Description

Unfortunately, the ‘Forcella Staunies’ chairlift shut down in the summer of 2016, so a great deal more effort is now required to enjoy the popular steep lines of the Cristallo mountain range and this discourages lots of skiers.

Take the Son Forca chairlift, then follow the slope to where the old ‘Forcella Staunies’ chairlift was.

From here, skin up the old ski slope to the middle station, and above it look for a wide couloir coming down from the left (facing the mountain) off the main slope of Forcella Staunies.

Climb up this couloir (usually with skis on your backpack and with crampons on) until you reach Forcella Grande, 2874 metres.

Allow 1 hour 45 minutes to get here. Now ski down the slope on the north side for the first 100 metres until you have the chance to traverse to the skier's left.

Stay high, so that you can reach the slope coming down from Forcella Padeon, 2750 metres.

Climbing up to this pass you might need skins or just put your skis on your backpack, depending on the snow conditions.

Drop into the south side of the couloir and ski the steep first part until the couloir makes a turn to the right.

At this point look for a little notch on the skier's left, found in between the rock face and a little rock pinnacle, Get across it and keep traversing for a little bit until you can reach another little steep couloir you'll ski into in order to reach the trees.

Keep traversing high to the skier's left, and find your way through the bushes to go back to the pistes.