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.

CARNEVALE PONT SAINT MARTIN

Forget New Orleans and Venice, go celebrate Carnevale in Valle d'Aosta. See the giant and eerie Devil hanging from the Roman bridge the town is named for. (ponte is Italian for bridge) Legend has it that Martin was on a pilgrimage to Rome when he stopped in this small village on the Lys River. The old bridge had burnt down and he was stuck there. The villagers wanted a bigger more solid replacement but didn't have the money. Martin made a deal with the Devil to build them a new bridge. In return, the Devil demanded payment in the form of the soul of the first one to cross the bridge. Martin tossed a piece of bread on the bridge and a stray dog ran for it, not sure if the canine's soul was sacrificed but the Devil was angry and tried to destroy the bridge. Martin stuck a cross on top, saved the bridge and the people called him a saint and named the bridge and the town for him.  Go celebrate the ancient Carnevale rituals in the town with the legendary bridge.

MONTAGNA FUTURO

Lombardy Region's project aimed at defining a strategy for the development and promotion of its mountain areas.  Presentation of a  new 9 million euro fund available for related projects. Roundtable discussion and talk by Italian ski champion Deborah Compagnoni. Free registration.

DI NEVE E DI GHIACCIO: SAFE SKI, SAFE CLIMB

Milano Montagna hosts an evening with Dominque Perret- "Freeride skier of the Century"; Angelika Rainer, winner of the Ice Climbing World Cup; Uberto Piloni, alpine guide;  and Marco Zanchi, ultratrail runner. The evening will focus on using equipment for staying safe in the winter mountain environment. Free entrance with registration.

POTATO WEEK

Why leave culinary weeks to the more glamorous items like truffles and wine? The humble yet delicious potato deserves its own celebration. Scenic Val Pusteria in the Dolomites honors the versatile tuber with its own week. Go ski and eat potatoes.

Photo credit Marco Spataro Monte Rosa Ski

The TROFEO MEZZALAMA , held in odd-numbered years, is part of La Grande Course of ski mountaineering races. This glacier marathon is a  three-person team competition that necessitates super endurance,  with more than 3000 meters of climbing and just over 37 km in distance, plus a knowledge of alpine conditions and the ability to ski down hill too. Not for the faint-of-heart, or those who do not have complete trust in their teammates. since narrow crests are to be navigated roped to each other.  If the weather is good enough for views and competitors have a chance to look, they will be rewarded with one of the most incredible routes in the Alps. This year's race starts in Breuil-Cervinia passing over the Klein Matterhorn and Monte Rosa to finish in Gressoney-La Trinité.

MELLOBLOCCO It's time to bond with boulderers. From beginners to champs, ( the Italian Bouldering Championships will also take place during the event) all can come "hang"out ( pun intended) in the stunning scenery of Val di Mello/Val Masino. The event draws thousands from around the world and if your fingers need a break, there are also yoga workshops and other more passively enjoyed entertainment options including dj sets.

a2410 project

Think culture in the mountains is limited to the lower elevations? Think again. You can have your peak and culture too. Come to the rooftop of DF Sport Specialist Milan with the Ferrino sponsored geodesic tent and learn more about the a2410 project on the peak of the Grigna Settentrionale at Rifugio Brioschi. This summer, the  a2410 project returns, housed in a  high thigh-tech structure designed to withstand extreme conditions. The project will host a series of presentations, performances, and events all at 2410 meters. In case you can't make the Milan launch event in person, you can view the 360-degree live stream on the  a2410 YouTube channel.

MONTE ROSA TRAIL

Ready for a breathless mix of running and scenery? (The breathlessness ratio depends on your fitness level and choice of courses) Come to one of the most scenic spots around and choose among the options. For the ultra serious, there is the ultra endurance: a 114 km course that includes an overall 8240-meter elevation gain. If you instead want just a tiny taste of trail time, you can choose the 4.5 km 200-meter elevation gain course. There are also a few distance options in between.

TOR DES GEANTS - ENDURANCE TRAIL

Feeling spry? 330 KM and 24000m elevation gain (that's 205 miles and 79,000 feet or almost 3x up Everest) Don't worry you have a week and killer scenery to view when not hallucinating. But if you just twisted your ankle and have to sit this one out, go to Courmayeur to cheer those crazy runners on.

Can't make it to the mountains midweek? Come get inspired and check out the Milan stop of the EUROPEAN OUTDOOR FILM TOUR featuring "the best in outdoor and adventure films." Purchase tickets in advance through the link on the EOFT site.