and the smoothness of your turns. It’s a moment of all-consuming focus.

The first ski resort in Trentino to offer night-skiing was Madonna di Campiglio - on the steep and thrilling 3-Tre piste, which hosts a famous World Cup slalom race just before Christmas. Also in Val Rendena, cross-country skiers will enjoy the floodlit 3km circuit at the Pinzolo-Carisolo center, while downhillers will love the Bolbeno run, thanks to recently-installed lights that illuminate the entire slope.

Another popular night-skiing destination is the Val di Sole. At Marilleva  the ‘Biancaneve’ run is floodlit, as is the ‘Nera’ in Folgarida, the ‘Valena’ at Passo del Tonale, and the ‘Mezoli’ at Peio. In Val di Fiemme, night-skiing is possible at the Lago di Tesero cross-country skiing center and on the ‘Olimpia’ run at Cermis.

In Valsugana, at Passo Brocon, the Funivie Lagorai lift system offers three illuminated runs: the ski school’s nursery slope for youngsters, as well as the more advanced ‘Piloni’ and ‘Bosco’ pistes. In Andalo, on the Altopiano della Paganella, skiers can descend the floodlit ‘Cacciatori 1’ run, while the 3km cross-country circuit near the lake is also skiable after sunset.

At San Martino di Castrozza skiers have at their disposal a piste lit by forty Sunglobes, while the illuminated Colverde Snowpark allows freestylers to practice their jumps and tricks by night, too. The same goes for the Ruffré-Mendola runs on Mount Nock, in Val di Non, and for San Giacomo’s 2km cross-country circuit on the Altopiano di Brentonico.

It’s not only skiers who can enjoy the slopes at night. On the Alpe Cimbra, nighttime fun is on offer on both the tubing piste and the Moos tobogganing run. Meanwhile, Monte Bondone offers floodlit Happy Snow evenings on some of its pistes and also at its Snowpark. The view from the slopes, straight down onto the streets of Trento, adds an extra touch of magic to the experience.

Discover the secrets of our beautifully-groomed snow

Have you ever wondered why pistes are so easy to ski in the morning, and so bumpy and challenging in the afternoon? All will be revealed when you join the Tognola snowcat drivers’ team at San Martino di Castrozza. For an hour each evening, from 4.30pm, you’ll ride in the cab of a Pistenbully, the powerful and sure-footed machine which flattens the snow and produces the smooth, confidence-boosting surface we all know and love as corduroy. You’ll never take a piste for granted again.

Info: visittrentino.info/trentino-ski-sunrise - visittrentino.info/let-s-dolomites