PROGRAM
A 5-day ski mountaineering itinerant tour. Long crossings in the most uncharted corners of Ossola Valley. Remote and pristine valleys in an authentic and wild environment. The itinerary winds through the most famous peaks of Alpe Devero and Formazza valley. A Haute Route of pure exploration, in the least known part of Lepontine Alps.
Spend your overnight stays in alpine huts and enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets at high altitudes.
Ossola valley is shaped like a big “maple leaf”, with its secondary ribs in the rivers and streams of lateral valleys and mountains, and a central nerve identified in the Toce river.
Considered as one of the most beautiful sides of Piedmont, it still is a pristine and wild location. Declared a paradise by mountain and nature lovers, this valley encompasses a thousand-year history of love and respect for nature and traditions. Cradle of the Walser community traditions, it is now known as one of the best spots for ski touring. The Haute Route includes some of the most fascinating itineraries of the area, granting the possibility of experiencing the wild spirit of this fairytale place, alone with your skis and skins.
A once in a lifetime 5-day adventure discovering the unique hospitality and the amazing panoramas of this secluded valley.
If you are interested in discovering more itineraries in the area, you can also check our tour “Ski Touring Val Formazza“.
GROUP DEPARTURES
Alpe Devero, 1,631m – Monte Saggiatto, 2,387m
Elevation gain: 760m
Time: 3h
Meeting point: Baceno (VB), Antigorio valley (Piedmont-Italy)
Meeting with the Guide and group.
Briefing for logistic organization and gear check.
Transfer by car to Alpe Devero, optimizing the number of cars depending on the number of participants.
Skiing and skinning, the tour starts in a fairytale fir forest. After passing the frozen Sangiatto lakes, we will continue in an enchanted environment, reaching the peak “panettone”, named after its shape.
The itinerary closes with a beautiful descent that follows a trail sheltered from sun and wind.
Satisfaction and snow quality are granted on the way back to Castiglioni hut.
After arriving at the hut we will reward ourselves with a delicious hot traditional meal.
Accommodation in the room, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Alpe Devero, 1,631m – Monte Saggiatto, 2,387m
Elevation gain: 760m
Time: 3h
Meeting point: Baceno (VB), Antigorio valley (Piedmont-Italy)
Meeting with the Guide and group.
Briefing for logistic organization and gear check.
Transfer by car to Alpe Devero, optimizing the number of cars depending on the number of participants.
Skiing and skinning, the tour starts in a fairytale fir forest. After passing the frozen Sangiatto lakes, we will continue in an enchanted environment, reaching the peak “panettone”, named after its shape.
The itinerary closes with a beautiful descent that follows a trail sheltered from sun and wind.
Satisfaction and snow quality are granted on the way back to Castiglioni hut.
After arriving at the hut we will reward ourselves with a delicious hot traditional meal.
Accommodation in the room, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Alpe Devero, 1,631m – Scatta Minoia, 2,599m – Margaroli hut, 2,197m
Elevation gain: 970m
Time: 4h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
Ascent up to Scatta Minola pass, linking Alpe Devero to the high Formazza Valley. We will cross over Codelago frozen lake, towards the high plateau above the valley. Then we will continue, at the foot of the majestic Punta d’Arbola, up to the Scatto Minoia pass.
Short refreshment break, while enjoying a stunning view, before changing the skins and then facing the descent. The itinerary then reaches the Vannino lake; from there, after a short ascent, we will reach the Margaroli hut.
Short break in a warm and cozy atmosphere, before settling in the rooms.
Relax, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Alpe Devero, 1,631m – Scatta Minoia, 2,599m – Margaroli hut, 2,197m
Elevation gain: 970m
Time: 4h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
Ascent up to Scatta Minola pass, linking Alpe Devero to the high Formazza Valley. We will cross over Codelago frozen lake, towards the high plateau above the valley. Then we will continue, at the foot of the majestic Punta d’Arbola, up to the Scatto Minoia pass.
Short refreshment break, while enjoying a stunning view, before changing the skins and then facing the descent. The itinerary then reaches the Vannino lake; from there, after a short ascent, we will reach the Margaroli hut.
Short break in a warm and cozy atmosphere, before settling in the rooms.
Relax, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Margaroli hut, 2,197m – Punta D’Arbola, 3,236m – Margaroli hut
Elevation gain: 1,050m
Time: 5h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
We will leave for the wonderful iced Srùer lake, then from the Lebendun pass we will reach the peak at 3,236m. The Punta d’Arbola represents the perfect ski touring adventure in Formazza valley. The itinerary grants a great and satisfying ascent, for a “5 star” skiing enjoyment.
We will then return to the hut by following an alternative itinerary, passing near Vannino lake.
Relax, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Margaroli hut, 2,197m – Punta D’Arbola, 3,236m – Margaroli hut
Elevation gain: 1,050m
Time: 5h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
We will leave for the wonderful iced Srùer lake, then from the Lebendun pass we will reach the peak at 3,236m. The Punta d’Arbola represents the perfect ski touring adventure in Formazza valley. The itinerary grants a great and satisfying ascent, for a “5 star” skiing enjoyment.
We will then return to the hut by following an alternative itinerary, passing near Vannino lake.
Relax, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Margaroli hut, 2,197m – Hohsandhorn, 3,182m – Claudio Bruno hut, 2,713m
Elevation gain: 990m
Time: 5h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
We will climb up to another, well liked, iconic peak of Formazza valley.
Long satisfying traverse and descent on wonderful slopes facing north, where the snow conditions are always at their best.
We will then reach the charming Claudio Bruno hut, offering us a 360° view on the Sabbioni lake, its homonymous glacier and the peaks we conquered during the first days of the tour.
Short break in a warm and cozy atmosphere, before settling in the rooms.
Relax, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Margaroli hut, 2,197m – Hohsandhorn, 3,182m – Claudio Bruno hut, 2,713m
Elevation gain: 990m
Time: 5h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
We will climb up to another, well liked, iconic peak of Formazza valley.
Long satisfying traverse and descent on wonderful slopes facing north, where the snow conditions are always at their best.
We will then reach the charming Claudio Bruno hut, offering us a 360° view on the Sabbioni lake, its homonymous glacier and the peaks we conquered during the first days of the tour.
Short break in a warm and cozy atmosphere, before settling in the rooms.
Relax, dinner and overnight at the hut.
Claudio Bruno hut, 2,713m – Blinnenhorn, 3,373m – Riale, 1,728m
Elevation gain: 665m
Time: 2h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
Last day and last peak of the tour. We will leave the hut, towards very satisfying slopes, on a way back filled with funny curves on fantastic snow. Southern exposure helps to create the “firn” snowpack, that guarantees fun for everyone.
The way back continues for about 1,600m downwards and tops it off in the wild Ossola valleys.
Short lunch break, enjoying a hot meal, at the Aalts Dorf Hotel in Riale.
Transfer back to Baceno (VB) by car.
Final greetings before closing the tour and returning home.
Claudio Bruno hut, 2,713m – Blinnenhorn, 3,373m – Riale, 1,728m
Elevation gain: 665m
Time: 2h
Wakeup and breakfast at the hut.
Last day and last peak of the tour. We will leave the hut, towards very satisfying slopes, on a way back filled with funny curves on fantastic snow. Southern exposure helps to create the “firn” snowpack, that guarantees fun for everyone.
The way back continues for about 1,600m downwards and tops it off in the wild Ossola valleys.
Short lunch break, enjoying a hot meal, at the Aalts Dorf Hotel in Riale.
Transfer back to Baceno (VB) by car.
Final greetings before closing the tour and returning home.
DETAILS
RATES
- the assistance of a UIAGM/IFMGA certified Mountain Guide
- the Mountain Guide’s expenses (transfers, meals and accommodation)
- liability insurance
- safety gear used by the Guide (eg rope)
- overnight stay in a refuge with half board
- booking assistance service (including assistance for refuges and lifts reservation)
The rate does not include
- research and rescue insurance with UVGAM coverage (recommended): €12 per person for 7 days
- the hiring of any personal equipment (avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and backpack): €30/day per person while supplies last
- the hiring of any personal equipment (harness, ice axe and crampons): €20/day per person while supplies last
- transfers
- extra meals and beverages (for customer and the Guide)
- anything that is not mentioned under "The rate includes"
