Off Piste & Heli Ski

Alagna

The Monterosa area and Alagna in particular are legendary for their superb off-piste descents.

The area offers attractive mountain villages rather than purpose built ski resorts, and much of the terrain remains un-developed - perfect for off piste skiing.

The Monterosa area has much to offer all levels of deep snow enthusiast and the dramatic, unspoiled environment offers exhilarating skiing and boarding in amongst the numerous 4,000m peaks of the Monterosa chain.

Some of the routes require a little walking to reach the starting point, or to rejoin the lift system, but the keenest skiers are rewarded with sensational descents on amazingly quiet runs.

Several routes pass through glacial terrain and extra care and local knowledge are required to ensure a safe descent.

Olen

The Olen black piste in Alagna is a good place to warm up!

Starting from the Rifugio Guglielmina, it sweeps down through an east-facing bowl with many lines to the right of the marked piste.

Salati - Indren

From the top of the Salati – Punta Indren lift (3300 m) there are numerous off piste descents on the east facing slopes heading towards Alagna, and on the south and west facing slopes, heading towards Gressoney Staffal.

Balma

The big run to ski repeatedly is Balma from Punta Indren through Alpe Bors (1836 m) to Alagna.

The lower section from Alpe Bors can become very icy and difficult in places in spring, and rejoining the ski lift system at Bocchette delle Pisse, is a good option.

There are three main lines from Punta Indren which lead down through a series of south-east facing bowls below the Bors Glacier, to reach the Miniera Gap (2481m). The wide and sometimes steep descents are separated by ridges of reddish rock and the high altitude ensures excellent snow.

On days where the cable car to Punta Indren is not operating, a 15 minute up-hill walk towards Stolenberg leads to a steep gully which offers a great alternative route down in to the Balma area.

Malfatta & Punta Vittoria

The Malfatta and Punta Vittoria offer alternative routes from the Punta Indren starting point towards Alpe Pile and Alagna.

They are some of the area’s steepest couloirs, with gradients between 45 and 60 degrees, cutting through the cliffs above the Bors Glacier.

These are serious off piste itineraries requiring local knowledge, good route finding, a 70m rope and the skills to use it.

Zube Pass & Otro Valley

A 50 minute walk from Salati on the Gressoney side rewards the skier with an outstanding descent in open mountain scenery. Wide, and with a constant gradient, this is an ideal run to perfect your technique in untouched powder. The hamlet of Otro, now abandoned, has some fine examples of the unique Walser architecture and from Otro, the run descends through thick forest back to the centre of Alagna.

Canale dell’Aquila

The Canale dell’Aquila to Gabiet is easily accessible and marked with central poles. It is not too steep, with gradients in the most difficult middle section, of approximately 35 degrees.

The more adventurous skier may continue downhill through the steep, narrow gulley which ultimately leads to the Staffal cable car.

Valle Salza

The Valle Salza is another long and pleasant descent towards Gresonney, though slightly more difficult to route find. The first section traverses the Indren Glacier to reach the rocky, Alta Luce col.

This panoramic spot provides stunning views of the Monterosa peaks and the rugged Lyskamm glacier. From the col, the route down the Lys valley to the Stafal cable car is clearly visible.

Heli Ski

The Monterosa ski area offers numerous, reasonably priced heli ski itineraries. There are a number of landing points in the high mountain area between Alagna, Gressoney and Champoluc which promise spectacular descents and great powder; Passo di Verra (3,950m), Rifugio Quintino Sella (3,585m), Col Superiore Bettolina (3,100m) to name but a few options.

One of the best off piste heli itineraries in Europe is to be found in the Monterosa area with the high altitude, glacial terrain of the Monterosa and Matterhorn ski areas offering exceptionally long and varied descents in dramatic scenery. The excellent snow and incredible panoramas make for a breathtaking journey.

The starting point is Col del Lys (4,200m) and the first descent is to Zermatt on the Grenz Glacier, in the midst of the awesome Lyskamm, Castore and Dufour peaks.

From Zermatt a unique cable car reaches the Piccolo Cervino (Klein Matterhorn), from where the descent back to Champoluc is through the gentle sweeping Cime Bianche valley.

Guided, this route is within reach of most competent skiers with stamina, even with limited off piste experience. It is the kind of mountain experience however, that even accomplished skiers rarely have the opportunity to try.