Ortler-Cevedale Glacier Ski Touring Traverse

Arrive in Bormio / Worms im Veltlintal on your own (private transfer available on request) and check into your hotel. Located in the Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy, Bormio is a popular winter sports resort. It was the site of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 1985 and 2005, annually hosts the Alpine Ski World Cup, and will be one of the Olympic venues when Italy hosts the Winter Games in 2026. For centuries, Bormio has been a tourist hot spot, with guests flocking to its thermal hot springs since the time of the Romans. It is the perfect place to soak away the stress of travel in preparation for your trip!

In the morning, take a short private transfer to Rifugio Forni (2,000m / 6,560') where you will leave your belongings for the day (you will return to collect them in the afternoon).

Today’s ski tour will take you to the summit of Monte Dei Forni (3,243m / 10,637').
From Rifugio Forni we’ll follow an easy mule track on two steep hairpins that lead to flatter grounds and on to a wooden hut. We’ll enter the Cedec Valley and ascend to the north along the ridge, reaching the highest point of today (3,054m / 10,020’), our first ascent accomplished! Admire the breathtaking scenery and get ready for the exciting descent in powder. The slopes below the iconic Grand Zebrù / Koenig Spitze (3,857m / 12,650') offer fun skiing all the way back to the hut.
(3-4 hours ski touring, 1,100m / 3,608' ascent and descent. Several alternative options are available depending on weather and skiing ability of your group.)

Today’s ski tour unfolds on the southern slopes of the Gran Zebrù Gran Zebrù (3,857m / 12,650’), to the Cima Delle Pale Rosse (3,419m / 11,214'), a peak set just in front of the South face of the majestic. This is a relatively easy excursion, offering fascinating views of Val Zebrù, with its hidden corners and idyllic scenery. 

Today we will cross from Alta Valtellina (Lombardy) into Val Martello (Alto Adige). There are several options today, both with spectacular views over Val Cedec and Val di Solda. Your guide will suggest the most suitable route according to weather forecast and suitability.
In the morning you'll skin up to Rifugio Casati (3,269m / 10,722') and traverse into Val Martello, with the option of summiting Cima Solda (3,376m / 11,073'). The remarkable descent in powder snow will not disappoint! A final 200-meter (656') ascent will take you to your rifugio (2,610m / 8,560') for tonight. (2-4 hours ski touring, 800m / 2,624' ascent, 913m / 2,994' descent.)

Today is probably the highlight of our trip and the highest summit. Monte Cevedale (3,769m / 12,362') is the third highest peak in the range, and is often skiable from the summit – depending on conditions. The goal for today is to pick the best side to ski from, involving a traverse from the Cevedale summit to the Zufallspitze, just a couple hundred meters away. The view from the top is one of the most beautiful wonders of nature that anyone could wish for!

The first ascent to the summit dates back to September 7, 1865 accomplished by Julius Payer with Johann Pinggera and Josef Reinstadler, but the first ascent on skis was by Pietro Crosti and others in the winter of 1901-02, and the first solo winter ascent was accomplished by Georg Lowenbach on November 4, 1901.
The summit of Monte Cevedale is not only one the most regarded peaks in the Stelvio National Park, but it also bears witness to the numerous artillery positions of WW., though many more are scattered in several locations across the adjacent valleys.
Descend to Rifugio Branca (2,487m / 8,157') and relish the sense of accomplishment! Tomorrow is another day, but today has been amazing.
(4 hours ski touring, 1160m / 3,804' ascent and descent.)

Palon De La Mare (3,703m/ 12,145') offers another classic ski tour, an unmissable excursion when visiting the Forni area.  On this route the snow settles quickly, but after a new snowfall it provides some of the best snow and exciting descents!

This morning we'll ski tour to Lake Rosole as we did yesterday, from here we'll continue on a south-eastern direction, along a gradient ascent on a moraine rock ridge. We'll climb on steeper grounds leading to the base of two narrow canals, and onto a wide glacial plateau. We'll continue in a northerly direction going up the slope to the right of the Palon de la Mare ridge and, after a second plateau with some crevasses, we'll climb on the final ridge. The last stretch to the summit will be on flat grounds and before we know it, we'll have reached the last summit of our adventure.
We'll descend to Rifugio Forni, our starting place and drive to Bormio for an evening of relaxation and a farewell dinner at the hotel.
(4 hours ski touring, 1,250m/4,100' ascent, 1,560m/ 5,116' descent.)
Alternative excursions available, your guide will select the most suitable according to abilities and weather conditions.

Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer available on request).