Ski The Sustainable Way: Finding The ‘Ideal Number’ In Trentino
As Trentino’s winter ski season opens, the region is setting a new benchmark for mountain sustainability. Most notably, Madonna di Campiglio has become the first ski resort in Italy to limit skier numbers on peak days, introducing an ‘Ideal Number’ to directly target overcrowding and enhance skier safety.
Discover how this approach fits into the wider landscape of sustainability innovations shaping the Trentino winter season for 2025/2026:
Scientifically-defining skier flow with the ‘Ideal Number’
Madonna Di Campiglio became the first Italian ski destination to optimise skier flow based on a scientifically defined ‘Ideal Number’. As demand for winter tourism surges, this new model prioritises the quality of skiing experience over quantity of daily visitors.
On 17 peak days, the resort will limit daily passes to 15,000 until the ‘Ideal Number’ is reached. Busiest periods include Christmas and Carnival (28 December and 5 January and 15-22 February). This prevents overcrowding safety on the slopes and skier satisfaction.
In addition to this, new ‘smart’ ski passes will dynamically distribute skier traffic across Madonna di Campiglio's 150km of slopes, helping them avoid the most overcrowded areas including Folgarida, Marilleva and Pinzolo.
Powering Trentino’s slopes with clean energy
Trentino’s winter infrastructure runs largely on renewable energy. In areas like San Martino di Castrozza and Primiero, ski lifts, lighting and snowmaking are powered exclusively by local hydroelectric plants and biomass facilities.
Snow groomers now use GPS systems to optimise energy consumption. Cable cars and slopes that once relied on fossil fuels are now tightly integrated with clean grids - a powerful demonstration of how winter recreation can decarbonize at scale.
Mountains without barriers
Trentino’s sustainability drive isn’t only environmental - it’s social. The region is investing in inclusive innovation to ensure winter experiences are accessible to everyone. With 210 certified instructors across 47 ski schools, Trentino has built one of Italy’s most advanced networks for adaptive winter sports.
In Val di Sole, the region’s commitment is visible in real infrastructure: the barrier-free Dolomiti Express train and the fully accessible Daolasa cable car at 2,040m seamlessly connect visitors to the Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta ski area. Every ski school in the valley is equipped and qualified to support adaptive skiing, offering dual skis, dual-seat monoskis and tailored instruction.
This commitment is echoed across the Trentino region. Individual initiatives like Scie di Passione’s 4ALL in Alpe Cimbra and the long-running SportAbili organisation in Val di Fiemme focus on providing specialist instructors, adaptive equipment, and championing an overall barrier-free approach. Flagship events, such as Paganella Open (12-14th December) offer three days of free adaptive ski lessons, guided snowshoe hikes and other specialised snow outings for people with disabilities. See more about the Trentino Open initiative here.
SKInnovation makes its Italian debut
Madonna di Campiglio will host the Italian premiere of SKInnovation (10-12th December). The pioneering ski festival will go international for the first time, uniting startups, innovation and winter sports in the Brenta Dolomites.
This high-altitude startup festival will turn gondolas and mountain huts into meeting rooms, facilitating the merge of tech entrepreneurs, investors and ski-area operators directly on the slopes. SKInnovation has become a catalyst for climate-focused ideas, and embodies the region’s determination to rethink winter tourism, balancing high-quality experiences with long-term environmental sustainability. See more on the Italy SKInnovation website.
