Ski mountaineering in Alagna in spring is the best way to get to know the Monterosaski linked ski area with its vast off-piste skiing. At Alagna ski resort you will find a vast range of possibilities for ski tours with sealskins and free heel, from the longest to the shorter hit and run ones. Most of the tours do not involve any particular technical difficulties but it is necessary to know how to ski off-piste and absolutely essential to have the appropriate equipment. Those who have never used skins before, can use this opportunity to learn, since the alpine guides who accompany the tours are also ski and mountaineering instructors.
Tours run from late February to mid-May but it is difficult to say when the ideal period is, since tours depend on the weather and snow conditions.
The most popular destination is undoubtedly Capanna Margherita, which in its winter guise is truly magnificent, but Corno Nero at 4322 m, Pyramid Vincent at 4215, Castore at 4221 m and Punta Giordani at 4046 m that surround it are just as famous. The two-day tour of Monte Rosa is simply incomparably spectacular. It leads from Alagna to Zermatt and back from Cervinia through the Grenz glacier. A ski tour immersed in a glacial symphony of the over 4000m peaks of the Pennine Alps. And for those who do not want to climb above 3000 m, but still want to experience a high altitude tour to excite their senses, the Piani di Verra from the upper hill of the Bettolina or the circumnavigation of the Egua valley, the Quarazza valley, the Sesia valley, and the Sermenza valley under the watchful eye of Monte Rosa are routes that most certainly aim to please.
Do you want some variation? Well, practically expect it at every turn. You will be in the competent and professional hands of your guide who will lead you to the best spots, combining your skills, the conditions of the snow and the weather in virtuous harmony.
Suggestions and proposals
The Zube pass
Starting from Salati pass, you can ski down using the blue piste of Gressoney for 500m. Afterwards you just have to put the skins on, and start the ascent to colle Zube. To learn the know-how that’s the best experience that you can have, especially with a local guide. In less than 40 minutes you will reach the top, from where, after some food and a little rest, you will be able to ski down to Alagna. You will pass through ancient villages as Otro and Pianmisura, skiing between Walser’s houses, alternatively The Jakette couloir will make you reach the Olen’s valley.
The lost valley
You will take the cableway to Indren, cross from there to Roccette, under Mantova Hut. There starts a walk of 30 minutes on the easiest side of the valley. The goal is on the left side of the building at 3530m. To reach the glacier of Valle Perduta, you can ski or ( in case of bad conditions of the snow) be roped down. Here comes an unforgettable slope; first in a glacial background and then in the middle of tiny woods: over 1700 height difference between the top and Staffal (Gressoney).
Val di Verra
Just using pistes and lifts you will reach the Bettaforca, where the journey starts. Here starts the ascent to Quintino Sella Hut and Bettaforca pass at 3100m hight. That will take 1h 15′. At the top you can rest admiring the Monterosa’s West side and his glaciers, the most important of which is Verra. After that you can start your downhill ski in a perfect free ride terrain. Being North side of the mountain, you can usually ski in powder snow. You go on towards Frachey where you must stay for lunch. Whenever you like you can go back to Alagna, using cableways and pistes.