There are events that are not easily forgotten: days that remain in the heart, filled with emotions, good food, and companionship. Among these is undoubtedly Saór de Rèzel, the gastronomic event in the mountains that every year attracts enthusiasts, curious individuals, and food lovers to Val di Rezzalo, a gem of the Stelvio National Park.

After a two-year hiatus, on Sunday, August 17, the valley came back to life with the energy of its fourth edition. The beautiful weather, the authentic flavors of the Valtellinese tradition, music, entertainment, and the breathtaking scenery of the mountains contributed to making the day unforgettable. Not just a celebration and joy: the event was also an opportunity to celebrate San Bernardo, patron saint of the valley, with a Holy Mass presided over by the parish priest of Frontale.

The plain of San Bernardo transformed into a large natural open-air square, welcoming about a thousand people. Some had purchased the Cuntapass in advance, while others decided to join at the last moment, freely choosing the food spots along the route. Many came: residents of the valley, tourists, visitors from all over the province, and the owners of the cabins who reopened their homes to share this festive day. A true high-altitude street food experience at 1850 meters, in a unique atmosphere that offered postcard-worthy views.

Of course, the star of the show was the food. Five food stations, each with a name in the Frontale dialect, offered simple yet flavorful specialties prepared by volunteers from the associations. From the aperitif with the Rèzel Cocktail and a platter of local cold cuts and cheeses to the new Fiadarda with salad, to polenta with stew and chanterelles, and a buckwheat pie with a sweet filling. There was also a stop for drinks: water, Valtellinese red wine, apple juice, shepherd's coffee, and typical liqueurs. All dishes and flavors tell the story of rural life from the past when families would gather around the table after working days in the mountains.

A special consideration was given to the first 200 participants who purchased the Cuntapass, gifted with a keepsake from the event: a wooden cutting board or a personalized thermal bottle.

But Saór de Rèzel is not just about gastronomy: entertainment and activities made the experience even more complete. Traditional games, live music with the Men In the Ven, and a lively country party with the Old Boots. For adventure lovers, there was the "4 pas" trekking guided by medium-mountain escort Laura Besseghini, discovering the "Bormio 360" route along the characteristic alpine pastures.

Also present at the festival was Taneda, the friendly mascot of Bormio and the Tourist District, who welcomed both young and old with smiles and photographs. At the welcome stand, he entertained visitors with a special game: fishing for a welcome message dedicated to the mountain or a coupon for the event, thus emphasizing the district's vocation of the event.

Great satisfaction from the organizers:
“This success fills us with pride” – commented Alexandra Ricetti (Associazione Sgangherati di Frontale) and Gianni Pedranzini (APT Sondalo) – “People appreciated the edition, which rewards us for the efforts made during the preparation days. Saór de Rèzel has managed to grow and renew itself: today it is a recognized gastronomic event, thanks to the quality of the products offered and the beauty of Val di Rezzalo, which preserves the authenticity of the mountain pastures. We thank the participants, the volunteers, the sponsors, and everyone who made this day possible. Our goal was to enhance the valley and convey its history and traditions. We hope we succeeded and that we provided everyone with a moment of celebration amidst the scents and colors of the mountains.”

With these words, another edition of Saór de Rèzel comes to a close, looking forward to the future with the promise of new adventures. All the photos from the day will be available on the official Facebook page “Saór de Rèzel.”

The event was organized by the Associazione Giovani Frontale Gli Sgangherati and APT Sondalo Tria Lilia, with the sponsorship and collaboration of the Municipality of Sondalo, the Stelvio National Park – Ersaf Lombardia, and with the support of BIM Sondrio of the AV Mountain Community.

A special thanks goes to the sponsors, the involved entities, the Civil Protection, the Italian Red Cross, the Forest Carabinieri, and the 40 volunteers from the associations who contributed to the success of the event. A special thank you also to the Old Boots, the Men In the Ven, Marco Rodigari, the Parishes of Frontale and Sondalo, Laura Besseghini, and those who documented this day with photos and videos (Caio, Cristian, and Angelo).

And finally, the biggest thanks goes to Val di Rezzalo and its mountains, which welcomed everyone in their splendor.

Sgangherati Frontale and APT Sondalo