Million-Skier Milestone: Pontedilegno-Tonale Shatters Records, Unveils Futuristic Future

The Pontedilegno-Tonale ski area has officially closed a winter season for the history books. As the lifts stopped spinning on May 3rd, officials confirmed a staggering milestone: nearly one million skiers hit the slopes this year, marking one of the most successful chapters in the resort’s history.

The season was bolstered by a 3% increase in first-time visitors, driven by a powerful combination of favorable weather, a surge of Italian holiday-makers, and a steady stream of tourists from Northern Europe. But for the management team, the record-breaking numbers are just the baseline for an ambitious new era of expansion.

The 2026/2027 Transformation: Faster, Higher, Better

With the record season providing significant momentum, the resort has unveiled a massive investment plan for the 2026/2027 winter season. The goal is simple: halve travel times and double the comfort.

1. The Corno d’Aola Revolution

In Ponte di Legno, the aging Corno d’Aola chairlift and Angelo ski lift will be retired to make way for a state-of-the-art 10-passenger Leitner gondola.

• The Impact: Ascent times from Valbione to Corno d'Aola will drop from 15 minutes to just 6.5 minutes.

• The Vision: Designed by renowned architect Peter Pichler, the project includes an intermediate station and lays the groundwork for a futuristic panoramic mountain hut at 2,120 meters.

2. Upgrades at Passo Tonale and Presena

The modernization extends across the entire domain:

• Valbiolo Gondola: At Passo Tonale, the Valbiolo chairlift is being replaced by a modern gondola with a massive capacity of 3,200 people per hour, terminating at the Malga Valbiolo hut.

• Paradiso "Panorama" Cabins: The gateway to the Presena Glacier is getting a facelift. The iconic red cabins of the Paradiso lift will be replaced with new panoramic 10-seat cabins featuring internal ski racks and sleek, modern designs.

Engineering the Perfect Slope

Beyond the lifts, the resort is doubling down on technical infrastructure to guarantee early-season skiing:

Enhanced Snowmaking: Major efficiency upgrades are underway for the Giuliana, Paradiso, and Bleis slopes, ensuring the resort can open timely regardless of natural snowfall.

Skywalk 2585: Construction continues on the highly anticipated Skywalk panoramic platform. Located at an altitude of 2,585 meters, this glass-bottomed walkway will offer 360° views of the Adamello-Presanella Alps upon its completion in 2027.

“This investment plan aims to make the ski area increasingly efficient, accessible, and attractive in all seasons,” resort officials stated. “We aren’t just building lifts; we’re building the future of mountain hospitality.”

At an altitude of between 1,121 and 3,000 metres above sea level the slopes in the Ski Area allow all skiing enthusiasts to learn new techniques and challenge themselves to ensure days of pure fun for both experts and beginners.

The different characteristic of the nature and landscape between Passo Tonale, the Presena Glacier, Ponte di Legno and Temù are a joy to discover on skis and on foot!

The Ponte di Legno and Temù ski areas have slopes that pass through pine and spruce forests and sudden panoramic views. The slopes in the Tonale ski area pass through open fields among wide snowy spaces that are bordered only by mountains; the tracks that descend the Presena Glacier are set between mountain rocks and breath-taking views.

These four ski areas are linked together with 46 slopes, 30 ski lifts and an efficient free ski bus service.

There’s not only skiing: in the Pontedilegno-Tonale ski area, there are lots of fun things for skiers and non-skiers, adults and children, sports enthusiasts and holiday-makers looking for sun and relaxation to do even in the middle of winter: après-ski for an aperitif after skiing, health spas on the peaks and snow parks for children to have fun in.