Alagna..........

A snowHead

Ok, so I've done a bit of searching, read all the threads and am aware of the downsides to the Champoluc/Gressoney/Alagna area, but the freeride possibilities keep drawing me back to it as an option.

Is this the region that mandates avi gear? Not an issue, just curious.

I'd looked at the Sella Ronda but, all other things aside, I'm not sure the terrain is what I'm after. It just looks dull, too cruisy.

Any views?

Also, does anyone have any leads on any chalets, preferably that take solos, in the C/G/A area? Flexible on stay, maybe 10-18 nights? Be Feb time, I'm guessing.

Cheers, John.

A snowHead

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BCjohnny, we stopped by on a whim once in mid April (after an enormous snowfall), and really liked the village. Not that much was open, so I can't really comment on the skiing, but you know the reputation it has. I think the lift (and village) infrastructure is pretty basic and in need of investment (the only place we could find to hire us skis seemed to be the local cobbler), but consequently it feels a long way from a French mega-resort. It's the only place outside of Chamonix that I've seen people skiing around roped-up, and the average width of skis out on the day we were there was probably 100+... so it seemed reasonably hard-core snowHead

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Alagna has awesome terrain. I'm going back in March.

Legal or not, this is definitely terrain that requires full off-piste kit.
A mother and her child were killed less than 100m from the piste last time I was there.

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BCjohnny, my recollection is that avi kit is mandated throughout.

I haven't paid so much attention as we don't usually have the question asked. I.e., if you're off piste, you have the kit.

My (albeit limited) perception (as we haven't done any real touring there) is that it's great randonnee/mountaineering terrain but not somewhere you'd go for great off piste (unless you live in Turin and can go at the drop of the proverbial).

If you want accommodation, I'm fairly sure that Alberto at the Rifugio Guglielmina could help...he even has hot water and heating these days. Or the Grand Halte slightly down the valley, owned by the Italian mountaineering club.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

under a new name,

After all it is free

Many thanks for the replies, points and advice noted.

This, as it is one of the main reasons I'm asking, got my attention though:

BCjohnny, They have the new cable car in now that (re)opens up a fair area but I've not skied it - yet.

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BCjohnny, I should qualify "great off piste".

What I meant is (not a definitive list)...

- having a general reputation for consistent, frequent powder

- reasonably easily accessible with short walks from lifts

Alagna relies on getting the right sort of snow fall, which is not so frequent/reliable. It has a rather limited lift system. We're there quite often and the lift accessible terrain (without a guide) can have very variable snow quality (I mean, for example, the intinerary from Guglielmina to Alagna and the side pitches off it).

But if you know what you're doing in high terrain (or take a guide) and are lucky with the weather, it has some amazing terrain.

If I was thinking "Great Off Piste" off the top of my head I would think:

- Chamonix
- Verbier
- La Grave*
- St Anton*
- Whistler
- Kicking Horse*
- Espace Killy
- Don't laugh, Portes du Soleil or Grand Massif
- Andermatt (or indeed, Sedrun/Disentis)
- heli skiing Val Grisenche*

(* denotes I haven't checked out personally)

...for instance...

snow reports

under a new name

Ok, I'm understanding what you're saying better. My major concern was also obviously the snowfall, hence going to book late/last minute when the conditions are known.

Even KH can be relatively cr@p when the snows not at it's best. And Whistler. Ask me how I know..........

The impression I get for that part of the VDA is that they tend to have quite large dumps, but infrequently.

You know it makes sense.

BCjohnny, Funnily enough, my two trips to Whistler (short ones, to warm up pre heli elsewhere) were blessed with extremely cold temps and followed decent snow falls. Anywhere can be crap when the snow's crap (or it's not safe to go out).

If you can pick and choose dates at the very last minute, no worries then. Well, fewer worries anyway.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Alagna has a rather poor snow record.

But if its got the snow, the terrain is awesome, definitely a serious off-piste resort.
However, unless you have a guide, you really really need to know what you are doing.

I'd rank it right up there with La Grave and Engelberg,
with good snow, even better.
Whole different ball game to Whistler or Espace Killy type resorts.
Think a mini-Chamonix without the crowds

A snowHead

I'd echo whats been said above, if you can pick when you go its stunning. I'm lucky enough to live close enough to drive up, when its dumped. On the flipside though I've hired a guide when friends have been out to visit and he's found us good snow up to a week or so after a storm. I'd recommend these guys http://www.guidemonterosa.com/heli-guides/heliskiing_monterosa/winter/en/index.htm?navId=2970, they're in Gressony though not Alagna.

Just bear in mind that there really is nothing in Alagna for any apres ski, also the lifts linking the various resorts are liable to closure due to their altitude/exposure to wind. With regards to Avy gear, I'm fairly sure its a legal requirement everywhere in Italy now...and you'd be crazy to go without it!

Cheers

Mark

A snowHead

Great area - was there 2 years ago, and off again in Feb. The Punto Indren should open up some excellent terrain and you can bag some guided heli-skiing on MonteRosa if your wallet's up to it.

We did a last minute jobbie, staying at Hotel Lysjoch between GressoneyLaT & Staffal - excellent skii location just 50m from a chair & ski back to the door. Not much else there if you're into apres etc...

Here's a pano I took, from the Zermat side & the Gressoney side

Help!!

Alagna..........

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