Ski touring in the Aosta Valley

For a few years now, in January, I have been organizing a 4-day raid in the mountain huts around Mount Ruitor. It’s time to change and go explore new wild valleys and peaks of the Aosta Valley.

The famous trail running “Tor de Géants” travels around this valley exploring fabulous slopes and passes. But in winter, what about these passages? Can we go skiing? Are the small hamlets of sheep usable to spend a night when they have not been accessible for months? Many issues which I have enquired more than once.

However, still searching, I discovered a grandiose travel during which we will travel from pass to pass, sometimes by climbing marvelous peaks. And in the evening very small mountain huts will welcome us. In these places, there are few or any traces. Just the desire to draw new ones … With a spectacular panorama, from Mont Blanc to Monte Rosa via the Grandes Jorasses, Mont Vélan, Grand Combin, Dent Derhens, Matterhorn / Monte Cervino …

What makes this raid a special adventure?

– A small 4-day raid, very wild, just above Aosta.

– A raid in Italian colors that can be practiced in the early season, with a relief allowing to add peaks on the course, depending on the individual levels and snow conditions.

– Charming Italian accommodation: unguarded mountain huts

– This raid is also an opportunity to learn or improve your skills of search of avalanche victims. For those who wish so we will make a real training in ski touring with the following themes: route selection, selection of the trace, risk assessment of the snowpack, map use, compass and GPS.

During the days:

Day 1: Chamonix – The Veulla (1298m) – Rifugio de Barbustel (2200m)

After crossing the Mont Blanc tunnel we descend to Aoste before joining Challamy Valley. From the small village of Veulla we go to the Barbustel refuge. We climb in the forest. The refuge is nested on the border of lake Blanc.

Minimal positive vertical drop: 1200m. Negative vertical drop: 200m

Day 2: Crossing on rifugio Borroz (2097m)

Superb step between passes, lakes and valleys. From the mountain hut we descend on the lake Cornu to climb to the Gran Lago before joining Mezove. We can ski Punta di Mezove (2845) if the weather conditions allow it. From the top we switch to the Marguerite hanging valley to reach the pastures of Margheron. Here, we are at the end of the world. Only the shepherds come in summer. Before the next refuge we have to climb the Etsely pass (2812m), travel the ridge of Mont Glacier and switch to the Feny valley. An old stone refuge with stove will be our shelter for the evening and night.

Positive vertical drop: 1450m. Negative vertical drop: 1650m

Day 3: Crossing the Ménabreaz refuge (2546m).

A long stage between passes and peaks. For this step, we need to leave early. First objective, climb to Colle di Lavodillec. Then down into the Saint Marcel valley to the small village of Petit Chaux . From there we will go up to the Colle di Leppe before diving into the Laures valley. You will notice how beautiful it is.  Lago Lungo is situated just above the refuge.

Positive vertical drop: 1400m. Negative vertical drop max: 1200m

Day 4: Traverse of Pilla on the Mount Emilius

Still a long day in the mountains between passes and peaks. We will have the opportunity to ski Mount Emilius, a superb pyramid that dominates the Val d’Aosta.

Positive vertical drop: 1300m. Negative vertical drop: 2000m

If this off-road adventure interests you, I invite you to contact me. I will enjoy to give you more information and to arrange with you this nice stay to meet your expectations.