Non stop cornmeal eating, it's even in the name of the festival. Come and become a corn fed delight with polenta in Piemonte at the Grande Polentone NON STOP di Roccaverano image credit: Sagra del Polentone Roccaverano

ADVENTURE OUTDOOR FEST
Come hang out in the stunning Dolomites and play around with a range of outdoor mountain activities and workshops. When your muscles need a break, join a presentation, film screening, concert or cocktail party. Check out their site for a full list of activities

OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

Interested in a weekend in the Dolomites where you can sample a variety of mountain activities in once spot and then chill to music in the evening? Check out the Outdoor Festival in Val di Fassa and get a chance to test your skills in such areas as paragliding, slacklining, and rock climbing, or if you prefer activities closer to the ground there are a variety of choices for the less acrophobic.

MONTE ROSA WALSER TRAIL RUN 2016 

Punish yourself (but at least you'll be suffering in beautiful  Valle d'Aosta)  with choice of trail races from Ecotrail 20 km/1200 meters to Endurance 114km/ 9500m of elevation gain (yes that's right it's meters, not feet- so not for the faint of heart or weak of leg)  plus a couple of other options in between the Ecotrail and Endurance.

image credit:  aostasports.it

TROFEO DEL CONTRADE

Thinking it is too early to wax up those cross country skis? Think again. The Trofeo del Contrade (Districts Trophy) Livigno, Italy has been stockpiling snow and will cover the streets of the alpine town to host a night-time nordic race. Oh and feel free to leave the aerodynamic suits and carbon boots behind, the race features traditional nordic costumes and equipment too. This is the 36th edition of the race that brings visitors from around the world to the Valtellina village to watch the race through its streets and provide a preview of the upcoming season.

image credit: www.valtellina.it

 TOR DES GEANTS  ENDURANCE TRAIL RACE

330 km, 24000 meters overall elevation gain, lucky for you you don't need an excuse not to run it, registration for the 2016 edition is already closed. Get cracking though maybe you can do the 2017 edition. In the mean time, you can come and cheer on the 2016 runners while hanging out in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

MORBEGNO IN CANTINA 2016 A great excuse to go the  mountains and drink wine (as if one really needed an excuse).

The 21st edition of this event takes place on 4 consecutive weekends in the medieval town of Morbegno in Valtellina. Stores, cellars and tasting rooms are opened giving visitors a chance to sample local food specialties and the fine local wines. The mountainous region that borders Switzerland has been making wines for more than 2000 years. Come see if you agree with Leonardo DaVinci who claimed that the “valley surrounded by tall and fearsome mountains” made wines that are “heady and strong”.

SPECK FEST DETAILS   

Eat speck. It's delicious. Not sure what speck is? Hint: this festival may not be tops on the list for vegetarians. Read more here about yummy speck.

MILANO MONTAGNA FESTIVAL 2016 (Milan Mountain Festival)

In between films and music and checking out the latest mountain gear, test your skills on the climbing wall, slack lines and mountain bikes. Oh and it's free to go - we like free. There is also the Vibram Factory Ideas Incubator calling for the proposals for new designs in equipment and technology for use in the mountains. Deadline for proposals Sep 15, scroll down to download forms in English or Italian. Or submit your mountain sports video  by Sep 15 to be considered for the Milano Montagna Video Awards.