Exploring Italy’s Stelvio Pass Ski Area

Perched atop the majestic Stelvio Pass in Italy, an exceptional ski area stands out, welcoming visitors from late May through early November. The road shuts down as winter blankets the region, and hotels and lifts go dormant. The storied glacier ski field boasts a remarkable legacy of providing invaluable summer ski training to racers from around the globe. This season, the esteemed list includes America’s Team Summit from the scenic state of Colorado.

Between 1820 and 1825, the Austrian Empire built the road to connect Lombardy with Austria. Climbing 6,138 feet from the valley, it summits at 9,045 feet, claiming the Eastern Alps’ highest paved mountain road title and ranking as the Alps’ second highest, only 23 feet below France’s Col de l’Iseran. The three-week Giro d’Italia Grand Tour cycling race often employs the spectacular road as a climbing stage.

The ski field emerged after World War II in 1946, making it one of Europe’s oldest glacier ski areas. Reaching its lower lifts requires a brief tram journey from the road’s peak. Remarkably, the training lanes’ top lies 11,154 feet above sea level, towering 2,100 feet above the road.

Notably, training on Stelvio requires unusual hours. Taking full advantage of early morning frozen snow requires a snowcat commute before sunrise.

Ski Racing Media thanks Team Summit for sharing photos from their Italian experience.

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