Management
Riccardo Cipullo
A serial dreamer and passionate about sports and travel, since childhood I have been drawing adventures on the pages of my atlas, guided solely by my imagination! Creating Verticalife was a true epiphany, as I found the "place" where I could nurture my passions and share them with like-minded people, a space to cultivate ideas, imagine projects, and transform them into something concrete and tangible.
I have always traveled in search of new cultures to discover and new outdoor experiences to try, interpreting them through the travel experience. During my travels, I found the inspiration and conviction to embark on the journey of founding the tour operator Verticalife.
The greatest satisfaction is seeing, years later, how the idea of a group of young travelers has become a shared reality.
Ad maiora!
Paolo Mele
I have been lucky enough to grow professionally in the world of tourism, but it is with Verticalife that I found my true passion. Together with Riccardo and our entire team, we created a space to share our love for nature and adventure.
Being part of this community, which continues to grow and evolve, is a privilege. Every trip is an opportunity to discover new places, new people, and, above all, new challenges to face together.
Technical director, ISA Level I surf instructor, and citizen of the world.
Product Manager
Giorgio Basile
I have been organizing trips since 2005: I started my career in tour operating, working with both Italian and foreign tour operators, and since 2018, I have been a certified hiking guide. I’m now in charge for trips to the Himalayas, Central Asia, the Middle East, Morocco, and self-guided trekking tours in the Alps and Sardinia.
An expert in route planning and destination research, as well as in managing relationships with suppliers and clients. Passionate about geography, distant cultures, photography, and outdoor sports, especially trekking, climbing, ski mountaineering, mountaineering, and mountain biking.
Activity Manager
Fabrizio Orsello
Born in Turin, class of 1984. I believe that the mountains are incredibly versatile: they adapt to each of our desires, offering us what we dream of and asking for nothing in return. Since childhood, I have been hopelessly in love with them, and today I am happy to be an Environmental Hiking Guide.
I have been part of Verticalife since 2009, and in my role as AMI, I will accompany you on small and large adventures, organizing the experience so that it is unforgettable.
I am here to listen and understand your needs to suggest, from a mountaineering perspective, the right solution for you!
Simone Bertalmio
Curiosity and a love for freedom are the qualities with which I approach my life. What better place to rediscover them than in the mountains? The wild nature, its challenges, and its minimalism remind me of what truly matters. Always passionate about outdoor sports, I find my true dimension in nature.
Like a good wine, the solo experience is reflective and exciting, but it is the sense of togetherness that allows us to fully savor our journey.
With this spirit, group guiding allows me to share my passion, reminding me every day of the beauties of life and how it changes when approached with a positive mindset.
The connection between people, respect for nature, emotions derived from landscapes, and the joy of embarking on a path and reaching a goal are the main objectives of my hikes.
Patrik Gerbaz
Naturally sporty. A lover of the mountains and in love with the Aosta Valley, where I was born and raised. I got into the world of mountain biking in the mid-'90s, later obtaining the F.C.I. Mountain Bike Instructor diploma and the regional Mountain Bike Guide and Off-Road Cycling Instructor certification.
Mi avvicino al mondo della Mtb a metà degli anni '90, successivamente conseguo il diploma da Maestro di Mtb F.C.I. e quello regionale da Maestro di Mtb - guida - e ciclismo fuoristrada.
A fan of dirt trails, I know most of the 5,000 km of trails in the Aosta Valley, a true alpine paradise accessible to all, from beginners to experts.
My mission? To promote outdoor sports activities on a mountain bike, in complete safety.
Local Manager
Andrea Carelli
Growing up among the "Uje" of Balme, in the province of Turin, as a child my favorite games were the snow and the stones around my house.
Over the years, climbing, skiing, and living in the mountains have remained part of my daily life.
Today, thanks to my work, I can share my passion with those who wish to discover the true essence of alpine nature.
In addition to guiding, I am a technician and trainer for the National Alpine Rescue, a Critical Care Nurse, and the founder of Guide Alpine Balme.
Carlo Filippi
I was born in Turin in 1999; I started climbing in gyms and on crags, but I soon realized that athletic performance was just a small part of what I was looking for.
The world of mountains and mountaineering had so much more to offer: emotions, joys, friendships, but also lights, colors, and breathtaking landscapes.
I am very drawn to the lines we can trace with our climbs, playing as fairly as possible with nature. Ethics and respect for this environment are, in fact, the only way we have to enjoy and preserve this "playground" that has been made available to us.
I have always explored the mountains from every angle and practiced all the activities it has to offer: mountaineering, climbing, icefalls, freeride, ski mountaineering...
I am particularly attached to the Mont Blanc massif, where I have carried out most of my activities.
Becoming an Aspirant Mountain Guide (UVGAM) and turning this passion into a profession has been a dream I’ve had for a long time: seeing people's happiness after reaching the summit is a great satisfaction and takes me back, for a moment, to the excitement and beauty of my first climbs!
Filippo Colombo
Turin born and raised, after a long journey through the Alps, I have finally settled in Briançon.
An avid skier since birth, over the years I have become a well-rounded mountaineer, while still maintaining a preference for snow and high mountains.
In 2024, I became an Aspirant Mountain Guide, and since then, my goal has been to share my vision of the mountains with my clients, preferably in wild and remote places.
I speak fluent French and English, which allows me to introduce the mountains of my home to clients from all over the world!
Giulia Marangoni
Born in 1990 and a guide since 2015, I have a background in conservation biology, and the study of alpine nature has only increased my passion for the mountains and my desire to know them more deeply.
I am convinced that contributing to the understanding of the mountain environment (its nature, history, and culture) is a crucial step in preserving what is, in every sense, our heritage.
Whether it is during a single excursion, a day dedicated to schools, or a multi-day trek with people from the other side of the world, I put all my passion and effort into ensuring that those who are with me have an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
My greatest satisfaction is knowing that the people I guide perceive the mountains as a place to return to, with awareness and respect.
After all, as John Muir wrote: "Going to the mountains is going home."
Tania Zoia
I was born in mountain huts to parents who loved the mountains and passed this great passion on to me. After spending some time working in mountain huts at high altitudes, I decided to pursue the path of a Medium Mountain Guide to share and pass on my love for those magical peaks that make my soul vibrate.
Passionate about crystals, medicinal plants/flowers, ski mountaineering, climbing, and rock climbing, I am thrilled to be a Medium Mountain Guide. I see this profession as a gateway to this wild world where one feels so small and insignificant, yet at the same time, it fills us with its unique magic.
Nadia Venturetti
Hi! I’m Nadia Venturetti, aka Trek it Wild, my name on social media, and a hiking guide by passion: a passion for the Mountains and Nature, my life’s teachers.
My passion didn’t start at a very young age, even though it’s in my family’s DNA. Growing up in a family of mountaineers, soldiers, and farmers, it came with the beginning of my second life. I rediscovered the most authentic and essential values, starting to explore beautiful places close to home or a little farther away, traveling with a backpack and sleeping in a tent in places that, for me, surpass any five-star hotel.
And that’s how I found my way.
Becoming a guide was a dream, a life project, and a new change born from the desire to help people discover that extraordinary experiences can be lived not only through big trips but also just a few kilometers from home. I like to call them “prêt-à-porter adventures”: all you need is the willingness to be surprised, and great things can happen. It happened to me just like that.
See you on the trails to share many experiences and new adventures!
Marianna Polverino
I was born in Ischia and grew up in a family that has been working in the tourism hospitality sector since the 1950s. Inspired by the passion passed down to me, I earned a degree in Tourism Studies, specializing with a master's in sustainable and responsible tourism.
I love my island like nothing and no one else, and this love is renewed every time I travel the world for work or pleasure.
My passion leads me to reveal the hidden beauties of the land I live in to the tourists who visit, with a special focus on environmental and social sustainability.
The sea is my element, but I also move easily among chestnut groves and rows of vines.
While you sip a glass of local wine or taste the traditional dishes of Ischia, I, with the spontaneity that defines me, will never tire of telling you the origins and reasons for this love, involving you and making you feel part of your journey.
Marco Vozza
I’ve been going to the mountains since I was a child: the first time I walked a trail, I was about 8 years old… and I haven’t stopped since.
The enchantment of nature, the silences, the scents, and the colors that amazed me then have become part of me, and I seek them out in the paths I offer.
Originally from Southern Italy, I moved to Turin at a very young age and started exploring the Val di Susa and the valleys of the Turin area thirty years ago. I lived in Trento, walking through the southern Rhaetian Alps and the Dolomites, and also in Spain, in Barcelona, where I learned to love the eastern Pyrenees, in addition to specializing in the Spanish language.
For the past fifteen years, I’ve been working with sensory disabilities (deaf, blind, and visually impaired people), trying to bring the world of disability closer to the mountain environment. With the right preparation and experience, many barriers can be broken down. I am fluent in LIS (Italian Sign Language), recognized as a minority language by the Italian State on May 19, 2021.
I enjoy a wide range of activities: from the classic major itineraries of the Turin area to naturalistic walks to experience the beauty of nature and discover local history and traditions, as well as more challenging outings and trekking tours in Italy and around the world. For those who wish to experience nature 360°, I offer slow, conscious, and respectful tourism.
Denise Visintainer
I like to see the mountain as a teacher of life, to be respected and listened to. The unconditional love I have for it is partly in my DNA and partly due to the experiences I’ve had since I was a child.
Every mountain excursion fills me with awe and wonder, fueling my curiosity for nature and its extraordinary balance.
The mountain, like science, teaches us to see it, seek it, and, if possible, reach it.
During our excursions together, I aim to share the small lessons from my experience, hoping to pass on emotions that will make you fall in love with it too!
Martha Consolino
Hi! I'm Martha Consolino, a mountain professional and passionate about every wild and authentic corner of the Alps and beyond. Since 2019, I have been a Medium Mountain Guide, registered with the Collegio delle Guide Alpine of Piedmont, a crucial step in turning my passion into a profession. Since 2021, I have also been an International Mountain Leader, a qualification that allows me to guide groups abroad.
I’m a volunteer with the Alpine Rescue Service, a commitment that enhances the safety of my clients, and a Guide for the Alpi Marittime Park. This role allows me to deepen my understanding of the surrounding mountain nature.
My job? To accompany those seeking something deeper in the mountains: a moment of freedom, connection with nature, and discovery! From the Marittime Alps, which I consider home, to the Aosta Valley, Trentino, and international destinations, I guide those who want to experience authentic mountain adventures and be inspired by its beauty.
Stefano Mastrangelo
Cycling Guide for the Piedmont region and youth coach FCI, I am passionate about cycling and everything related to bikes, from short excursions to long-distance adventures, both in Italy and abroad. I enthusiastically dedicate myself to various types of cycling, from MTB to gravel, exploring trails and roads of all kinds.
For years, I have been collaborating with Verticalife, a company known for its expertise in cycling routes in Piedmont and Liguria, but also offering exciting itineraries in Morocco With an unlimited passion for cycling, I love sharing the beauty of these places with fellow enthusiasts, providing unique and unforgettable experiences.
Lino Vergura
A lifelong cycling enthusiast, I earned my diploma as an FCI MTB Instructor in 2017 and as an FCI MTB Guide and Cycling Tourism Guide in 2022.
My true passion lies in exploring the Lombard Prealps, a region I know intimately, allowing me to offer routes suitable for everyone, from beginners to experts, on trails immersed in nature and history.
My goal is simple: to make anyone who rides their MTB have fun, while always keeping safety in mind. With a professional approach and a deep love for this sport, I strive to share the joy of exploring the mountains by bike, experiencing each route with enthusiasm and awareness.
Stefano Bruzzone
For over 10 years, I’ve worked in the world of cycling, but my passion for two wheels has been with me since I was just two years old.
I firmly believe that the bicycle is the ideal way to discover the world, which is why I dedicated myself to organizing bike trips, starting with friends and then turning this passion into a true profession.
I love every cycling discipline, but MTB remains my first love, the one that made me fall in love with biking and pushed me to explore new horizons.
Each trip, each route, each pedal stroke is an opportunity to live new experiences and share my passion for cycling with those who share this same love for two wheels.
Alessandro Ferrio
Born in 1984, with a background as a project manager, I decided to change my life in 2016 by combining work with my passion for bike travel.
After participating in the "Bike The Nobel" expedition, cycling from Milan to Oslo, I joined the team of ultracyclist Paola Gianotti, with whom we set two Guinness World Records (48 states in the USA in 43 days / Japan from North to South in 9 days).
As a Cycling Tour Guide for the Piedmont Region, I am ready to take you on a journey through our territory and share a bit of my passion for cycling with you!
Francesco Gozio
Originally from Brescia, now a longtime resident of Finale Ligure, in the sunny Italian Riviera, I started mountain biking in Valle d'Aosta when I was 8 years old.
I obtained the necessary certifications to become an instructor, federal and European guide, and moved to Finale for work eight years ago.
Since then, I have been a guide and mountain bike instructor with clients from all over the world.
Today, I am a guide, the owner of a guiding company, and the sports coordinator for the Gravity/E-MTB events in the UCI international circuit.
Margherita Biasi
Born and raised in a small village in Trentino at 1100 meters above sea level, I have always been passionate about outdoor life and sports. I studied agrarian and forestry sciences, and I am a ski instructor, MTB instructor, and guide.
A deep connoisseur of the mountains, I live for my passions. My life also includes great solo adventure trips on foot and by bike, such as crossing the Alps from east to west and the Pyrenees from north to south.
All my work is focused on giving my guests an adventure, the "perfect MTB day," and sharing my love for nature and the mountains.
Luigi De Giacomi
My name is Luigi, but I am better known, like most of my namesakes, as Gigio or Gigi.
My greatest passion is the combination of sports and nature in all its forms and colors.
Drawn to exploration, I dedicate most of my time to living outdoors, ranging from simple walks and trail running in my hometown to trekking, climbing, mountaineering, and ski mountaineering. However, the bicycle remains one of the best ways to immerse oneself in landscapes of indescribable beauty with absolute freedom.
That's why, for a few years now, I have been a cyclotouristic guide for the Piemonte Region and a certified mountain bike instructor.
Tomasso Bovero
MTB guide (Accademia MTB) and ciclotourism guide for the Piemonte Region, I have always been fascinated by bicycles since I was 7 years old, taking my bikes apart and putting them back together.
After completing my studies, I had the opportunity to turn my passion into a true profession, fulfilling a dream that has always been with me.
My motto: "Life is like a trail; you don’t have to follow the beaten path!"
Giorgia Bellotti
My name is Giorgia, and I live in Monferrato, where I teach Yoga. My passion for this discipline emerged after years of dancing, which facilitated my approach to Yoga, bringing me well-being, harmony, and calm through movement.
The desire to deepen this ancient practice led me to attend my first training course in Rishikesh (India) in 2017, at AYM Yoga School. Since then, I have continued my studies in Italy, Bali, and London, where in 2019, I deepened the 'Ashtanga' method with David Swenson.
From that moment, Ashtanga Yoga became the core of my practice and training. The Yoga Shala is my space of peace and growth, and Elena De Martin is my guide. I regularly participate in workshops and seminars both in Italy and abroad, and in September 2023, I practiced in Mysore with Vijay Kumar.
Yoga, and particularly Ashtanga, is a fundamental tool for my personal growth, with benefits that extend beyond the mat. I am grateful to share this passion and my knowledge, the result of constant dedication and an ongoing desire to learn.
Office
Isabel Fenoglio
Born and raised in the heart of the Piedmont Alps, I have always been inspired by the beauty of unspoiled nature and the experiences it offers. My passion for active tourism and exploring the mountain environment has been with me since childhood, shaping my academic and professional journey.
I was fortunate to get in touch with the world of Verticalife during my university studies, immediately recognizing it as a unique opportunity to turn this passion into an exciting and ever-evolving job. With a strong interest in sustainability in tourism, I found in Verticalife the perfect environment to contribute to responsible and environmentally respectful tourism development.
Today, I work every day to merge my vision of active, authentic, and sustainable tourism with the unforgettable adventures we offer our travelers, aiming to create meaningful experiences in harmony with nature.
Elisa Cocchi
Born in 1998, my academic journey has always been defined by a common denominator: tourism. Thanks to my parents, passionate about the mountains but never excluding the sea, I started spending my weekends exploring the Piedmont valleys and Ligurian villages.
I came across Verticalife after writing a thesis on experiential tourism and a few early job attempts that didn’t work out. Finally, I was able to embrace the exact concept of tourism I had in mind—a world of outdoor experiences built to measure, with a focus on sustainability.
Every day, from the Aosta Valley to Nepal, I work to combine sports in nature with unique destinations, ensuring meaningful experiences thanks to a solid and well-structured network of contacts.
Simona Rosso
For years, I’ve been a solo traveler, loving to explore all my travel destinations on foot, whether they are big cities or places immersed in nature.
For me, every trip is an intimate and stimulating adventure, an opportunity to discover new parts of myself, deeply immerse in cultures different from my own, and enrich myself with lessons that only exploration can offer.
During my university studies, I was introduced to the world of tour operators through a travel design workshop. A few months later, I joined the Verticalife team, which gave me the chance to combine my love for travel with sustainability, another topic I hold dear.
Every day, I passionately dedicate myself to creating unique and unforgettable outdoor experiences for every traveler, allowing them to discover the authentic beauty of nature while promoting a sustainable approach.
Andrea Fornengo
Born and raised in Turin, I have always had a strong passion for hiking and spending nights camping under the stars in good company. The mountain fascinates me for its purity, and admiring the views of valleys and peaks gives me a unique feeling of clarity and comfort.
Always passionate about photography, over the years I discovered the world of graphic design and web design, which I quickly became passionate about. I joined the Verticalife world in 2014, initially collaborating with the sports association, and in 2017 I managed the first website redesign, which I have been handling ever since.
From the start, I shared Verticalife’s philosophy, which combines sustainability and respect for the environment, promoting active and responsible tourism.
Travel, excursions, activities, and outdoor experiences in italy and around the world
Via Argentero 6, 10126 Turin
+39 011 089 1022
info@verticalife.it
