Looking for an easy 4000 meter peaks in the Alps? Dizzying walls, sharp ridges, and peaks over 4000 meters offer endless views and challenging slopes. On the 4000s of Monte Rosa, solitude, silence, training, and curiosity intertwine in a symphony of emotions. Joy and defeat alternate.
Climbing the easy 4000-Meter Peaks of the Alps: Monte Rosa
Monte Rosa is not just Capanna Margherita. If mountaineering has captured your heart, the 4000-meter peaks of Monte Rosa are surely the challenge you seek. Climbing with UIAGM mountain guides makes this experience accessible and safe.
Climbing Monte Rosa with Alpine Guides
If you ask the mountain guides who accompany climbers on the 4000-meter peaks of the Alps, they will tell you that their villages have short horizons. Alagna, Gressoney, and Ayas are enclosed by mountains, with limited spaces. Those born in the mountains must climb to expand their view of the sunset, and the guides of Monte Rosa love to do this. They will teach you how it’s done, and you will love it too.
The easy 4000-Meter Peaks of the Alps: A Story of a Climb for Many
On Monte Rosa, there are 4000-meter peaks within reach for many climbers, though not for the inexperienced. One truly beautiful ascent is the traverse connecting the Parrot, Ludwigshöhe, and Corno Nero peaks. This traverse is a harmonious blend of ridges and steep climbs interspersed with easier sections. It reaches three summits above 4000 meters without extreme challenges or significant technical difficulties. The route can be completed in two days with moderate elevation gains, making it suitable for climbers who have already taken some steps on glaciers and wish to advance to the next level. It is also a perfect path for those on the hunt for 4000-meter peaks in the Alps.
The night in the hut isn’t always easy
First goal will be to reach the Capanna Gnifetti, the historic base camp for almost all climbs on Monte Rosa. Our journey involves an hour and a half of trail walking with a final equipped section that offers a few thrills.
Although Capanna Gnifetti is cozy, it is located at an altitude of 3647 meters. The rooms are dormitory-style with bunk beds, there are no showers, and there is a large terrace with a view. The atmosphere is bustling with climbers, lively and friendly, and the kitchen serves excellent meals, catering to vegetarians, vegans, those with food intolerances, and food lovers alike. Sleeping isn’t always easy, but you can rest.
A climb on Monte Rosa is never something you can undertake on a whim
In the morning, you will rise early—at 4 or 5 a.m. The guide will choose the time based on the weather, temperatures, and frost conditions. In about two hours, you will reach the Colle del Lys at 4200 meters, where you’ll be greeted by a stunning view of the Matterhorn. It is impossible not to stop and take in the spectacle. I can’t say it will be easy, but it’s a balanced effort that is rewarded with profound emotions. Leaving behind the Capanna Gnifetti amid the muffled sounds of the night, peering into the sleeping valleys, is the beginning of the journey. Following your guide’s footsteps with a clear mind will be the next step. The awareness of the guide’s professionalism adds significant value to the experience.
Punta Parrot
Punta Parrot stands as a prominent feature of Alagna’s skyline, with its sinuous, snow-covered ridge. While it may seem intimidating at first glance, reaching the summit is not overly difficult. The climb to the top is exhilarating and filled with emotions. After a steep ascent, you will suddenly find yourself at the summit, and at first, you might hesitate to look over the edge. From this vantage point, you will see the Valsesia 3000 meters below, a sight you would have imagined from the base of the peak.
As you traverse the crest of this 4000-meter summit, you will quickly adapt to walking along the narrow, snowy ridge. The route is straightforward and gently inclined, making the climb relatively easy. You will come to see it as a preferred pathway through the clouds, with little effort required to follow it. When you finally reach the top, you will stand at an elevation of 4434 meters.
Ludwigshöhe
From Punta Parrot, you will descend along a gently sloping route to the Sesia Col, which offers a more accessible gradient for the descent. The Col itself provides a moment of respite and a chance to take in the surrounding landscape before you embark on the ascent of Ludwigshöhe. This next section involves a short but steep climb up the smooth, rounded ridge leading to the flat summit of Ludwigshöhe, where you will stand at an elevation of 4342 meters. The route up to Ludwigshöhe is brief, but its steep nature and the effort required to climb it are significant, offering a rewarding and breathtaking experience. The knowledge that the rock marking the pre-summit is only 50 meters from the top serves as a mental boost, encouraging you to push through the final stretch and appreciate the stunning vistas from the summit of your second peak in a single day.
Schwartzhorn
From the Colle Zurbriggen, you will ascend a short but steep snow slope with an incline of about 50° to reach the summit. The final part of the climb takes you along a beautiful and harmonious rocky ridge, where the Madonnina statue stands majestically at the very tip of the peak. The careful and mindful movements required for this climb will help you focus on the moment and forget any physical fatigue. As you traverse the snow and ice, you will experience a kind of dance between your steps and the mountain. For me, mountaineering reaches its peak when the body and mind are in harmony. The physical exertion becomes secondary to the pursuit of balance and connection between yourself, the natural world, and your inner self.
The Christ of the peaks
From Corno Nero, a brief descent will lead you to the base of the rock where the imposing statue of Christ of the Peaks stands at 4161 meters. Although I typically oppose the idea of human alterations to natural landscapes, I have to confess that the statue left a profound impression on me. At 3.60 meters in height and subject to the harshest weather conditions, it was entirely white and glistening under a thick layer of ice when I encountered it. Despite my reservations about its presence, I found it to be a touching and awe-inspiring sight. The final approach to the statue involves a short climb up the rock, assisted by steps and a rope, making the ascent both straightforward and enjoyable.
Want to climb an easy 4000 meter peak in the Alps?
Monte Rosa climb. At an altitude of 4633 meters, with 21 peaks over 4000 meters, and a refuge at 4554 meters: the Capanna Regina Margherita. We love climbing Monte Rosa for a thousand reasons.
How to climb Monte Rosa? Certainly, step by step.
Mountaineering is a philosophy of life but above all, a journey that improves with practice. According to the definition given by UNESCO, which has included mountaineering in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it is "the art of climbing peaks and walls in high mountains, in all seasons, on rocky or icy terrain. It involves physical, technical, and intellectual skills, utilizing highly specific techniques, equipment, and tools such as ice axes and crampons."
It goes without saying that one does not become a mountaineer on the first climb, but through a process that progresses step by step and skill by skill, achieved progressively with each climb, improving in awareness, training, and experience. Climbing Monte Rosa is a project, a goal, driven by passion, perseverance, and determination.
How to Start if You Want to Climb Monte Rosa
By training! It is necessary to condition your body to handle elevation gains of at least 1000 meters. Trekking a few times a year is not enough. You need consistency and determination. Fatigue increases by about 25% above 4000 meters. To fully enjoy a climb at 4000 meters, it is essential to prepare adequately, constantly improving your endurance during the ascent. If you can climb 1000 meters without issues at lower altitudes, tackling the climb at 4000 meters will be a rewarding experience.
Want to train with the Monte Rosa guides? Click here.
Many times we attribute the failure of a climb to altitude sickness. When you experience fatigue and dizziness, your legs start to give out, and the weight of the climb becomes evident, it's not altitude sickness, it's a lack of training. Altitude sickness is different: you arrive at the refuge and feel nauseous, vomit, or have a severe headache, struggle to breathe, or feel dizzy without exertion. If you are struggling, it's more likely that you are not sufficiently trained. Remember that a climb should be a positive experience and not an effort beyond your capabilities. This can only be achieved by preparing with adequate awareness.
How to Prepare for Climbing Monte Rosa
Participating in a mountaineering course is certainly a wise choice. Our everyday lives do not help: we work at computers, spend hours in offices, and live in highly urbanized cities where we have lost the ability to manage ourselves in natural environments. It is essential to be informed when going to the mountains, to know how to manage safety, and to be aware of the dangers and how to navigate in an environment that is not our own. A mountaineering course is a necessary step for anyone who wants to climb Monte Rosa with awareness and caution.
Want to join a mountaineering course on Monte Rosa? Click here.
First Steps on Monte Rosa
Attempting day climbs is essential for those taking their first steps into the world of mountaineering. Monte Rosa has several "easy" 4000-meter peaks. The well-balanced Punta Giordani at 4046 meters, the Western Breithorn at 4164 meters offering a full immersion in the Matterhorn environment, the majestic Pyramid Vincent at 4215 meters, or the surprising Cristo delle Vette at 4167 meters are climbs over 4000 meters that can be tackled by beginners, provided they have adequate training. Testing yourself on these peaks before climbing higher and spending the night at altitude is a wise choice.
Want to try an "easy" climb on Monte Rosa? Click here.
The classic climbs of Monte Rosa
When you have gained awareness and training, you can tackle the most sought-after peaks. Climbing to the Capanna Margheritais a dream for many. Reaching the highest refuge in Europe at 4554 meters is an incredible experience that opens up horizons you can't imagine.
For a more comprehensive climb that takes you to a peak with majestic and unspoiled views, Castoris the best choice. The ascent involves steep sections but they are never too long, and it culminates in a short and psychologically manageable ridge, allowing you to engage with the pure essence of mountaineering.
Crossing the Naso del Lyskamm, following in the footsteps of the legendary Mezzalama, is the first alpine traverse to attempt if you want to climb Monte Rosa. The traverse of the Naso, a prominence between the Eastern and Western Lyskamm, offers a picturesque but not overly challenging route, enabling you to cross from west to east while traversing the base of an iconic peak.
Climbing Pollux requires the use of crampons and an ice axe, with sections of rock and snow climbing. It rewards mountaineers with spectacular panoramic views and is ideal for those with some high mountain experience. After a relatively easy start that allows for optimal warming up, the normal route continues with sections of II-III grade rock climbing, ending on a snow ridge. Some passages are equipped with fixed ropes to facilitate progression.
Want to climb one of the classic routes on Monte Rosa? Click here.
Challenges for Those Seeking the Best of Monte Rosa
Monte Rosa boasts many iconic peaks that tell the story of climbs and the climbers who first ascended them. Some of these climbs have become part of collective memory.
Punta Dufour is the highest peak of Monte Rosa and the highest in all of Switzerland. At 4,634 meters, it is a primary objective for mountaineers in the Pennine Alps. On the Italian side, there are two highly coveted routes:
The Normal Route: This route follows the sharp and exposed ridge of the Colle del Papa, reaching the summit ridge on mixed terrain with some third-degree rock passages.
Cresta Rey: A favorite among mountaineers, this route ascends the well-defined Rey spur in the center of the face looming over the Grenz glacier. With fourth-degree passages, it is appreciated for its technical challenge, harmonious line, spectacular views, and the variety of terrains it crosses.
The airy and elegant Lyskamm traverse is known as one of the most technical traverses in the Alps. It requires significant ice and rock climbing skills, unfolding along a sharp and often dizzying ridge that connects the Western and Eastern Lyskamm peaks. This traverse offers an extraordinary opportunity for mountaineers to test their abilities in a severe and stunning alpine environment.
This elegant and precious ascent follows the boundary between the east and south faces of Monte Rosa, combining rock and mixed terrain with accessible difficulties in a high mountain environment. This ambitious and aerial route represents one of the classic ascents of Monte Rosa and is essential in the resume of an experienced mountaineer.
Want to climb one of the classic routes on Monte Rosa? Click here.
With the rising awareness of environmental conservation, mountaineering is gaining popularity by the day. Encouraged to rekindle the connection between humanity and nature, overlooked during the industrialization of the past two centuries, we view mountaineering as a smart avenue to rediscover that lost harmony.
As we discover ourselves day by day, craving non-virtual actions and expectations to cleanse us from routine and return us to real life, we seek engagement with our roots and reinterpret them to suit our modern times. While we're conscious of this deep connection with our origins, it's equally true that 200 years of neglect have left us bereft of practical skills and knowledge. Today, we must learn what was once second nature to our grandparents. We must reclaim dexterity, practical sense, observational skills, intuition, coordination, and awareness that the virtual world has gradually taken away from us. Choose a mountaineering course and reclaim what you've lost.
Venturing into the mountains is a wonderful activity, but it requires skill.
Often, when we envision a high-altitude trek, we're drawn to the mesmerizing photos flooding social media, showcasing majestic landscapes, azure skies, and vanishing snowscapes. Yet, it's vital to recognize that beyond these picturesque images lies a journey fraught with challenges, testing our limits beyond the urban cocoon where we spend a significant chunk of our days tethered to screens.
Proper preparation is paramount, akin to any pursuit. Relying solely on luck is a perilous gamble. Venturing into the mountains ill-equipped can yield grave consequences. Particularly when seeking the mountain's rejuvenating embrace, it's imperative to steer clear of perilous situations resulting from avoidable errors unrecognized in our urban bubbles.
Selecting a mountaineering course on Monte Rosa holds significance for many reasons.
Safety: Mountaineering can be dangerous without the necessary skills. A course provides essential knowledge for safely tackling mountain challenges.
Preparation: Being well-prepared before high-altitude excursions is crucial. A mountaineering course teaches you what to bring without overpacking, ensuring you don't forget anything vital for your safety.
Terrain and Weather Assessment: Learning to assess weather and snow conditions is crucial for planning safe excursions. Knowing potential hazards and how to react in case of an accident helps avoid risky situations.
Equipment Usage: A mountaineering course teaches you how to properly use specific equipment like crampons and ropes, providing the skills to move in the mountains effortlessly and safely.
Responsible Enjoyment: While the goal is to have fun, it's important to do so responsibly and informed. A course gives you the basics to enjoy the mountain environment safely and respectfully.
In summary, taking a mountaineering course prepares you to safely and consciously face the challenges of the mountain environment, allowing you to fully enjoy the experience without unnecessary risks.
Which mountaineering course to pick on Monte Rosa?
If you're a beginner:
If it's your first experience at 4000 meters, a day ascent can be an excellent way to test your altitude resistance and determine if mountaineering is your passion. You'll have the opportunity to learn the use of crampons and ropes and acquire the basics of this beautiful "craft." Available dates are June 1st and 15th. The cost per person is €190. During the day hike to Piramide Vincent, you'll be guided through the wonderful world of mountaineering and provided with necessary basic information.
If you want to gain experience and become self-sufficient above 3500 m:
If your passion is the mountains and you want to prepare to take the step towards 4000 m by acquiring the necessary skills to independently undertake the first steps, this course is for you. The course is held on July 11th, 12th, and 13th. The cost per person is €620. If conditions permit and the group feels ready, you may even reach Capanna Margherita. Without a doubt, you'll return home with all the necessary skills to get started.
If you have experience in high-altitude mountaineering and want to take it to the next level:
If you already have mountaineering experience and are looking for an advanced course, this one is for you. We'll delve into safety techniques, ice axe usage, and crevasse rescue. Additionally, we'll tackle the Nose of Lyskamm together to test you on steep slopes in an exceptionally scenic glacial environment. The course will be held between July 18th and 21st. The cost per person is €1100.
You've dreamed of conquering Punta Dufour and are ready to tackle this challenge with determination and confidence. With a week-long mountaineering course on Monte Rosa, you'll have the opportunity to carefully test your skills and prepare yourself for the ultimate goal. At the end, you'll return home not only with a deeper understanding of mountaineering but also with the pride of having climbed the highest peak of Monte Rosa, becoming a knowledgeable mountaineer fully prepared for future mountain adventures. The course takes place with close-knit groups on a mutually agreed date. The cost per person is €2600.
"Going to the mountains is like returning and rediscovering the connection with the earth, a primal instinct that reconnects you to the origins of life.." Andrea Degasparis, Mountain Guide
Mountaineering is wonderful, it surely is. Like all useless things. No one forces you to do it, but you go, and what you find at the summit is real emotion." Ioris Turini Mountain Guide
5 reasons why you should stop scrolling your phone and start mountaineering
Climbing mountains heals your body Mountaineering requires strength, flexibility, and endurance. You will see your body transformed with balance and harmony. Muscle tone, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, and balance will be at their best.
Efforts embrace your mind Concentration, problem-solving, and determination are necessary traits for those who choose to practice mountaineering. Exercising the art of testing yourself despite fatigue is a caress for your mind's well-being. It trains you not only for success but to challenge your potential.
Determination feeds your heart The unexplored and beyond, away from habits, daily life, cities, and noise, make you feel alive. When you pursue this goal with determination, the love you receive from yourself will warm your heart with new perspectives and empathy for others.
Silence clears your doubts Walking silently in nature clears your thoughts. It shows you the right perspective to evaluate the limits of the self, facing you with the vastness of creation.
Mountaineering teaches fear In the mountains, it's normal to feel fear, but it's essential not to let it turn into panic. Fear brings with it an intensity that enhances concentration and adrenaline, and it's precisely this intensity that enriches the experience. It is crucial to manage fear so that it does not become paralyzing. Thus, by facing it, you can fully enjoy every moment and in the end, you will feel the great satisfaction of having overcome it.
How to take the first steps on Monte Rosa (and surroundings)
Our tips for getting started are simple: follow each action carefully and consciously. Every activity requires a certain level of skill, but with mountaineering, precision is essential. You must be attentive to every detail: from equipment to weather forecast, from estimated climb times to ensure you have time to return, to the thorough study of the environment you are moving in. Pay particular attention to every step because in the mountains, safety comes first.
What are the best climbs to take the first steps in mountaineering on Monte Rosa
Giordani's peak 4046 m: without technical difficulties but with fairly sustained and continuous slopes, with a short final rush to reach the rocks of the summit. Giordani's Peak is the southernmost 4000er of the Monte Rosa massif, and the view from its summit of the south wall of Monte Rosa is breathtaking!
WestBreithorn 4164 m: a total immersion in the Matterhorn environment with a fairly contained elevation gain to reach the summit.
Vincent Pyramid and the Christ of the Peaks 4215m: the peak that dominates the three Italian valleys of Monte Rosa: Valsesia, Valle del Lys, and Val d'Ayas. From its summit, the view extends from Mont Blanc to theMaritime Alps.
If you already have climbing experience, the Soldato Ridged is a must. A varied route but never particularly exposed, it is not difficult and never banal, offering a perfect mix of challenge and majestic scenery.
Would you like to join the Monte Rosa guides for a training session that not only prepares you physically but also enables you to adopt an active and rewarding lifestyle?
Write to us! We'll discuss the details of the training and the planned routes together. We'd love to provide you with all the necessary information to help you prepare and participate with the energy and dedication that such an enriching experience deserves.
Choosing the right gear depends on the ascent you've chosen, weather conditions, and expected temperatures. To best prepare yourself, consider your habits and personal needs. If you're someone who feels the cold, it's important to focus on keeping your upper body warm. If, on the other hand, your legs tend to overheat, make sure to wear lightweight, breathable clothing on the lower part of your body. The head is a critical point for body heat dispersion. If you're prone to feeling cold, ensure it's adequately covered. If you can't stand having your temples exposed or if your ears are particularly sensitive to the cold, protect them with a hat or ear covers.
When packing your backpack, make sure to bring only the essentials, avoiding excess. Carefully evaluate whether the items you've chosen are truly necessary. Reducing weight on your shoulders will make your climbs less demanding. In summary, customize your equipment according to your specific needs to ensure maximum comfort and safety during the hike.
Technical and non-technical gear
Reflecting on the considerations made, consider the following advice:
Layer your clothing, five layers are good, so you can add or remove clothes depending on conditions. In the mountains, you may be sheltered from the wind at one moment and then exposed to it at another, resulting in temperature variations.
Make sure to adequately cover peripheral parts of the body. Hands, feet, ears, and nose should be kept warm and protected.
Choose a spacious but not excessively large backpack. A capacity of around 30 liters is fine for easy climbs of one or two days. Avoid carrying unnecessary items to reduce weight on your shoulders and make walking easier.
Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with lenses that have adequate level 3 or 4 sun protection.
Pay close attention to footwear: it should be warm, stiff, waterproof, and ankle-high. You have several options to choose from, and if necessary, you can even rent them. They don't need to be the latest generation shoes, but you must ensure they protect the foot. They should not allow moisture to penetrate and should have a rigid sole to use with crampons. Hiking boots are not suitable.
Prepare the essential technical equipment: crampons, harness, rope, and ice axe are indispensable. But make sure you are well prepared and competent in using such tools.
Train, Train, Train
Approaching high-altitude mountaineering should be gradual. Training is important, but without overdoing it; it's okay to train progressively, starting with climbs on more modest elevations and gradually increasing altitude. Setting realistic and achievable goals is crucial, but most importantly, you should find happiness in the activity.
Engaging in mountaineering should be a source of joy, not another stressful commitment. Keep your mind free and open to enjoy the emotions that the journey offers you. However, it's important to approach this challenge with caution. As Andrea Tamilla, Monte Rosa guide, says, "Mountaineering is a challenge with oneself. Just as Ulysses was enchanted by the sirens, the mountaineer is also attracted by the charm of the mountain and cannot avoid it, but it is essential to be aware of the importance of returning to everyday life".
If you don't feel ready to tackle high-altitude mountaineering on your own, consider starting your journey with the help of the Monte Rosa guides. These professionals can accompany you during training and offer specific introductory courses to prepare you best.
Have you set your sights on summer 2024 as the ultimate time to chase your dream of becoming a mountaineer?
Read our training tips to reach the goal of Capanna Margherita.
The critical points to consider:
Above 3000 meters, reduced oxygen levels lead to a significant decline in physical performance, typically around 25% for well-trained individuals.
Ascending above 3000 meters transitions from trekking to alpinism, demanding meticulous preparation and consistent training.
Glacier travel necessitates technical gear such as crampons, harnesses, and ice axes, alongside specialized warm and waterproof attire.
Sleeping above 3000 meters presents challenges; arriving well-rested and mentally prepared is crucial for embracing the adventure.
Altitude-induced ailments, while not prevalent in severe forms, demand vigilance. Being capable of recognizing symptoms and knowing when to halt or retreat is essential.
Check out our advice on equipment, clothing, and altitude sickness here.
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Copy the checklist of everything that shouldn't be missed:
- 5 layers for the upper body (thermal shirt, spare shirt, fleece, heavier fleece, down jacket, windproof shell)
- 2 pairs of gloves (lightweight and ski gloves)
- windproof mountaineering pants
thermal leggings
- gaiters and mountaineering boots
- two pairs of ski socks
- hat that covers ears well
- Sunglasses with good sun protection (category 3 or 4)
- Sunscreen and lip protection
- Ice axe, crampons, and harness
- Headlamp
-Sleeping bag liner
- 1-liter water bottle/thermos
- Telescopic trekking poles
- Helmet (optional)
Pay close attention to the boots you will use.
Mountain boots must be warm, ankle-high, and waterproof. Hiking shoes are not suitable. Boots can be rented, ensuring proper footwear at a reduced price. In Alagna, you can rent boots at Base Camp at the start of the lifts.
Capanna Margherita training
Before the ascent, we recommend hiking in the mountains with around 1000 meters of elevation gain. Achieving a 1000-meter elevation gain in 3 hours is a good starting point for a successful high-altitude climb.
The Monte Rosa guides train together throughout the spring because training in a group is more motivating and enjoyable. At the end of each day, with their coaching, you'll have the opportunity to assess your progress and receive personalized advice on how to improve your preparation.
You might be physically fit but feel unprepared to use crampons or concerned about roped progression?
The Monte Rosa guides offer a three-day course to begin exploring Monte Rosa with a mindful perspective. They'll teach you to acclimate to altitude, learn to use crampons, navigate glaciers, and then together, reach Capanna Margherita after a coaching journey that will mold you into an alpinist. If you lack experience, the coaching from the Monte Rosa guides is the perfect training ground to reach the summit.
Capanna Margherita, the highest refuge in Europe, rocks!
The ascent to Refuge Margherita is the dream and mission for many mountain enthusiasts. Learn more about Margherita hut prices and advice for the climb. The desire to be outdoors, the search for adventure and social networks have turned the spotlight on this destination. However, achieving this goal requires the right mental approach and adequate preparation as the ascent to the highest refuge in Europe is pure mountaineering, and an activity which by its nature requires dedication, preparation and experience.
The trip to Capanna Margherita is a challenge with oneself, a test of resilience, a desire to satisfy, a journey into one's personal history and above all an irrational and irrepressible adventure in a direct confrontation between emotions and surprise.
It is an ascent in high mountains, which can be planned and organized but it is necessary to consider that one must indulge the moods of the wind, the snow, the altitude and sometimes it becomes necessary to know when to give up. It's a journey that begins when you start wanting it and never ends.
Is Refuge Margherita for everyone?
Do not think it is for all mountaineers, and those who do high elevation gain trekking, good fitness level, and motivation. To reach Capanna Margherita, you face an uphill difference in height of 1100 meters (consider that the climb is interspersed with a slight descent) on the day you reach the summit and therefore you need to be in good physical shape allows you to reach Punta Gnifetti in no more than 5 hours. So, the answer is no, it's not for everyone, but only for those who train and prepare with dedication.
Is it difficult to go to Capanna Margherita?
The ascent does not involve any technical difficulties in particular. There are no exposed sections and rocks to tackle; it is a long route on the glacier to be done in a roped team because it crosses large areas where there are numerous crevasses. Your guide is an expert, but the environment is impressive and walking among the fissures in the snow requires a unique ability to adapt to any given situation.
When can the ascent be done?
The climb can be done from the beginning of June to mid-September. With climate change underway, the chances of finding optimal land in June are greater than in July. From August, the drop in temperatures and possible snowfall often make the ascent easier.
Does anyone who goes up to Capanna Margherita suffer from altitude sickness?
Going up to the refuge is not in itself a certainty of getting altitude sickness, but it can be possible even if in a slight or moderate form. The real reason why we feel unwell when we sleep at the Mantova and Gnifetti refuges is not so much the altitude (about 3,600 meters above sea level), but the ability and the physiological speed of our body to adapt to the conditions of pressure and quantity of oxygen.
To reach our goal, the first 3000mt are done in just a few hours meters by car and then the ski lift and thus, our body struggles to adapt. Slowing down is the better choice.
The slower the route, the surer the guarantee of acclimatization and ultimately, also the success of the trip because reducing the hiking time means the possibility of hiking at a slower pace. Stopping for a day at 1200/1600 meters can help a lot.
I only have 2 days to do the climb: can I do it anyway?
The ascent in 2 days is the most common choice and is called the classic Margherita. To reach the refuge it is necessary to aim for a maximum of 5 hours of ascent plus 2.30/3.00 hours since the roped parties must reach the destination in good time so that the return does not take place with temperatures that are too high for the conditions of the glacier to be optimal.
How many people in the roped parties?
The maximum number allowed for an ascent to Refuge Margherita is a maximum of 5 mountaineers per Alpine Guide.
What equipment is essential for a climb to Capanna Margherita?
You need layered mountain clothing, to protect yourself at temperatures that can drop as low as -20. Clothing must be warm, comfortable and that can be added or removed. Waterproof, warm, ankle-high boots are essential. Indispensable technical equipment consists of crampons, harness, ski poles, a 30-litre backpack and an ice ax when requested by the guide who accompanies you.
Can the ascent be done only with private groups or are there group or group outings?
The ascent with a close-knit group of friends is ideal because when under stress, it is not always easy to find the correct rhythm between climbing partners, who may have different levels of preparation. However, to reduce the costs of the climb, it is possible to participate in a group climb, also called a Collective. Those who participate in a collective group must be aware that a Roped team, is a non-homogeneous group of people (max 5) who depend on each other and therefore it is necessary to adapt to the rhythm of the weakest. In case of need, if one of the participants feels unwell, the guide can evaluate, at his sole discretion, to return the whole group to the valley.
Can I do this hike without a mountain guide?
Yes, if you have experience and if you have a climbing partner with whom you share the fundamental notions of behavior and conduct of a roped party on a glacier. The ascent to the Margherita hut is considered one of the easiest 4000m, but it is still an ascent on a glacier that reaches 4554 meters; to tackle it in safety, requires mountaineering competence and knowledge of the mountains. Our Alpine guides are trained professionals, who know the techniques for walking on a glacier, they know how to evaluate the climatic conditions and the change in temperatures and know how to measure the stability of the snowpack as well as manage the psychological difficulties of people under fatigue stress.
Margherita hut prices
with 1 alpinist
1050€
with 2 alpinists
610€
with 3 alpinists
470€
with 4 alpinists
390€
with 5 alpinists
350€
Margherita hut prices for a tour with HB in the hut, lifts, UIAGM mountain guide and equipment included
Learn more about Margherita hut prices and programms to climb the 4554 m of Punta Gnifetti where Refuge Margherita stands.
With the Monte Rosa guides you will find the right route for you to reach the highest balcony of Europe, where the view gets lost between infinite peaks, while entrusting your safety to a professional and your desires to the passion of those born in these mountains.
Snow holiday, thoughts about the coming winter wonderland
Alagna
720 inhabitants, sleeps 2000, 7 restaurants, 6 bars, 2 tobacconists, 1 newsagent, 3 food markets, 3 sports shops, 2 clothing stores, 2 rental service centres, a haberdashery and a dairy.
Alagna is a small town and that is the reason why you will like it!
Monte Rosa
More than 180 km’s of ski pistes at Monterosaski, 4554 metres at capanna Margherita, 3 valleys for the linked ski area (Valsesia, Valle di Gressoney e Val d’Ayas), intertwined with 900 years of Walser history and 21 peaks above 4000 metres.
Mont Rosa is a giant, the very reason you are attracted to it for your ski holiday!
Advice and tales to get to know Alagna and truly experience it
Where to stay
Mont Rosa is what you want to see and you will not settle for any other view: you want to see it from your bedroom window, the bathroom, while having breakfast, from the garden and the parking lot. Your choice is B&B Tre Alberi Liberi: with oodles of charm, 0 km food products for breakfast and 5-star reviews!
Freeride and ski alpinism with life-long friends is your vocation: Casa Smitt is the place for you: large comfortable space, not far from the ski lift, a house that has lived through 150 years of Alagnese life without losing an ounce of its charm. Every day at 5pm a guide meeting is organized at Casa Smitt to help you find the freeride of your choice!
You’re all about home, skiing, and wellness. Zimmer Casaprati is a welcoming and cosy Walser mountain hut with a breakfast lounge, a classical stube from another era: the soapstone stove with the benches around it, surrounded by family memories and the warmth of a Walser home. But it is the spa that will surprise you: sauna, Turkish baths, chromotherapy showers and a herbal tearoom with herbs grown by Marisa, the hostess.
You have small kids and need some help to manage them. In Alagna, there is only one choice for you: Mirtillo Rosso family hotel, a paradise for little ones without neglecting mum and dad. The Reindeer Mirtillo is the mascot of the hotel, who will introduce your little ones to the magical world of the hotel elves where Christmas never ends.
You prefer to have everything close at hand.Residence Orma faces the square Regina Margherita, the beating heart of Alagna. Bars, restaurants, shops, and ski lifts are within reach and offer you modern apartments with microwaves, dishwashers, satellite TV and wi-fi
Your holiday is simply perfect when you feel at home. Stefi’s family at Residence Mary is what you need. Grandma Mariolina, homeowners Stefi and Fiorenzo, and their daughters Luisa e Mary, manage the small residence next to the parish church. Booking your stay with breakfast included at their apartments, you will be assured of being pampered with warmth and attention.
Tre Alberi Liberi
Casa Smitt
Zimmer Casaprati
Residence Mary
Do you have everything you need to know about choosing your favourite place to sleep for your snow holiday? Now, relax and read this story
Time slows down in Alagna Monterosa ski, sometimes muffled, but clearly marked by daily habits and temperatures. When it's hot, DonCarlo, a mountaineering parish priest, goes out for a walk around 10 am, when he heads up to Capanna Margherita, his favourite spot and he has gone up there 300 times already. Do not confuse him with Lorenzo, the deacon, who, despite his long black cassock, is good-humoured and kind! With the good and the bad, the tourist office is always manned by Sonia and Giulia. Sonia knows Alagna like the back of her hand because her family has been Walser for generations; for her Alagna has no secrets.
But if you want a sparkling, modern perspective, you have to listen to Giulia, who is a direct descendant of the theologian Farinetti, who went up the Signal Kuppe with Giovanni Gnifetti in 1842. Let her tell you, her story!
When it has just snowed in Chäisscheri there is no time to chat. Outside the ski lift entrance, Nancy and the girls at the coolest bar in Alagna, are ready to serve the eager skiers their shot of caffeine before hitting the powered slopes! You will definitely not see them stressed out, though. I have my first coffee of the day with them, and they always have a smile on their face.
In front of the ticket office, you will find the mountain guides of Monte Rosa:Andrea Degasparis (Dega), a hard-headed Walser, who knows just how to get you skiing like a dream, Tami (Andrea Tamilla), mountain guide always cheerful and bubbly,Sergio Gabbio, a legend to many riders, the Sbarde, narrator of the history of hunting and heliski. I’m not going to give you a list of all the guides, but you will get to know them if freerideis what brought you to Alagna.https://www.alagna.it/guide-alpine-alagna-monte-rosa/andrea-degasparis-dega/
In Alagna, time is slow, sometimes a little too much, but that is how time works in a mountain village, where everyone is part of everything.
You chose a holiday in the snow this year. What do we propose for you in Alagna?
You chose a holiday in the snow this year. What do we propose for you in Alagna?
Alagna and Mont Rosa, a bond withstanding the test of time
The tiny village and the giant mountain have coexisted for centuries: Alagna is more undisciplined while Mont Rosa is more patient; Alagna embraces the mountain and Mont Rosa protects it, sometimes it courts it, while other times it spurs it on, and very often it pursues it. The inhabitants of Alagna are aware and grateful for this relationship because it is in Mont Rosa that they identify and recognize their destiny.
In the oldest houses of Alagna, you will see a small window, which is positioned in the direction of Mont Rosa, which is only opened when someone dies, to free their souls towards the eternal glaciers; it’s the window for the soul, which indicates the right path for it to go.
(We have urged the guides of Monte Rosa to learn more about it: how, where and when you can do steep skiing on Monte Rosa)
Steep skiing: a definition
Steep skiing is the extreme expression of off-piste skiing which is done on slopes with an angle of more than 40°.
From this concept, we asked ourselves a question: what is defined as an extreme steep descent?
If it is a fact that a descent of more than 40 ° is defined as steep because it can be measured, the concept of extreme can imply different evaluations. Because it is the pleasure that everyone draws from it that defines the concept of extreme;beyond a given limit, individual pleasure is extinguished and becomes something else.
Therefore, we have reached the conclusion that first of all, it is necessary for each of us to know and realize our own limits because once it is surpassed, pleasure loses its meaning. And at this point we cannot be of any help; this is the moment we need to compare our abilities with fellow adventurers, loves, lovers, masters but above all, we need to passionately do a self-evaluation!
From cult classics to hidden gems, frequented by those who have the nerve and experience.
We decided to give you a list with comments, that focusses on what we believe is a possible point break between extreme and excess, which you will have to evaluate. The Monte Rosa guides have given us their point of view on the most beautiful descents, leaving you the task of testing your limits, to venture into the field of uncertainty and the seductive temptation of the absence of any rules.
Never forget that there are no certainties in steep skiing, only shifting variables: some are more certain such as the morphology of the terrain, but there are many changeable factors such as the quality of the snow, the weather conditions, and the psychophysical state of the skier.
We like to think that the steep skier is someone who knows how to woo the descents, who can patiently wait for the right moment, thereby minimizing the frenzy of the end result with the subtle pleasure of waiting, and all the while doing a constant self-evaluation.
The Classics
The Gran Couloir Stolemberg
A beautiful channel with sloped sections of around 40° which can only be run when the snow has settled, and it’s particularly exposed to avalanches. It has about twenty bends (the first with a "hint" of jumping) lead to rather pleasant continuous slopes of 35°. A “cool” entrance for Balma.
The Dente Bors
This run is a favourite of those nostalgic for the old Indren cable car, because it is the same route but from the ground, back upwards in what was its most evocative section. A short, but intense, couloir with some 40°bends, which descends from the plains of Balma and requires a familiarity with steep terrain. A blast from the past that should be avoided when it is hot!
The Rettilineo
It is the first channel where you can try out steep off-piste skiing. It is close to the lifts, which give you access to the legendary Balma Valley, the "Mecca" of freeride. With a difficult access of 45° with rocks outcrops, with wide slopes that allow you to get rid of the adrenaline accumulated in the few curves jumped at the entrance.
The Oblique
Really easy to spot but… so hard to find virgin and untouched! Like the Rettilineo, it requires good snow cover and excellent skiing skills. It’s a slope at a 45° angle in the first part, then it becomes easier. The right amount of adrenaline rush for the freerider who wants to quickly reach his more prudent friends who choose to ride the "easy" classic Balma.
The Miniere (Mines)
This is a side-channel of Vallone della Balma. The inclination of 35 ° is never excessive and the width of the channel makes this steep descent really wide, as long as the snow has settled well. Sometimes it can be a bit icy, so edge maintenance on equipment is essential. The name recalls the presence of mining sites on the sides of the canal. Skiers have replaced the presence of miners in just a few centuries on the Balma.
The Malfatta
A 40 m descent into the narrow and steep 45° angled entrance channel, opens the doors to homogeneous slopes between 25° and 30° for more than 1000 meters of difference in altitude. It's like that song you can listen to a thousand times!
Jakkete/Giachetti/ Jschechette
This is a particularly difficult name that creates confusion. The correct toponym is D’Ize-chetti (at the iron chain). It's a narrow and steep gully of 45° at the entrance which gradually widens and flows into the Olen valley, your first flirtation with steep skiing. It is perfect for verifying the aptitude abilities of experienced off-piste skiers who wish to try their hand at steep slopes.
The Gems
Victory
A must of all the steep winter descents of Monte Rosa. The entrance through a snow frame, the first curves at a 60 ° angle and a very exposed traverse are the towers defending the slope of Punta Vittoria, where powdery snow and a 40 ° inclination merge and give the steep skier out of the ordinary moments of glory.
Ds Likke Schloss
The meaning is “small castle” in German Walser: a sinuous canal, set between the southern bastions of Punta Vittoria with an entry at 50 ° and 800m of curves jumped at 45 ° between bottlenecks and jumps. A perfect knowledge of the area, total control of your skis and the ability to sense optimal snow conditions are necessary for those who aspire to enter the Piccolo Castello.
The Berni
Wide and gentle slopes in an isolated and wild environment are the prelude to this steep and severe 45 ° slope. The difficult location of the entrance and the exposure to the sun make it a descent that can only be wooed by skiers with experience and who know exactly what they want. This is a great descent under the Lys glacier, IN FRONT of… well, where everyone skis!
Of all the descents in Gressoney, this is the cherry on the cake.
Don’t just pick a random slope, if you don’t know which one and especially if you are not convinced! The first time you try out Steep skiing on Monte Rosa, ski with a local guide! Guide Society of Gressoney – Guide Corp of Alagna – Guide Society of Champoluc. Steep skiing must be tackled with the correct skills and the Monte Rosa guides know how to teach it!
The Monte Rosa guides do not accompany you on steep skiing, they also teach you how to do it and they pass on the necessary skills!
Can a house with a peristyle colonnade be a man’s temple?
Haste, confusion and anxiety are the common denominators of this historical period, but what if we had a choice to change to a slower rhythm and seek a new balance in a hamlet tucked away in the mountains? In Alagna we allow ourselves to be guided by Walser tradition, which has the ability to cross 1000 years of history, for that perfect balance between nature, anthropization and climate change.
Accommodation in a Walser cabin
The hotel Montagna di Luce is a renovated mountain hut with cosy, beautiful rooms and a fantastic breakfast lounge; baita Bonda is a house built in 1600. It is a short walk from the ski lift, and you can be assured of the privacy of a stand-alone apartment and a magnificent view; the residence Mirtillo Blu accommodation is the ideal place for families: it is a modern structure in a renovated Walser village and perfect for a peaceful holiday immersed in a pleasant environment. It is a classic log cabin with all the modern comforts, but it is steeped in a rich and fascinating history, the perfect solution to help you reconnect with your inner balance!
Do you know about our truly genuine products with the Deco label?
Alagna labels the cheeses and cured meats and salamis produced in the municipal area with the acronym Deco (denomination of municipal origin). What does a Deco branded product guarantee? They are products made from the animals that are raised in the pastures of Alagna. These products represent the value of sustainable development, they undergo rigorous checks, and they contribute to the management of the territory. Our advice? Ask for Deco products in the Zam Tachi and Montagna di Luce restaurants, at the Fum Diss trattoria and the Biancaneve farmhouse agritourism! We can't wait to hear your opinion
Visit our farms and buy your market products directly from the dairy farm
From October to March the cows are kept in the barn, so it is the right time to take a walk to go and visit and get to know the animals. The farm Muretto has an adopt a cow program; why don’t you pop in for a visit, strolling through the high-lying hamlets of Alagna, and discover how this family was able to nurture an ancient business successfully with innovation and devotion. The farmhouse Cascina Felice is the mecca of 0 km products (from the field to the consumer directly) where farmers Fabio Diego and Mirco produce excellent cheeses like toma, ricotta, primo sale, and butter and yoghurt. If you take walk along the beautiful trail Shenine (which means "to beautiful places” in German Walser) be sure to stop by their farmstall for a visit. They would love to meet you. In the centre of Alagna you will find the dairy shop called la Latteria. It is a farm shop where you can buy genuine and wholesome products supplied by the farm Muretto. Take our advice, try Zigru. It is a seasoned sour cheese, typically Walser. This cheese has a particular taste, but its flavour will most certainly surprise you.
Take a walk to the Walser Museum and enjoy the spectacular view of the hamlet Pedemonte
From the centre of Alagna to Pedemonte there is a footpath of about 900 m to reach the most famous and photographed hamlet of Alagna. Everybody loves Pedemonte: not only because of the perfectly preserved and intact Walser homes, the surrounding meadows and the monumental fountain set in the centre of the square which has dutifully been flowing for the past 600 years but also for the Walser museum which tells the story of a simple but harmonious life with nature. The museum is open on 7 and 8 December, from 26 December to 6 January and every Thursday from 10 to 12.30.
Go to Gressoney on the ski lifts and meet our cousins
Alagna and Gressoney are first cousins! And even if the distance between us is 200km by car, it is only 13km as the crow flies. The Lys valley and the Valsesia are joined by the Olen and the Zube passes, and these are the two passes that the Walser of Gressoney crossed 900 years ago to colonize Alagna. Travelling between the two Walser municipalities today is very simple: using the Monterosa Ski lifts you can move from one town to the other in less than 1 hour. We suggest you spend a day in Gressony and experience the similarities and differences between the two towns. How will you get there? Take the cable car to Passo dei Salati, get off at Staffal and take the shuttle to reach Gressoney in 5 minutes. The town square, with the beautiful church of S.S. Trinity and the small cemetery, the Walser eco-museum and the headquarters of the Guides of Monte Rosa is a spectacle to behold. Would you like some advice on where to take a break? We are crazy about Castore & Polluce lounge bar & wine restaurant and Wongade restaurant If you decide to stay in Gressoney for the night, at the Wongade, an original 17th century Walser house, you will find truly fascinating rooms and if you are a lover of tradition, ask for room number 2; it worth the trip!
Relax in the Flower spa in the village Baite Rosa
The small Flower spa in the village Baite Rosa have what you need to get back into shape: a Bio-sauna, massages and light therapy showers.
Buy the book Alagna Valsesia. Census of the ancient log cabins by Alrialdo Daverio…
and learn about the architecture of Alagna and its author. Daverio was the first to launch an appeal to save the surviving testimonies of that construction miracle, which makes the human landscape of Alagna a heritage to be jealously preserved. The German colony of Alagna has left us an exceptional testimony visible in the harmonious architecture of the wooden houses and in the many villages that make up this community. The book is a survey of the wooden houses of Alagna, grouped by area, photographed and each with a brief description.
A Walk among the villages of Valle Vogna
A wild and rugged valley in some places, but at the same time, cultivated and fascinating with its many Walser villages; it is a land full of contrasts and seduction. Taking a walk in the Vogna valley you are transported into a dimension in the past, where time is suspended and the slow rhythm of nature is the lord of the land; allow a guide to accompany you, the only person who can introduce you to all its secrets.
Can tourist deals be consistent with the principles of the green economy and responsible tourism?
In Alagna we are sure of it.
Clean air, healthy food, an economy without waste, a well-kept landscape, and love for the territory are all items on our daily project agenda to ensure the sustainable development of our country.
All the reasons to explain why Alagna is called the Walser Green Paradise l) Our zoning development plan provides zero consumption of new land: we have no plans for new buildings because we believe Alagna is perfect as is: harmonious in its natural balance of meadows, woods and houses, which have spanned centuries.
2) Alagna produces its own electricity; we have two turbines and we invest in the swirling of aqueducts. The consumption needs of our cableways and electricity are guaranteed with the production of electricity in summer, and we produce more energy than we consume
3) Alagna certifies the quality of typical local products with the brand called Deco (Municipal Designation of Origin). When you choose Deco-branded cheeses, cured meats and salami or butter, you are certain that they are produced from animals born and raised in the open air, in the pastures under Monte Rosa and that their quality is the highest guaranteed.
4) By 2023 Alagna will be plastic free. We are progressively abolishing plastic bottles, ensuring the potability of the water from Monte Rosa in restaurants, bars and shops, using dispensers distributed throughout the area, where you can refill your water bottle with either sparkling or still water.
5) We have expanded the parking lots at the entrance to the town and limited entry to vehicles, to ensure the right balance between necessity, harmony of the landscape and quality of life.
6) We bought e bikes, which can be rented at controlled prices at Base Camp near the entrance to the ski lifts. We want to give everyone the opportunity to travel comfortably and quickly but in a green and environmentally friendly way and integrated in a sustainable economy.
7) We have opened a a medical centre which offer services of remarkable quality, because we are aware that a destination can be labelled green only if it ensures a high quality of life.
8) We check the waste separation collection system daily to ensure that is efficient and that composting is widespread.
In Alagna we believe that our community, which has always been used to living in symbiosis with the mountains, must reconcile the strong drive for tourism with the principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability, because 900 years of Walser culture have taught us that this is our soul, our origin and the only possible future
Winter is around the corner: if you are reading this article, and ski mountaineering and freeride weekends are what dominates your daydreams; if, before you fall asleep in the evening, you find yourself scrolling for tips and advice on your mobile phone looking for the trip of your dreams and in the morning have breakfast by counting the difference in height between the top and bottom of the valley, you have landed in the right place!
The three valleys of Monte Rosa (Valsesia with Alagna, Valle del Lys with Gressoney and Val d’Ayas with Champoluc) will be your next destination for at least 5 reasons:
Monterosa Skihas equippedskilifts specifically for ski mountaineering lovers, who want to conquer their freeride descent with a glorious ski mountaineering trip! In Val d’Ayas you will find the beaten piste, which climbs up from Ciarcierio to Colle della Bettaforca.
In the Gressoney valley you have two options: ascend from Sant’Anna to Colle Bettaforca and from Gabiet up to Passo dei Salati. Going up on these tracks, allows you to then ski down the slopes and by purchasing the ski mountaineering day ticket, you can take advantage of the Frachey-Alpe Ciarcerio funicular and the Stafal-Sant’Anna cable car or the Stafal-Gabiet cable car to reach the slopes.
In Alagna, on the other hand, snow conditions permitting, you can go off-piste in the Olen valley, keeping to the left starting from Pianalunga, near the Alpenstop refuge.
There are easy itinerariesbut set in a magnificent environment. The ascent to the Zube pass and the descent into Val d’Otro wind through ancient and fascinating Walser settlements. The Bors glacier at Punta Vittoria is a marvelous viewpoint of the south face of Monte Rosa while the Bettolina Alta pass has a superb view of the Lys glacier. Capanna Gnifetti is an easy arrival point if you want to have lunch at a height of 3647 m and from here you can plan more challenging climbs. The ascent to Turlo pass guarantees only gentle slopes, while the one to the Rima pass ensures a descent in powdery snow and unexpected bowls.
If it is freeridingthat makes your heart beat, you will find the ascent on skins very easy combined with very lengthy descents. A few examples? The Zube pass, the Lost Valley and the Verra plains.
Capanna Gnifetti at 3647 m is always open from February 20 to October 30 and guarantees you access to the most coveted 4000mt peaks for ski mountaineering, so Pyramid Vincent, Capanna Margherita, Colle del Lys and a descent to Zermatt along the Grenz glacier are all within your reach. And if you are taking advantage of the winter season inQuintino Sella, a trip to Castoreis an absolute must.
The guides of Monte Rosa, whether from Gressoney Alagna or Champoluc, are professionals who know how to make you fall in love with their mountain and they are the ones you must turn to for all the advice you need. Do not hesitate to contact them: The Guide Society Gressoney; TheGuide Corp Alagna; TheGuide Society Ayas.
Which routes are the most popular for ski mountaineering?
The tour of Zermatt: the circumnavigation around Monte Rosa which in 4 days touches Alagna, Zermatt, Champoluc and Gressoney Pyramid Vincent: the trip with the most spectacular view of the eastern side of Monte Rosa and a descent with the sun in your face! Val d’Otro: if avoiding clichés is your philosophy of life, ski mountaineering in the magical Otro valley is an experience you will not expect. Capanna Margherita: the most popular ascent for mountain enthusiasts; in a winter setting it is simply magnificent Castore: a descent on perfect slopes with all the 4000mt peaks of the Alps in sight.
But which trips do the guides of Monte Rosa dream of?
We have a gift for you: the following are interviews we had with some of the guides, where we asked them what their favorite excursion was, the one they have been dreaming of since the beginning of autumn, the one they have eagerly been waiting for the perfect conditions for!
Andrea Tamilla of Alagna told us that his all-time dream descent is the Passo della Coppa. Why? Because it has all the elements that a perfect ski trip must have for him: a frozen lake, wide slopes where you can indulge in inversions and technique, a magnificent view of the Val d'Otro, which according to Andrea is the most beautiful in Alagna, and a breathtaking descent with a wild ending! Andrea says it is the perfect trip for those who like him, is first and foremost a ski mountaineer, but he appreciates the lengthy descents which, with an acceptable difference in height, can be reached from the ski lifts in the area.
Ioris Turini of Gressoney has ambitious dreams: he aims for the saddle between the two Lyskamm peaks and then continues towards the crest of the Naso peak up to the source of the river Lys. Ioris knows that climbing the Lyskamm ridge on skis will not be easy, but when his skis point downwards, he is absolutely certain his adventure will be unique. He dreams of this descent because it is a harmonious mix of solitude and adventure, preparation, and intuition. You have to be very experienced to chase Ioris' dreams. Click here to contact himto find out more.
Ioris' heart also beats for another more magically wild descent: the Crooked Man Pass. The reason? Because this is ski mountaineering in its purest form: sunny slopes, varied terrain, steep canals, which alternate with sinuous valleys and the hiking trail of Gender, a path full of poetry which evokes tales of life and adventure.
Andrea Degasparis of Alagna has no doubts: Otro! From the Coppa or canals of Granus. His dream trip is: "a wild journey in my territory ... this was where I was born and where my family has lived for generations ... ibex, chamois and partridges in the distance ... the fairytale plain of Gender ... and arriving in Alagna from a different point of view, without wheels, legwork only; a long journey immersed in nature ".
What can we say? Val d’Otro is in the heart of the guides of Monte Rosa!
Alberto Zucchetti, however has a different opinion. For him, the trip of his dreams is from the Lys pass with a descent onto the Grenz glacier. His goal: The wild environment of the high mountains and the very long descent, surrounded by the most beautiful peaks of the Vallese.
Teodoro Bizzocchi has the same objective as Alberto. For him, the Grenz glacier is a fairy-tale environment where man is not needed. When Teo thinks of this descent, he only has three adjectives in mind: grandiose, surreal and ephemeral.
If ski mountaineering is your philosophy of life, Monte Rosa is without a doubt the destination for you.
Did you know that some of the most coveted alpine skiing competitions take place on Monte Rosa?
The Mezzalama Trophy: is the highest ski mountaineering competition in the Alps and surpasses the peak of Castore (m 4226) and the Naso dei Lyskamm pass (m 4150).
The MonterosaSkiAlp: is a night ski mountaineering competition that takes place between the Ayas and Gressoney valleys on the slopes of the Monterosa Ski area
Read all the advice on ski mountaineering from the guides of Monte Rosa
Alagna and Gressoney are considered myths by most riders, who live to ski off the beaten track. A perfect freeride day between Alagna and Gressoney start here. The Indren ski station, at 3260 m, is the gateway to Monte Rosa and offers limitless adventures, which do not take into account the kilometers of groomed slopes but the hectares of virgin slopes, which the second highest mountain in Europe offer in abundance.
What are the cult descents between Alagna and Gressoney?
I can give you a list of names like: the Bettolina, the Malfatta, the Vittoria, the Salza, the Stolemberg and even names of steep exciting channels such as the Mines channel or the Jakkette, the Liekke Shlof and the Aquila channel, which are names known in the imagination of each freerider. But this is not the right approach to planning your freeride holiday.
How to organize a day of off-piste skiing?
Seize the moment, choose your goal from what the mountain offers on the day you will be on Monte Rosa. If you think of Monte Rosa as an immense playground, as a place where you can test your limits in total freedom immersed in nature, you must remember to broaden your horizons:
Do not choose a route before your arrival: organize your holiday and when you are in the valley of Monte Rosa, find your descent by evaluating the weather, the season and the temperatures. The exposure of a channel determines the type of snow, just as the wind, the cold or sudden snow shape the slopes.
Don't get stuck on a slope; the Malfatta can be a frightening descent with windy snow and the Miniere channel is nothing to write home about if the snow is compact or crusty.
day freeriding between Alagna and Gressoney is perfect if you learn to breathe in unison with the slow pace of the mountain you are skiing,listening to its whispers and following its advice.
And if you are not ready to go alone?
Put your trust in the guides of Monte Rosa.They have the same passion as you do, they were born in this valley, they know their mountain inside out; the guides of Monte Rosa and Monte Rosa understand each other at a glance, because theirs is a love story that withstands the test of time!
How do you define a perfect day freeriding between Alagna and Gressoney?
We are used to using epic phrases to define a descent in powder snow but we believe a perfect freeride day is pure adventure in right place, at the right timeshared with the right people!
Suggestions for your freeride holiday on Monte Rosa
The joy of ski touring in an environment of immense beauty balances out the dark moments of life;
Can the concept of ski mountaineering on Monte Rosa can be summed up like this?
What motivates you? Is it the silence, the stark white slopes, the rhythm of your breathing or the sport itself that urge you to put the skins on your skis and head for a summit?Or perhaps your friends, the conviviality at the stopover points or is it the solitude or the awareness of it being nothing compared to the whole of creation?
And for you reader, who have never tried ski mountaineering on Monte Rosa
Maybe you are intrigued by the idea, and want to find out more about this sport which is becoming more popular every day?
I would tell you that it is a style of free skiing but without using the ski lifts to go up, where you follow an off the beaten track with your skis as the only means of getting around.
Is this style of skiing suitable for everyone?Certainly, it is for the curious, the dreamers and the enthusiasts, who are familiar with skiing on slopes and who are not afraid to commit to finding new limits within themselves.If you thought that ski touring is only about strenuous effort and a descent on frozen snow, you are wrong.Follow the advice of the Monte Rosa guides and you will discover what fun is!
Tips and Advices provided by the guides of Monte Rosa on how to make sound choices about ski mountaineering:
Tip1: Choosing your excursion First of all, choose the itinerary on the basis of your physical abilities;it is then necessary to take into account the weather, snow conditions, slope exposure and the avalanche bulletin.
Tip2: Study the ascent route but also the descent route Make sure you study the path you have chosen first to understand if there are tricky sections that could cause some difficulty and foresee what you might need to overcome them;you have to be humble and ask for advice. Don’t forget to consider your descent route as well, which will not be on a beaten track but on a virgin slope, which you will have to be prepared for.
Tip3: Safety It is mandatory and absolutely crucial to always have an Artva, Shovel and Sonda in your bag with you.But you also need to know how to use them as it is not enough to carry them in your backpack. You must know its technology and practical use. It is vitally important to take into account the weather conditions; as well as the forecast on the days preceding your trip and plan to start climbing aware of the daily temperatures.And above all you must not overdo it: coming down late with straining and exhausted legs undermine your safety.
Tip4: Equipment To enjoy your day, use skis you know well;prepare them thoroughly by waxing them properly (a“fast” ski is an easy ski, a ski that is dry, does not slide and skiing becomes difficult).The ideal ski is fitted and has a width of 90/95 mm under foot;the length should be just slightly above your height.Choose structured skis that are not too light, they will weigh a little more, but you will be more stable! Your shoe is essential: they should be comfortable and a little soft even if this is to the detriment of downhill skiing, but it is easier to wear for many hours.The important thing is that they are warm, with a rubber sole, so as not to slip when you reach the top and stop to eat a sandwich!
Tip5: Take some lessons before jumping headfirst into your adventure Ski mountaineering is skiing on a different level, in places that are unfamiliar to you, so do not get caught unprepared.You must be able to read weather reports and avalanche bulletins;the risk of being involved in an avalanche depends 90% on our attitude and how we behave on the slopes!You must learn to know the snow and be able to objectively evaluate your resistance to fatigue;stop before you are too tired because you still have to descend.And above all, only follow the tips of professionals. The internet and word of mouth must carefully be evaluated as the advice is not always verified.
Do you have any doubts? Write to us! We know what advice and lessons you need.
Where to start your ski mountaineering experience on Monte Rosa
If you are looking for genuine locally grown products, choose the ones with the De.CO label!
The acronym can be perplexing, so allow me to reveal the mystery: it means product of Municipal Designation of Origin.
And what is it that guarantees a product has the De.Co label? For sure it is a local product, genuine and traditional, but it also has a philosophy of life:
1) they are products from animals reared in the pastures of Alagna
2) they recognise the value of a sustainable development
3) they undergo rigorous checks and controls
4) they contribute to the management of the territory
What should you do to be certain you are buying a genuine product produced in Alagna?
Check the label! All De.Ca products are wrapped in distinctive packaging so you can recognise it.
Which products have De.Co labels?
Walsechäis A typical type of Alagnese cheese of Walser tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation. It is only produced in the summer months when the cows graze in the meadows and pastures below Monte Rosa or in autumn when they feed on the hay produced during the summer. The Walsechäis can be made of goat’s milk (Gaissu Walsechäis) or cow’s milk (Chua Walsechäis).
Chuawurst
This salami is produced with meat from cows that have spent their entire lives in the pastures under Monte Rosa. The salami is seasoned and smoked with local juniper and shrubs, aged over a long time, compact and dry.
Gaissuwurst This type of salami is produced with meat from goats that were born and raised on the pastures of Monte Rosa. It can be more or less hard depending on the seasoning. Gaissuwurst, which is leaner than cow meat salami, is smoked and flavored with juniper
Der Anchu better known as shepherd’s butter
This is pure fresh cream butter from the milk of grazing cows. It has a yellow paste, a delicate and aromatic flavor with a creamy and enveloping taste in your mouth.
Walsechäis, Chuawurst, Anchu and Gaisswurst are all De.Co products
In September Alagna started off with a bang with the project of the Union of Alagnese and FAI for the redevelopment of the Scarpia refuges: it is an important project that will provide an adequate location for the assets donated 30 years ago by the engineer Mr Arialdo to the Alagna cultural association.
Perfectly preserved Walser architecture from the seventeenth century, the refuges of Daverio di Otro are a heritage to be protected and its value appreciated as a direct testimony of culture, which characterizes the history and unique and exceptional identity of this area. Thanks to the agreement with FAI, the refuges of Daverio will be renovated and restored and their historical and traditional functions reinstated. They will become the premises of a tangible and accessible testimony centred around the millennial civilization that populated these valleys.
The rooms will be set and rearranged with furnishings and objects that testify and reflect daily life, culture and tradition, to offer visitors a live experience of an unedited, engaging and educational tour of a typical Walser cabin at high altitudes. The refuges will once again become a living, inhabited and productive place, which aims to revive agriculture and breeding livestock following not only ancient tradition but also contemporary sustainability, which the Walser was able to combine in a harmonious balance between man, nature and landscape.
FAI's commitment to Alagna is part of a new long-term venture: “The Alpe Project. Italy above 600 meters”. It refers to an awareness and action campaign that will lead the Foundation to intervene, particularly regarding assets located in the upper territory of areas in the country which, today, unfortunately, suffer in a demographic, social and economic crisis. These are the areas that keep intact a rich patrimony from a historical, natural, cultural, landscape, and above all human point of view, all of which are fundamental for the future of Italy.
Reaching an agreement with Fai was a lengthy endeavour for the Unione Alagnese but it was a happy and much-desired choice since it is intimately connected to the will of the donor.
Daverio was an incredible person: engineer, fond of alpine architecture, patron, free spirit, in all, he was a man of great culture.
By donating his assets, he left Unione Alagnese a difficult task because he asked the association to pass on his heritage to future generations, to educate them and make the inhabitants of the mountains aware of the value of Walser architecture and the importance of alpine culture.
"Daverio has enriched us all," says Anna Gualdi, president of the Alagnese Union, "not only because he has given our homes an economic value but above all, because he has taught us to have respect for our past and to believe in our future".
With this foreword, and considering the widespread work of revaluation and promotion of the Italian artistic and cultural heritage done by FAI, they are undoubtedly the ideal partner for such an important venture for Alagna.
Everyday Fai provides all of us the opportunity to become patrons of special places, just like Daverio has been able to do with Alagna. It provides the tools so that our commitment can be passed on to future generations. It seems as if we can hear Daverio’s voice: conservation for the future, education and love for our past.
This deal couldn't have been any better.
Did we give you an incredible desire to go to Otro to see the start of construction?
In Otro you can stay at the Refuge Zar Senni, in the hamlet of Follu, a rustic setting but managed with love by Ivana. You can book an apartment in Zam Hus, in Feglierec, where Giulia always welcomes you with a sparkling smile. Or ask for the Baitello dei Tre Alberi Liberi in Scarpia. Hint: ask Elena, the hostess, to leave some of her little apricot tarts in your room for when you arrive. You will never want to leave
Hospice Ospizio Sottile and the story of the man who could tell the difference between the bees from Gressoney and the bees from Alagna
Whether you are on holiday in Alagna or in Gressoney, Hospice Ospizio Sottile should absolutely be on your to-do-list of essential destinations!
It is situated at a height of 2480 meters on the hill of Valdobbia, on the border between Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta, and steeped in fascination, history and hospitality since opening its doors in 1823.
The road that you must follow to reach the hospice is called The Great Road of Aosta and is also known as via Regia. It connected the Duchy of Milano with Aosta as well as the passes of the small and great San Bernardo.
While walking and exploring these quiet areas and you know how to really listen, you might be able to hear the thoughts of those who walked these very trails before you, like a parallel life right next to yours. I can’t help but think about the married couple who died on this very pass a few days before Christmas of 1820. Their names and tragic story have long since been forgotten, but it was what prompted canon Sottile to build a hospice in the area to prevent any more of such tragedies to happen and protect all travellers in the area.
It always takes pain and dreamers to achieve the impossible and it was thus that Nicolao Sottile di Rossa had a refuge built on the hill over a time span of 3 years and endowed it with an income to pay the caretaker, who lived there all year round; like a motorway restaurant of yesteryear, on a highway of the past.
The architecture is quite fascinating; austere and intimate and has survived the centuries unscathed. It has cosy rooms, a small church, a quiet room, and a ballroom. He was familiar with solitude, great parties, stories, songs, dinners, and confessions; it is so full of life that it also deserves the traces of your passing through.
Allow me to tell you my story: when I was 9 years old, I went to hospice Sottile with my grandfather. At the time the caretaker was Marino Carmellino, who was the same age and a good friend of my grandad. It was a gray day, and I was in the kitchen, sitting at the table watching the fire flash from a hole in the stove. A bee, perhaps in search of heat, began to buzz around me. Annoyed, I said to the caretaker: Mr. Marino, there is a bee buzzing around me, what should I do? He was also an extraordinary calm person, and without saying a word, slowly took the bee in his fist and replied: let's take it outside.
So, we went out into the courtyard, and without letting the bee escape, he looked inside his fist, then looked at me and said: it's not one of mine, it must be sent back to Gressoney and he freed it on the Lys valley. I must have widened my eyes so much that he just stroked my head and laughed.
The best way to enjoy the Sottile Hospice is to reach it from the Vogna Valley, on the Alagna side where the hiking path is easier and then hike down towards Gressoney. The path is steeper but prepare yourself for a surprise as the view suddenly opens up and overlooks the town with the Savoy Castle in the distance.
Whether you are on holiday in Alagna or Gressoney, consider taking a round trip. If you leave from Gressoney you can use the Monterosaski lifts to reach Alagna, if you leave from Alagna you can sleep in La Trinitè and return from Col d'Olen or Zube the next day
Geographical Coordinates of Hospice Ospizio Sottile:
Gps: 45°47’18”N – 7°51’56”E
Wgs: 45.788442 Lat. – 7.865804 Lon
The hiking trails to reach Hospice Ospizio Sottile:
From Alagna (Val Vogna) Trail no.1, Departure from: S. Antonio (1381 meters), difference in height: 1099 meters, hiking time: about 3hrs, difficulty: E
From Gressoney Trail no.11, Departure from: Gressoney S. Jean (1385 metres), difference in height: 1100 meters, hiking time: about 3hrs, difficulty: E
The white blankets of snow have given way to green grass and rich mountain vegetation, fauna has started to move about more comfortably and has already appeared to the first trekkers.
We are too are preparing ourselves and following the awakening rituals of nature! What will summer 2021 be like? It will definitely be a summer filled with enthusiasm, a strong desire to welcome you back and enjoy restarting in the safest possible way, together.
The tables and benches of the picnic areas that were scattered throughout the area have been repositioned: in the Natural Park, in Otro Valley, in Vogna Valley,to enjoy a delicious lunch or a lazy break in, complete and total harmony with nature. Enquire at the Information Office for the map or download it here.
The ski lifts will be open from Friday, 11 June, and will remain open until 12 September. This is the most awaited-for summer event that kicks off the ascents to the glaciers of Monte Rosa and the high altitude mountain huts, and facilitates the intermittent connections on foot or by bicycle with Gressoney and offers breathtaking views unique in the world! Click here for cost and timetables.
The main attraction of the month of June will be the Monte Rosa Skymarathon, an international event of great appeal that will bring together Alagnarunners from all over the world.
And for all lovers of Val Vogna and the Natural Park, the shuttles will be operative during the weekends in June and then intensify in service from the month of July onwards. See here time table for May and June
Meanwhile, the Walser Museum has opened its doors on Saturday 8 May and will be open every weekend in May and June after which they will remain open in July and August. The museum's calendar of events is getting richer and includes nocturnal appointments with lantern lighting, theatre shows and guided tours.
The events organized by Unione Alagnese "Voci nel Vespro" are back again and will run throughout the summer, and this year, Caffè '900 (theatrical guided tours) will be added, in addition to the special open-door showcasing of chapels and fractional oratories proudly displayed during dedicated guided tours. During the month of June, every Sunday will be dedicated to medium-to-difficult trekking tours on Eco museum routes which will start from the tourist office and accompanied by a tourist and environmental hiking guide.
The Presmell Association for summer 2021, on the other hand, offers courses in natural dyeing, weaving, felting, a fair linked to the reuse of wool and hemp and the much-awaited presentation of the Walser candidacy to UNESCO.
The " High altitude Flavors " food tasting events at the foot of the glaciers are absolutely not to be missed, and have already been set for the dates of 25 July, 22 August, 5 September.
The Pro Loco Riva Valdobbia is up and running again after a forced stop and is busy preparing many surprises: miacciate, artisan market in Val Vogna, “The Shepherd's snack” and “The Queen's tea”. Have we piqued your interest?
We will definitely keep you updated on everything.
… ..So, we are ready! How about you?
"Dear skiers,
while keeping the benefit of the doubt that we hope the Government can solve for us today, we can finally communicate the opening dates we have planned for our stations.
We specify that what we are about to communicate will be valid only if the current and forthcoming provisions of the law on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 allow it and as long as the Piedmont Region remains "yellow zone".
Alagna and Alpe di Mera lifts will open from Monday 15 February 2021 and more precisely:
Alagna from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Alpe di Mera from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
The following lifts and slopes will be excluded from the opening:
in Alagna: Bocchetta chairlift, Mullero and Mullero Competition slopes, the entire Wold area
in Alpe di Mera: Campo ski lift.
With next communication we will give you updates on the opening planned for these plants mentioned here.
In Valle d'Aosta, lifts and slopes will open from Thursday 18 February 2021. Therefore, the connection with Gressoney and the other lifts in the Monterosa Ski area will be closed on 15, 16 and 17 February 2021. It will be possible to ski on the slopes di Alagna up to Passo dei Salati, with an absolute prohibition on descending in Aosta Valley.
In light of the probable extension of the ban placed between the Regions, we are also waiting to know the rules that will be imposed on us for the possible use of "skis on" the entire area; we will give you news as soon as possible.
The ticket offices in Alagna and Scopello will be open on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February 2021 from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00 for informations.
Starting from 15.02.2021 ticket offices will be open every day for information, customer assistance in the online purchase procedure and for the purchase of ski passes for certain categories of users.
Starting from 15.02.2021 and in the same way, the ticket office at the Trogo on Alpe di Mera will also be open.
All ski passes can only be purchased from the Monterosa 2000 web shop, with the sole exception of the following user categories:
Ski instructors
Alpine Guides
disabled
and Teleskipass holders
We ask you, for correct use and in compliance with the rules issued by the CTS, to reach the lifts only after checking the residual availability of places for the desired day and after purchasing your ski pass online.
All the information for online purchase is available for you on this website.
The ski passes will be available for purchase, with an indication of the number of seats available for each day, starting on Saturday and Sunday.
Customers with Teleskipass will be able to use it without a reservation starting from Monday 15 February. However, we ask the owners to carefully check that the credit card inserted is valid, to avoid malfunctions and consequent gatherings.
From 18 February all Teleskipass holders will have to book their access. The methods and instructions will be announced in the coming days.
In Alagna a shuttle service will be active along the Michob car park (before the roundabout at the entrance to the town) -Palazzetto-Chiesa from 7.30-11.30 and 14.00-17.30. Information poles and signs will be posted at the stops. We remind you that the capacity is reduced to 50% by the anti COVID-19 provisions that regulate access to means of transport.
The use of shuttle buses and access to the ski lifts is subject to compliance with the contagion normatives which pertain to the personal responsibility of the individual.
We recall in particular that:
The purchase of ski passes online is mandatory, according to the availability of seats indicated by the manager
Access is prohibited in the presence of fever above 37.5 ° or respiratory symptoms attributable to the ongoing epidemic
The use of a mask is mandatory, properly covering the nose and mouth
The capacity of closed vehicle systems is reduced to 50%
The capacity of the open vehicles remains at 100%
It is mandatory to maintain a safety interpersonal distance of at least one meter
In the next few days we will be present for any need, but we ask you to check all the updates on the openings on our sites, to allow us to give everyone the necessary assistance.
We ask you to always respect them, your collaboration will be precious to resume our business in the best possible way, and to continue enjoying the skiing days that await us. Our staff will provide help and directions for compliance with the rules, which you will find displayed in the stations and on the facilities and which will be disseminated through all our means of communication.
We are waiting for you!
60 cm of snow and Alagna smiles agian. The heavy snowfall of the last days made us start again in a great way and even if the upcoming season is different from the usual, Alagna all white and silent, we tell you with pride, is beautiful.
We are ready to start a new season. Do you want to know our news? When Piedmont enters the COVID19 yellow zone, the tourist office will open; f now you can write to info@alagna.it and we will give you all the info you need.
We started hitting the cross-country track, 10 km of Monterosa view are a priority for us.
We have selected 5 bobsleigh and sled areas to make the little ones happy and, why not, the children who always live inside all of us. After 20 December it will be possible to collect your copy of the map of the dedicated areas at the tourist office or download it online on alagna.it or on the Valsesiamonterosa app so you can choose your play area in the best possible way.
We are about to open the skating rink, which appropriately sanitized and with limited admissions, will play its part in Christmas 2020.
We have decided to dedicate a beaten track in the Vogna Valley to novice snowshoers and we have ready for the more experienced the map of areas with difficulties within the reach of many.
During the Christmas holidays we will organize small groups of snowshoers dedicated to guests asking to know the silence of the woods in the company of a guide, to visit the real mountain, without fear of being inexperienced.
We are also ready with MTB tours in places accessible and usable even in winter.
For those who will spend their holidays in Alagna, we will propose the consolidated free guided tour of Voci nel Vespro, to get to know Alagna from a historical and cultural perspective, with attention to the past of our small community.
If you have thought about holidays without ski, you are wrong: ski mountaineering with the guides of Alagna is a true alternative, which will reserve forgotten surprises and mountain safety lessons could be an unexpected bet.
Your safety is our priority, our medical center is ready with quick tests in drive in and if you want to feel safer in a residence that is super attentive to prevention, You can ask for accommodation at the Orma residence or at Smitt House who offer stays with tests included.
Are you worried about restaurants in Alagna closed in the evening? we are ready with an adequate home service and you can book your dinner directly online, to be able to have it at home in a few clicks.
Alagna has a thousand-year history and a tradition for hospitality that spans 2 centuries. Together with the many limitations of this period, new opportunities are coming forward and we think that discovering an authentic and silent Alagna can be a real surprise for this end of 2020.
Alagna transform itself, re-adapting its health services to Covid emergency needs Alagna, located a rural area over 50 km from the nearest hospital, eliminate hospitalizations and guaranteeing a quick swab service, without waiting.
Alagna Valsesia is a small town located at 1200 m at the foot of the second highest mountain in Europe, Monte Rosa. Here, in the summer of 2020 the Municipality inaugurated a small but innovative medical center, collaborating with the ASL 11 of Vercelli in the organization of basic health services both for the local community and for tourists.
The hospital is manned by two IFEL nurses who guarantee on-site assistance to people who need treatment and dressings, blood sampling, pressure analysis, electrocardiogram analysis and other small checks thanks to the connection with the hospitals of Vercelli and Borgosesia. Services that, without the medical center, would have required over 50 km of road and an hour of driving to reach the nearest hospital.
Guaranteeing these health services in a rural and disadvantaged mountain area in this emergency period made it possible to keep under strict control all the weakest people, who would also have been subject to excessive risks in moving to hospitals to obtain the same services.
Hot-spot dedicated to the execution of molecular swabs
With the worsening of the Covid emergency, the Municipality of Alagna Valsesia, supported by the ASL 11 of Vercelli and by the general practitioner who works in the area, has begun a rapid transformation of the medical center, adapting to offer new services strictly connected to the health emergency and aimed at offering a hot-spot dedicated to the execution of molecular swabs for the residents of Alta Valsesia. The organization has allowed all residents of the area to receive the service with an average wait of less than two days, using a queue-free and "human-sized" drive-in and easing the pressure on the hospital's tampon point. of Borgosesia.
Rapid swab service in agreement with the SISP serving the entire territory of the Montana Valsesia Union
The continuous increase in cases also in upper Valsesia has prompted the Municipality of Alagna Valsesia to purchase 2000 rapid tampons to ensure immediate intervention in the event of outbreaks in the territory of the Municipality and the entire Montana Union, allowing an almost instantaneous verification of the cases suspicious. The choice offered an immediate response to the unexpected need to launch a screening campaign for personnel operating in the social services of the Mountain Union of the Municipalities of Valsesia and aimed at guaranteeing the negativity of OSS operators, social workers and administrative staff of the Body for the protection of assisted persons, often the elderly.
Thanks to the structure and the ASL staff of the Medical Center, in less than two days screening was also carried out on all elderly people assisted by social services, carrying out free quick swabs at the homes of the most fragile people not only in Alagna and in the main valley , but also in Val Sermenza and Val Mastallone.
Rapid tampon service at a controlled price for individuals and businesses in the area
Starting from Friday 17 November a rapid tampon service will also start at the agreed price of € 35. The service was born thanks to the collaboration between the municipality of Alagna Valsesia which purchased 2000 rapid tampons, the Alta Valsesia Pharmacy which has made itself available to manage the reservations and payment of the service offered, and the general practitioner who will certify the outcome of the swabs made.
The swabs will be carried out on Tuesdays and Fridays starting at 17:30; Reservations are required and must be made by contacting the Alta Valsesia Pharmacy at the telephone number 379.2169929 (whatsapp) or by writing an email to tamponi@alpifarma.it. Payment will be made at the pharmacy while the swab will be performed in the drive-in in the square in front of the medical center.
The goal is to guarantee an immediate response at a fair price for individuals and companies that feel the need to verify their negativity or the negativity of their workers, in order not to have to suspend their work or, more simply , remove the doubts about your state of health. All the data of the tests carried out will be entered in the national portal and any positive cases will be reported to the ASL and can be quickly verified with the molecular swab
An experience, that of Alagna Valsesia, which demonstrates how the presence in rural mountain areas of small medical facilities is essential to give rapid and concrete answers to the population even in cases of emergency such as the one we are experiencing.
The experience of Alagna can be a lean, functional and low-cost "model" of territorial healthcare for the NHS, but capable of offering high-level services even to those who live far from urban centers and hospitals. The farsightedness of the Vercelli ASL first in the establishment of the medical center and subsequently in exploiting the territorial control for the COVID emergency is allowing, until now, to offer immediate answers and to treat people from home, drastically limiting access to the hospital
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Book with Monterosa Booking, call the number 0163 1900925