SUNRISE SKIING AND FLOODLIT PISTES

Meanwhile, in San Martino di Castrozza, you can jump in the cab of a Pistenbully snowcat and experience life behind the scenes in a ski resort.

Before sunrise…

It’s a view of the mountains few skiers ever see – with the first light of day illuminating the snowy peaks, and the slopes lying silent and empty. A unique experience that can be enjoyed in Trentino from January through to early April, thanks to the Trentino Ski Sunrise programme.

In resorts across the region, skiers get exclusive early-morning access to ski lifts and ride to the top of some of our most famous and exciting runs. The first stop is at a mountain hut for a hearty breakfast of local delicacies and strong Italian coffee. Then, in the company of local ski instructors, it’s time to hit the pistes, just as the first rays of sunshine kiss 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 are now so popular you can try them midweek as well. And there’s no need to feel left out if you can’t ski. Bring a pair of snowshoes or hiking boots along and, after breakfast, you can enjoy a guided walk through the majestic, snowy silence of the 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 probably get hooked too. Of course, part of the pleasure comes from the novelty. After all, you’ll be whizzing down the side of a mountain when most people are 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 soon all you care about is your speed and the smoothness of your turns. It’s an experience 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 slope, which also 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 centre, 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 the Val di Fiemme, night-skiing is possible at the Lago di Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Centre and on the ‘Olimpia’ run at Cermis.

In the Valsugana, at Passo Brocon, the Funivie Lagorai ski lift facilities offer access to 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 Paganella highlands, skiers can descend the floodlit ‘Cacciatori 1’ run, while the 3km cross-country circuit near the lake is also skiable after sunset.

In San Martino di Castrozza skiers have at their disposal a piste lit by forty “Sunglobe” light balloons, while the illuminated Colverde Snowpark allows freestylers to practise their jumps and tricks by night as well. The same goes for the Ruffré-Mendola runs on Monte Nock, in the Val di Non, and for San Giacomo’s 2km cross-country circuit on the highlands of 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 snow tubing slope and the Moos tobogganing run. Meanwhile, Monte Bondone offers floodlit “Happy Snow” evenings on some of its pistes and at its Snowpark too. The view from the slopes, overlooking the city lights 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 smooth in the morning, and so bumpy and challenging in the afternoon? All will be revealed when you join the Tognola snowcat drivers’ crew in San Martino di Castrozza. For an hour each evening, from 4.30pm onwards, you can take a ride in the cab of a Pistenbully, the powerful tracked vehicle which grooms and 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