From November to May the mountains of Aosta Valley are covered in snow and turn into a true skimountaineering paradise. Every lateral valley offers incredible sceneries, with the potential of never ending descents and wild valleys which have a wide offer of opportunities: from itineraries which are ideal for beginners to more difficult alpinism routes. A territory which is so abundant in possibilities deserves to be explored and discovered but always with a good dose of knowledge.

This guide book has the aim of becoming a compass for skimountaineers who are seeking adventure. From north to south it covers all of Valle d’Aosta offering 101 itineraries for all tastes: from super classic to the most sought after itineraries. Divided into 7 macro areas, it analyses all excursions from valley to valley.

It begins with the Mont Blanc chapter which covers Val Veny, Val Ferret and the area of Planaval above La Salle. Here the itineraries are characterised by breath taking views over the glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif. The book then continues with the Rutor chapter, the mountain which overlooks the valley of La Thuile and Valgrisenche, a true skimountaineering mecca. Then it is the turn of the Gran Paradiso area which includes the three valleys of Rhêmes, Valsavarenche and Cogne. Wild valleys with interesting loop itineraries which are made possible even thanks to the various mountain huts which are open during the spring season. The orographic right hand side description of the book ends with the Champorcher section, these areas are not as popular but just as evocative. From here it starts to climb up the Valle d’Aosta on the opposite side with the Matterhorn – Monte Rosa area making this area a necessary stop for those who love and appreciate four thousand metre peaks. You then reach the Coumba Freida sector, a true gem with ascents and descents for all tastes and levels in the valleys of Valpelline and the Great Saint Bernard valley. Finally, the Central Valley chapter closes the guide book, describing itineraries which set off from various communes of the central valley such as Mont Fallère above Vetan or Becca di Nona above Pila.

Deborah Bionaz, from Valle d’Aosta born in 1995, lives in Cogne in the heart of the Gran Paradis massif. Journalist, translator and copywriter, she collaborates with specialized publishers and magazines. Tour manager of the cinema festival “Montagna in Scena”, you can meet her during her tours around Italy. Otherwise she is on her local mountains; during winter on skis and holding ice axes, during summer wearing crampons or climbing shoes. She loves explorative skiing, the kind you climb up for hours, often without ever getting anywhere, but with the satisfaction of seeing new places.

Ilaria Sonatore, born in 1985, geologist, AINEVA snow scientist, and assistant to artificial avalanche blasting. Currently she manages a small B&B not far from Mont Blanc in Valle d’Aosta, her region of origin. When she is not busy welcoming guests in her bed and breakfast, she enjoys skimountaineering, climbing on ice and rock, freeriding and alpinism on her local mountains.