On 2 April the Marathon ski mountaineering at altitude
Adamello, a name known to all ski-mountaineers; Pian di Neve, among the largest glaciers of the Italian Alps; Ponte di Legno-Tonale, famous destination in the Alps. These are the surroundings of the Adamello Ski Raid, an international ski-touring race in teams made up of 2 people.
The race, organized by Adamello Ski Team, is more than 40km long with a vertical drop of 4,000 meters uphill and 4380 meters downhill. It is a leg of the prestigious circuits of La Grande Course and the Dolomites Cup. In its sixth edition, it has always seen the participation of the greatest international athletes of ski mountaineering.
The racecourse is remarkable: located in the middle of an extensive protected area divided by the Stelvio National Park, by Adamello and Adamello-Brenta, has significant natural and historical peculiarities related to the First World War. On those peaks, some of the most heroic pages of our history have been written. After the war, the Adamello glacier became the ideal setting for the practice of ski touring and mountaineering in general.
The racecourse passes through the main mountain huts of the area: the hut “Città di Trento” on Mandrone, the hut “Ai Caduti” of Adamello on the Passo della Lobbia Alta. From an altitude of 1,600 just above the town of Ponte di Legno, the course goes up to 3,069 meters of Cima Presena, then back down to Mandrone Lake (2,493 m) and goes up again gradually reaching the hut “Lobbia Alta”, the cannon of Cresta Croce and, after crossing Pian di Neve, finally conquers the Adamello (3,539 m). From there, after passing Passo degli Italiani, on Corno Bianco, it proceeds to Passo Venezia at 3,300 m and descends along the Pisgana until Ponte di Legno.
The Adamello Ski Raid, which is always held in odd years, is scheduled for Sunday, April 2, 2017. This year, the Presena Glacier at 3,000 meters above sea level will be the setup of 'The Adamello Ski Raid Stadium'. The first ski mountaineering stadium dedicated to all the fans who want to admire the athletes from an incredibly privileged position, taking advantage of the new gondola of the Presena Glacier - open 5.00 to 7.00 with free access from Passo Tonale.