MTB Technique & From the Bedretto Valley to the Upper Formazza Valley
- Activity: Alpine Sports Base - Airolo
- Start date: 17 October 2025 / 18:00
- End date: 19 October 2025 / 18:00
- Location: Fuori sede
- Address: Airolo
- Course language:
- Italiano
- English
Two days dedicated to E-MTB trips for all levels. An unmissable experience for nature and sports lovers!
Day 1 – Introduction and Improvement in Airolo
Meeting point: 08:30 at the Casa della Sostenibilità in Airolo (ground floor, in front of the train station).
Equipment provided: E-MTB and helmet (clipless pedals available on request).
Morning
- First hour: technical exercises at the Airolo multipurpose field, to learn or improve bike handling skills.
- Assessment of technical level and formation of homogeneous groups.
- Transfer to Pesciüm (paved road up to Nante, then gravel), with 600 m of elevation gain in about 1 hour.
Midday and Afternoon
- Short snack break and division into groups of maximum 3–4 people.
- Guided ride at the Bike Park di Airolo, with itineraries adapted to the skills of each group.
→ Goal: to learn useful techniques and enjoy a positive experience, without pushing beyond personal limits. - Packed lunch in nature.
- Return to Airolo in the afternoon, depending on the groups’ needs.
Day 2 – MTB Excursion in Val Bedretto and Val Formazza (Airolo → Rifugio Maria Luisa)
Transfer by E-MTB from Airolo, ascending Val Bedretto through alpine villages and pastures. The route continues toward Passo San Giacomo, with more challenging sections, before descending into Val Formazza (Italy), enjoying alpine lakes, waterfalls, and spectacular mountain scenery, ending at Rifugio Maria Luisa.
Route Data
- Total distance: approx. 46.9 km (Strava)
- Total ascent: ~1,399 m (Strava)
- Route type: mixed (dirt and paved roads), with challenging climbs and technical descents
- Difficulty: Medium‑High – recommended for participants who have already attended a technique day
Challenging Sections
- Val Bedretto → Passo San Giacomo: steep climb with technical segments, requiring good stamina and bike handling
- Descent into Val Formazza: variable terrain, from dirt tracks to secondary alpine roads
Cultural Insight
Val Bedretto (CH) and Val Formazza (IT) preserve an extraordinary historical and cultural heritage. The alpine villages along the route, with their stone and wooden houses, tell centuries of mountain life, from pastoralism and agriculture to local traditions.
Passo San Giacomo, crossed during the excursion, has been a strategic route for centuries connecting Switzerland and Italy. Merchants, pilgrims, and soldiers have traveled it, leaving traces of cultural and commercial exchanges between the two regions.
Continuing into Val Formazza (IT), you can admire impressive hydroelectric works and alpine dams, symbols of Italian engineering and the relationship between humans and the mountain environment. The valley is also famous for its waterfalls and high-altitude lakes, true natural jewels that have inspired geologists, artists, and travelers.
This excursion is therefore not only a sporting experience but also a journey through history, culture, and alpine landscapes, offering a multifaceted view of the mountains.
Level
The camp is intended for participants with a beginner/intermediate level. This means having a good attitude towards cycling and the ability to use brakes and gears.
Personal Equipment
Participants must wear sportswear suitable for the activity. We recommend dressing in layers for outdoor activities:
- Breathable inner layer, thermal underwear made from synthetic fiber or merino wool to retain heat and provide greater breathability
- Intermediate layer, fleece or light insulated jacket
- Outer layer, hiking jacket and pants, we recommend windproof and waterproof suits (e.g., Gore Tex).
- Towels
- Personal leisurewear
- Board games
Sports equipment
- Hairband or headband
- Sunglasses
- Mountain sunscreen
- Mountain backpack
- Thermos flask
- Headlamp
- Shoe suitable for mountain bike touring
The following equipment is provided by the Sport Service:
- Headlamp
- E-bike
- MTB
- Bicycle helmet (for those who do not have one)
Participation
The activity will only take place if at least 5 participants sign up, with a maximum of 12 people. If weather conditions force the camp to be canceled, all participants will be refunded the full amount paid.
Food
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price and will be organized at Casa Alpina
Any food intolerances or allergies must be communicated at the time of registration.
Price
- USI/SUPSI students: 160 CHF*
- USI/SUPSI staff, faculty member and students from other Swiss universities: 200 CHF*
- Companions/Family members: 240 CHF
*At the time of purchase, the category (student, staff member, faculty member) indicated on your university ID card will be considered valid.
Included in the price:
- 2 nights' accommodation
- 2 half-board meals (breakfast and dinner)
- 2 days' equipment hire (E-MTB, MTB, helmet, headlamp)
- 2 days of guided sports activities
Not included in the price:
- Personal clothing for E-bike rides
Would you like to help us become even more environmentally sustainable?
Bring your own bedding set: pillowcase (50X70), mattress cover (80X200), and duvet cover (140X200).
Sheets or sleeping bags are not permitted.
Alternatively, you can rent a set for CHF 15 at the Alpine Base.
Already joined a technique day?
On the following weekends you can create your own package:
- Join only the Day 2 tour,
- Repeat the technique session,
- Or combine both days.
A tailor-made MTB experience starting from CHF 50 per day, bike and guiding included.
For more details and bookings, please contact Dalila directly.
Transportation
Transportation to Airolo must be arranged individually.
To reduce environmental impact, we recommend traveling by train along the route “Lugano-Airolo”.
For check-in at 6:00 p.m., we recommend the train departing from Lugano on platform 3 at 4:30 p.m.
Registration and payment
By proceeding with the purchase, the user accepts the instructions and rules of conduct of the Sport Service, available in the section "Attachments".
Refund policy
- 100% refund upon presentation of a medical certificate
- 80% refund within 2 weeks of the camp
- 50% refund within 1 week of the camp
- No refund less than one week before the camp, as in the case of non-attendance
To proceed with your refund request, please contact the Sport Service by email, indicating the event and the reason for cancellation. Refund conditions will apply based on the date of the request.