Pinzolo: the future is now
The Doss del Sabion gets a new and contemporary look: invisible gondola stations built into the mountain and superior guest facilities.
BETWEEN SUSTAINABLE VISION... We said goodbye to it as we know it at the end of March, to welcome it back with a new image and design at the beginning of December. This project, developed in just a few months, is not only an upgrade - replacing a chairlift that had had its day with a modern gondola and the redevelopment of the mountain lodge at the top of the ski piste - but so much more. It is a new chapter in the story of the Pinzolo ski area that has endured for over half a century. The new and improved infrastructure and services could be seen as the translation of the commitment to social and environmental sustainability adopted by Funivie Pinzolo Spa at the turn of the millennium. In 2004, the company - at the time under the helm of Antonio Masè and now led by Roberto Serafini - was the first in its field in Italy to obtain Certification ISO 14001 2015, which has since been renewed until 2025. Later, in 2022, amid the turmoil of the ecological transition, it confirmed its commitment to the urgent global need to preserve the environment and address the climate challenge. Funivie Pinzolo was once again among the first to be awarded the integrated sustainability “Sì Rating” in recognition of its commitment to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda, and has achieved carbon neutrality by offsetting CO2 emissions that it cannot eliminate with certified carbon credits.
...AND ALPINE ARCHITECTURE This vision, which has guided Funivie Pinzolo’s projects for twenty years, continues to inspire the new projects set to be released for winter 2023/2024: the modern and comfortable gondola, the Prà Rodont bottom stations and Doss del Sabio top stations, both built into the landscape itself, and the contemporary and elegant new look of the mountain lodge. The design - the work of Feltre-based architect Marco Casagrande - is cohesive and unites the gondola infrastructure and the bar and restaurant facilities in a common language. The elements, whether functional or stylistic, complement not only each other but the surrounding landscape. The design is inspired by the geology of the breathtaking alpine peaks that can be admired from the incredible natural mirador of the Doss di Sabion: the Brenta Dolomites, Adamello Presanella, and the Val Rendena in the centre. The gondola’s underground top station is enclosed in a shell that evokes the prehistoric fossilised strata of the Dolomites, primitive reminders that the mountain was once a sea.
THE GREEN SOUL OF THE MOUNTAIN: A NEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE IT It is a forward-looking project and has been designed in preparation for the future replacement of the Pinzolo-Prà Rodont gondola, as part as of a broader redevelopment project integrated with the planned construction of the Pinzolo ring road. The call for greater environmental protection needs to be more than a slogan, as the owners of the ski lifts (Funivie Pinzolo Spa) and the mountain lodge (Zodiac Srl) know well. The old chairlift was dismantled and sent to a certified steelworks where it was transformed into new steel for new uses according to the circular economy model. The old reinforced concrete blocks have been removed and the route of the old lift has been rewilded, with several areas planted with saplings grown in the surrounding area. The decision to use fewer towers and gondolas was taken to better integrate the infrastructure into the environment, while the underground solutions adopted for the terminals have freed up open and natural spaces. The renovation of the mountain lodge includes the insulation of the building itself, the replacement of windows and doors, and the installation of a large area of photovoltaic panels on the roof capable of generating 19 kilowatts of solar energy. The service style at the Doss del Sabion mountain lodge has evolved too, abandoning the self-service approach and dividing into three separate areas. The new configuration will feature a new fine dining restaurant, a new panoramic bar and lounge, and a new bistro area. Whether it’s a mouth-watering breakfast, an exquisite meal or a gourmet lunch, a memorable experience is guaranteed. The project is transformative and marks the bold transition of the region’s “little” ski area towards the future of tourism and high-quality skiing
The new buildings have been designed to integrate with the surrounding environment.
TRAVEL IN STYLE On the Prà Rodont-Doss del Sabion, visitors and skiers will be able to travel in comfort and style in 10-seater cabins complete with internal ski racks and boarding platform. Tales of the old chairlift which operated from 1988 until last winter - buffeted by the wind whatever the season, or the heart-stopping drop from the summit of the Doss on the way back - will soon be confined to memory and stories. The 53 new cabins will include one with a transparent floor, for visitors who want to experience the sensation of being suspended in mid-air. Some technical details: The gondola was constructed by the company Leitner Spa of Vipiteno, while the construction and civil engineering works were carried out by the temporary joint venture Misconel-Zelgher. The gondola is supported by 11 towers and is 1634 metres long, with an elevation gain of 591 metres. The duration of the uphill journey is 4 minutes 32 seconds.
FEEL PAMPERED The Doss del Sabion mountain lodge has long been a landmark for skiers and hikers, ever since the opening of the lifts in 1969. Modernised and expanded over the years, it has embraced its newly adopted axiom of Alpine Style and donned an attire fitting of its prestigious location. The lodge will now be accessible from the top station of the new gondola by both escalator and elevator, to enable smooth access for all. The bottom floor will be occupied by the new Panoramic Café (expected to open in summer 2024), while on the second floor the immense windows of the Mountain View Restaurant will offer an idyllic view, to be enjoyed along with fine cooking inspired by traditional recipes with an emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. An openair lunch can be enjoyed on the terrace, to make the most of the unique view that takes in the entire horizon.
ENJOY FINE DINING The Alpine Attic restaurant is destined to become the crowning jewel of the fine dining scene for those who love the authentic flavours of Italian and, specifically, Trentino cuisine. The name embraces and exalts the defining elements of its identity: a lofty location, offering a breath-taking panorama, which aims to give diners a high-quality taste experience in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The dishes will celebrate the quality of the produce, placing the spotlight on the freshness of ingredients sourced from the lodge’s partners and local producers. There will also be a Wine Lounge with an intimate and inviting ambience, dedicated to tastings and designed as a haven for relaxation and trying something ne
EXPERIENCE CULTURE The top station of the Doss will take visitors on unexpected journey through the geological history of the Brenta Dolomites and Adamello-Presanella World Heritage Sites which have stood majestically across from each other for millennia. The highly impactful experience will be immersive and interactive and will use the most cutting-edge multimedia technology. The warm seas that created the Dolomites and the fire that forged Adamello Presanella will be presented in a contemporary voice, with large screens and sound tracks that offer a unique experience, objects and materials that stimulate the senses, and installations that inspire the visitor’s creativity and thinking. This space will be open to all and will also serve as an environmental education laboratory for schools, exploring the topic through a delicate balance between outside and inside, reality and narrative, landscape and its interpretation. The first phase of the project, with the large panoramic window that gives a unique view over the mountains, glaciers, hills and valleys from inside the mountain itself, will be ready for 2023/2024, while the cultural and educational areas are under development.
The educational area on the environment and geology will be completed in the coming seasons.
