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Stella Alpina 2025 ("Stella Alpina Reloaded")
An update from 24/06/2025 following a conversation with the Vice Mayor of Bardonecchia.
Whilst I remain hopeful that someone from the new organising committee will still post definitive information on the long established 'Stella Alpina Rally' Facebook Group, with the 2025 Stella Alpina weekend fast approaching, it is with hesitance that I provide this information which represents MY understanding of the situation.
In the first instance, it should be noted that the Italian authorities have introduced strict conditions regarding the organisation of events such as this, which includes there being arrangements in place to cover issues such as safety, rescue, healthcare and the registration of participants.
Understandably, such conditions resulted in it being difficult to find anyone willing to take on this responsibility, hence the many months of us waiting for news of this year's event.
Finally, with an organiser having volunteered and with at least two websites and the 'Stella Alpina Rally' Facebook Group known to exist as a source of information, I suspect that the strict conditions stipulated by the Italian authorities have driven the organiser to create an "Official" single source of information, this being a newly formed 'Stella Alpina Reloaded' Facebook Page.
Unfortunately, this newly created Facebook Page has clearly not been in existance long enough to spread news of the event sufficiently and the information that has been posted to date raises even more questions. To this end, I provide the following information but, I reiterate, this is only my understanding from my conversation with the Vice Mayor, a conversation which did NOT include the organiser; the Vice Mayor of Bardonecchia is NOT the organiser.
Officially, the 'Stella Alpina Reloaded' event will take place on SATURDAY, 12/07/2025, from 1pm to 8pm only. I understand that a fee of 30 euro (possibly 35 euro) will apply for anyone who wishes to take part in the event which will include a commemorative shirt, wristband and possibly includes food as well. A commemorative badge may be available to purchase separately, but I am not sure on that detail.
I understand that camping at Rifugio Scarfiotti will be available free of charge from the Friday.
The track to Rifugio Scarfiotti will be closed on the THURSDAY before the event, but then open all day on the days after that. I have no definitive information of the permitted hours/days for accessing the track beyond Rifugio Scarfiotti (ie. to Colle del Sommeiller).
Similarly, I have no definitive information on the hours/days that the toll will be in operation from the point just above Rochemolles, but I expect this will be similar to recent years.
There will be no 'Blessing of the bikes' at the church in Bardonecchia this year.
From the above information, it is my understanding that there will be NO provision to purchase a commemorative shirt or badge on the mountain on the Sunday; you need to get to Rifugio Scarfiotti on the SATURDAY if you wish to get any of these.
Whilst this year's format will undoubtedly be very different from previous years, my feeling is that the limited hours of the 'Official' event have been driven totally by the conditions imposed by the Italian authorities.
Imposing a participation fee was something that Mario Artusio always refused; in his mind, the Stella Alpina event was about freedom, friendship and self-management and NOT about collecting attendance fees. However, the new organisers are clearly doing their best to maintain the tradition of the 'Stella Alpina Motociclistica Internazionale' whilst meeting conditions imposed upon them by the Italian authorities and I wish them well in this endeavour.
Updates will be posted here as received as well as on 'www.stellaalpinarally.com' and on the long established 'Stella Alpina Rally' Facebook Group.
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Stella Alpina 1981 (Photos)