Corno Grande, western summit, 2,912 m

From the upper station of Campo Imperatore, the best is to slide along the flat route that follows the access road towards the northeast up to the upper hairpin, at about 2,070 m. Here you leave the ski area and cross the basin below Monte Aquila losing as little altitude as possible. At this point, through the steeper glacial cirque, you head north, at a suitable point (there may be snow cornices!), on the connecting ridge Monte Portella - Monte Aquila. The ascent with skis is therefore overall less than on summer trail no. 3, which passes among the steep slopes of the connecting ridge. Once the ridge is reached, you cross (always heading north) a depression and a weak ridge descending from Monte Aquila and thus reach the saddle of Corno Grande, 2,421 m, from which the massif summit massif of the Corno rises. Initially still on very beautiful slopes, but increasingly steep, passing a prominent boulder on the left or right, up to an altitude of about 2,600 m. A short side ridge leads left to the start of the south couloir, through which the further ascent takes place. As far as possible, skis can still be used, but it will be better to use crampons in the steeper couloir. You ascend slightly to the left on a somewhat projecting rib, then directly under the blocked rocks on the right and through a narrow passage, which is also the steepest (45 degrees or slightly more). The couloir widens again but remains fairly steep. Exit onto the upper west ridge. Within minutes you turn right towards the summit cross, which can be completely snow-covered if snow conditions are high.

DESCENT:

Depending on snow conditions and skiing ability, it is possible to descend the couloir from the summit. However, you must keep in mind that in the area after the bottleneck there is a risk of falling.

Below the bottleneck, the couloir is easy to traverse and leads to the pleasant steep slopes that lead to the saddle of Corno Grande. Depending on mood, you can also continue descending towards the Garibaldi Refuge, but then you need to climb back up to the ridge connection. The further descent takes place along the ascent trail and with a short counter climb along the circling piste - it is worth using skins - you return to the upper station.

There are some descents in unprotected terrain that can be used to return to Assergi if there is enough snow: from Monte Portella via the Vallone della Portella, from the upper station very steeply via the Tre Valloni or further east via the Valle Fredda. It is recommended to park a second car in advance at the end point of the descent (access from the lower station via the road to Campo Imperatore, about 2 km from the lower station).