02/04/2025
Winners Announced for the 6th Edition of the Lagazuoi Winning Ideas Mountain Awards 2025
Innovation, but also inclusion and sustainability, are the key words of the sixth edition of the Lagazuoi Winning Ideas Mountain Awards, whose award ceremony took place last Saturday at the Lagazuoi EXPO Dolomiti, the exhibition hub located 2,732 meters above Cortina d’Ampezzo. Following the ceremony, the permanent exhibition dedicated to the winners and finalists of this edition was inaugurated and will be open to visitors until March 2026.
The three winning projects, selected by three juries of journalists and experts chaired by Engineer Stefano Illing, creator of the Lagazuoi Expo Dolomiti, are tangible proof of how new and original ideas are born and flourish in the highlands, eventually spreading and inspiring other places in a positive way.
The Winners
Mountaineering boots made from recycled materials
Winner of the Mountain Equipment and Clothing category is the project developed by the start-up RE-SPORT, a spin-off of the University of Bologna. This project shows that the future of the mountains depends on responsible choices: new mountain boots and trekking shoes made by recycling end-of-life equipment and materials destined for landfills. This award aims to spotlight those who are changing the game by shifting the focus from mere production to the entire life cycle of products.
A mountain for everyone
Winner of the Digital Services and Apps for Mountain Tourism category is APPENNINI FOR ALL, the innovative start-up by Mirko Cipollone from Cese di Avezzano in the province of L’Aquila, also recipient of Legambiente’s Oscar for Sustainable Tourism. Specializing in environmental tourism for people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, the project aims to make mountain experiences accessible to those who cannot enjoy them independently. It responds to a clear gap in information and offerings for green tourism for people with disabilities, both locally and nationally.
Conscious consumption of the most precious resource: water
Winner of the Mountain Food and Wine Products category is REFILL & TASTE, a project by the Strada dei Formaggi delle Dolomiti, promoting conscious water consumption. Around 120 potable water refill points were mapped and added to the international Refill App. Additionally, 800 PLA "I Love Trentino" water bottles were distributed to businesses participating in the Cheesenic initiative, which offers picnic baskets with local cheeses and products — a true zero-kilometer mountain picnic service.
Special Mentions – WIMA 2025
Massimiliano Ossini, for inaugurating the "Telling the K2. 1954–2024" exhibition at Lagazuoi Expo Dolomiti in December:
"Lagazuoi Expo Dolomiti is honored to grant a special mention to you, a passionate advocate for the mountains, which you have brought into the spotlight through TV shows like 'Linea Bianca' and 'Kalipè,' as well as books and documentaries recounting your adventures atop Italy’s and the world’s peaks."
Germania Cabrelle and Davide Pomponio, authors of “La Funivia”, an evocative song previewing the athletic feats of the 2026 Winter Olympics, while celebrating the landscapes of the mountains in a lyrical and musical ascent and descent. The intro features a cameo by Paolo Zanarella, “The Out-of-Place Pianist”.
Michele Budelli, CEO of Fandango Club, for his efforts — together with FISI, ANEF, and other mountain stakeholders — to relaunch the industry with Apreski Milano Mountain Show, a major event taking place on October 16–19:
"We’re creating a rope team movement driven by passion and the understanding that business is key for mountain communities to thrive. We’ll discuss tourism, production, sports, gear, books, tech, big events, cuisine, fashion, environment, lifestyles — all from the voices of mountain lovers themselves, sharing their stories with the public."
Finalists
Category: Mountain Equipment and Clothing
Cut-Resistant®, a ski base layer made by Energiapura (Tezze sul Brenta, Vicenza), resistant to cuts and featuring a patented emergency opening system. It allows safe removal in case of injury, thanks to a micro dotted line printed on the fabric for guided cutting.
E-poles, Nordic walking poles by Gabel (Bassano del Grappa), also used in rehabilitative assisted walking. They include a digital tracking system to measure coordination, speed, and movement quality — innovation for both athletes and those using walking as motor therapy.
Category: Digital Services and Apps for Mountain Tourism
AlpineSafe, a safety campaign created by Lara Farkas during her studies at the University of Bolzano. It consists of 8 posters with simple visuals that explain safe behavior in the mountains.
Ermellino, a wearable device by Arsenal Engineering (Mirano, Venice), worn like a watch. It enhances smartphone functions and provides live updates on slope conditions, lift crowds, recommended trails, and companion locations — including geolocation for emergencies.
Category: Mountain Food and Wine Products
Is Femminas, a female-led Sardinian restaurant that revives traditional recipes using products from Seulo, a village at 797 meters known for longevity. Founded by Maria Carta, it brings this local, zero-km food culture from the mountains to downtown Cagliari, by the sea.
Nomadic and organic beekeeping by Christian Forte (Cibiana di Cadore, Belluno, 1440 m), producing rare organic mountain honey from Carnica queen bees, a resilient species adapted to alpine environments. His sustainable, innovative approach helps preserve alpine ecosystems.
Technical Partners
For the Mountain Equipment and Clothing category:
Assosport – National association representing Italian producers/distributors of sportswear and equipment.
Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti – Supporting local businesses tied to the unique Dolomites heritage.
GIS – Italian journalists’ ski club affiliated with the Italian Winter Sports Federation.
For the Digital Services and Tourism Apps category:
ANEF – The only recognized association of cableway operators.
Azzurro Digitale – One of Italy's top 100 startups (2020), guiding manufacturers in Transition 5.0.
UNIMONT – Alpine hub of the University of Milan, specializing in mountain studies.
TSM – Trentino School of Management, providing research and training for the sustainable development of Trentino.
For the Mountain Food and Wine category:
Coldiretti Veneto & Belluno, representing agricultural enterprises and food producers.
ARGAV – Agro-food and environmental journalists’ association for Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige.
GIST – Italian Tourist Press Group.
Free University of Bolzano, a trilingual, internationally focused university with strong infrastructure.
The Juries
Mountain Equipment and Clothing:
Giampaolo Allocco (industrial designer),
Marco Di Marco (editor, Sciare Magazine),
Gian Luca Gasca (mountain writer, Lo Scarpone),
Antonello Marega (president of EPSI – European Platform for Sport Innovation).
Mountain Services and Apps:
Max Cassani (La Stampa),
Claudio Lucchese (professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice),
Paola Pica (Corriere della Sera),
Salvatore Viola (Startup-News.it).
Mountain Food and Wine:
Bruno Gambacorta (RAI, creator of Eat Parade),
Alberto Lupini (Italia a Tavola),
Filippo Polidori (food expert, CEO of Polidori & Partners),
Ludovica Rubbini (chef at SanBrite, Michelin star).
