Passo Tonale is a ski station situated in famous Val di Sole. Thanks to big amount of sunny days in a year and heavy snowfalls, the resort guarantees perfect conditions to practise recreational and sport skiing in winter season. Richness and diversity of ski pistes as well as well developed infrastructure causes that the ski resort, along with Ponte di Legno, fulfills expectations of families with children and people skiing on every skill level, also those who practise ski race trainings.

Pontedilegno – Tonale Ski Resort (1788-2585 m a.s.l.) is one of the most modern ski centres in Italy. On its area there is 100 kilometres of ski pistes with various degrees of difficulties. Skiers can make use of 28 ski lifts. Opening hours: 8:00 do 16:00.

Drivers of mechanical vehicles can drive cars in Italy on the basis of valid Polish driving license.

Maximal permitted speed on highways in Italy is 130 km/h. On some of the three-lane highways, and those with emergency lane, a speed limit has been increased to 150 km/h, however only in places where it is advisable and where so called “tutor” has been installed – that is a system which detects average speed on a relevant road section.

Art. 172 of Italian Highway Code requires also for children up to 12 years old or shorter than 150 cm, to travel obligatorily on a special seat (being installed on a rear seat), enabling the use of safety belt.

In Italy, an absolute prohibition of selling and providing of alcohol drinks is in force on all gas stations from 22.00 to 7.00. Additionally, there is also a prohibition of selling of alcohol from 3.00 to 6.00 in all gastronomic places (bars, hotels, restaurants) and those which are open after 24.00 (in such places located near highways – from 24.00 to 6.00).

The majority of highways in Italy is payable. The charge shall be paid directly near highway exits in particular localities or in indirect toll collection areas. There is possibility to pay in cash (in euro currency) and by debit or credit card or via “Telepass” payment system. The amount depends on a class of a vehicle. More information about regulations, division of classes of vehicles and the amount of carfare being in force on Italian highways are available on website: www.autostrade.it. There is also an opportunity to calculate the carfare on a particular route. The website is available in Italian and English languages.

Obligatory speed limits for vehicles up to 3,5 t on public roads in Italy are as follows:
– built-up area: 50 km/h
– bypass roads: 70 km/h
– non-built-up area: 90 km/h
– dual clearways: 110 km/h
– highways: 130 km/h (on appointed three-lane highways – 150 km/h)
Out of built-up area there is an obligation to use dipped headlights round the clock. Maximal limit of driver’s blood alcohol content is 0,5 permilles. There may occur also controls for presence of other intoxicants.

According to Italian Highway Code, drivers of vehicles registered abroad are obliged to pay immediately for traffic fines which are issued by competitive services for delinquences in road traffic. In case of inability to pay for any reason, a car must be left on a deposit parking lot which is indicated by the services. A driver is, in such cases, obliged to pay all costs of standing of a car on the parking lot. An accepted and paid traffic fine one should accept the fine and pay a deposit for the penalty (which is, in fact, the amount of the fine) and then lodge an appeal to Prefect or to Magistrate not later than within 60 days following the day the traffic fine is issued. Maximal limit of blood alcohol content is 0,5 permilles. Released in 2016 regulations significantly tightened up penalties for causers of road accidents, implementing, among others, a category of road homicide (induction of fatal accident under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or by exceeding the speed limit over 50 km/h). For some delinquencies like significant exceeding the speed limit, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, turning back on highways or in front of the entrance to highways, apart from finance penalty one may be threatened with suspension of validity of driving license. After a period of the penalty, the document may be received in person in an appropriate local Prefecture or it is returned to Consulate which sends it to Polish Security Printing Works in Warsaw.

More information you will find on the website: https://polakzagranica.msz.gov.pl/Republika,Wloska,ITA.html

Planning ski trip (regardless of our destination) let’s remember about helmet. HSKI Ski School suggests for every white frenzy lover to be equipped with it. In Poland, skiing with helmet concerns children up to 16 years old. In Austria and all federated states, children up to 15 years old need to wear helmet while skiing. In Italy, a duty to use helmets concerns children up 14 years old – the penalty for skiing without helmet is 200 euro!

Going on a ski trip it is good to acquaint with international code of behaviour for skiers and snowboarders. Thanks to it we will avert many unpleasant situations and accidents on ski pistes.

1. Concern for other people
„Every skier or snowboarder should behave in such a way that he does not cause danger or harm for other person.”
2. A way of skiing and snowboarding as well as control of speed
„Every skier or snowboarder should control the way of running. He should adjust the speed and way of running to his skills, type and condition of slope, weather conditions and traffic intensity.”
3. Choice of running direction
„Skier or snowboarder running from behind has to take such a running track, so that he does not cause danger for skiers and snowboarders running in front of him.”
4. Outrunning
„Skier or snowboarder may outrun other skier or snowboarder from up and from down, from right and left side on condition that he leaves enough space to outrun skier or snowboarder so that he is able to make any, intentional or not,  maneuvers.”
5. Moving off and moving up the slope
„Skier or snowboarder, entering the labelled downhill, moving off after stopping or moving way up the slope, needs to look up and down the slope to be sure that he can do it without danger for himself and for others.”
6. Stopping on the run
„Until it is absolutely necessary, skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the downhill track in places with narrowings and places with restricted visibility. After fall in such a place, skier or snowboarder should clear out from the run track as fast as possible.”
7. Coming up and down on foot
„Skier or snowboarder must come up and down on foot only through margin of run.”
8. Adherence to ski signs
„Every skier or snowboarder should apply to ski signs and run marks.”
9. Accidents
„In case of accident, every skier or snowboarder should give first aid to victims.”
10. Duty to reveal identity
„Every skier or snowboarder, wether he is the causer of accident, victim or witness, must in case of accident reveal his personal data.”

HSKI Ski School possesses third-party and accident insurance.

According to Act of November 24, 2017 on package travels and linked travel arrangements, every participant of ski trip organized by HSKI Ski School is covered by basic insurance SIGNAL IDUNA Safe Trips (Europe, Standard, medical expenses 11 000 EUR, including salvage charges 6 000 EUR, accidents 15 000 PLN, with extension of practising of winter sports). Undoubtedly, such insurance may, in some cases, not cover the amount of costs of insurance case. Costs of transport, treatment and hospital stay abroad are very high and counted in thousands of euros. Not all of them are also financed by NHS.

In consideration of the safety and health of participants of ski trips we recommend purchase of voluntary and extended insurance SIGNAL IDUNA Safe Trips (Europe, Super, medical expenses up to 100 000 EUR, accidents up to 100 000 PLN, third-party up to 100 000 EUR, with extension of practising of winter sports).

While planning ski trip, we usually make a booking well in advance. Often, the fortuitous events happen and they are the reason of resignation from the trip. To avoid a loss of costs paid towards the trip, we recommend purchase of cancellation insurance SIGNAL IDUNA Safe Reservations. Such an insurance policy allows, in certain cases, to cover 100% of costs incurred. Contribution rate is not exorbitant and it is worth to include it in a budget of the planned trip.

We remind also that standard insurance policies do not cover costs connected with occurrence of insurance case if it is caused by chronic diseases or cancer. Occurrence of such diseases among participants of ski trip, and in case of cancellation insurance – among their relatives as well, requires purchase of supplementary insurance.

People paying dues for NHS have a right in Italy to use medical care within insurance. It should be remembered, that not all kinds of medical help are available within NHS insurance – among others, people not having appropriate insurance will pay for so called rescue operations (arrival of ambulance, transport oto hospital, etc.).
Going to doctor or hospital, in case of touristic trips, it is necessary to have a document confirming fact of insurance: European Health Insurance Card.

In case of accident or other occurence requiring intervention, you need to call emergency number 112. A theft shall be immediately reported in the nearest police station or Carabiniere station. Protocol will be necessary to receive compensation from insurance company. As soon as possible you should cancel lost or stolen credit cards. In case of loss of passport or other document, you should report it to the police and, as soon as possible, contact with Polish agency.

The Embassy of Poland in Italian Republic:
Ambassador: Tomasz Orłowski
Italy, Rome, Via Pietro Paolo Rubens, 20, 00197
Tel: +39 06 362 04 204
Fax: +39 06 806 60 233
Tel duty: +39 335 599 52 12
Tel: +39 06 362 04 200
Fax: +39 06 321 78 95
Email: rzym.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl
WWW: http://www.rzym.msz.gov.pl
Consular Department of Embassy is located in a separate building nearby Via San Valentino, 12, 00197 Roma. Telephone duty off hours: +39 335 599 52 12

Institute of Poland in Rome
Director IP: Paweł Stasikowski
Italy, Rome, Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193
Tel duty: +390636001651
Tel: +390636000723
Email: rzym.ip.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl
WWW: http://www.istitutopolacco.it

General Consulate of Poland in Milan
General Consul: Jerzy Adamczyk
Italy, Milan, via Monte Rosa, 6, 20149
Fax: +390248020345
Tel duty: +393355685786
Tel: +390248018978
Email: mediolan.kg.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl
WWW: http://www.mediolan.msz.gov.pl
Telephone duty off hours: +393355685786

Consular Department of Embassy of Poland in Rome
Manager of Department, I Councillor: Ewa Mamaj
Italy, Rome, Via di San Valentino 12, 00197
Tel duty: +39 335 59 95 212
Tel: +39 06 362 04 302
Fax: +39 06 806 93 217
Fax: +39 06 806 60 233
Email: rzym.amb.wk@msz.gov.pl
WWW: http://www.rzym.msz.gov.pl