Versante Sud Ski Mountaineering in Valle d'Aosta English Version ski mountaineering guide

From November to May, the mountains of Valle d'Aosta are dressed in white and transform into a paradise for ski mountaineering. Each side valley offers incredible scenery, endless descent potential, and wild valleys with a wide range of opportunities: from routes for beginners to more alpine and challenging ones. Such a rich territory of possibilities deserves to be known and explored, but always with a good dose of awareness. This guide aims to become a compass for ski mountaineers in search of adventure. From north to south, it covers the entire Valle d'Aosta proposing 101 routes for all tastes: from the super classics to the more sought-after outings. Divided into 7 macro-areas, it analyzes valley by valley the most suggestive excursions. It starts with the chapter on Mont Blanc, which covers Val Veny, Val Ferret, and the Planaval area above La Salle. Here, the routes are characterized by breathtaking views of the glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif. It continues with the chapter on Rutor, the mountain that dominates the Valle di La Thuile and Valgrisenche, a true mecca for ski mountaineering. Next is the Gran Paradiso area, which includes the three valleys of Rhêmes, Valsavarenche, and Cogne. Wild valleys and interesting loop tours made possible also thanks to the various alpine huts open during the spring season. The right orographic side concludes with the Champorcher section, less known but certainly evocative scenery. From here, one begins to ascend the Valle d'Aosta on the opposite bank with the Monte Rosa – Cervino area, which includes the Gressoney valley, Val d'Ayas, and Valtournenche. The many ski mountaineering opportunities at high altitude on the glaciers of the Monte Rosa massif make this sector a must-stop for lovers of the four-thousanders. It arrives at the Coumba Freida sector, a true gem with ascents and descents for all tastes and levels in the Gran San Bernardo Valley and Valpelline. Finally, the Central Valley chapter closes the guide, proposing routes that start from various municipalities in the central valley such as Mont Fallère above Vetan or Becca di Nona above Pila.