First ski mountaineering experience in Pila

Are you a mountain and snow lover and are you looking for a way to experience this dimension to the fullest, away from the queues and the crowds on the slopes? Then you should try ski mountaineering, the quintessence of winter sports, according to many!

Put yourself in the hands of an expert Alpine Guide for an introductory day of ski mountaineering in Pila, one of the best ski resorts in Valle d'Aosta.

You will learn the basics of this fascinating discipline, from theuse of equipment to ascent and descent techniques, and put them into practice along an evocative itinerary suited to your level.

Get ready to experience true contact with the mountains and discover snow-covered landscapes of incredible beauty!

What we will do

We will meet at 8 a.m. in Pila, a well-known ski resort in the municipality of Gressan (AO). We will meet the Alpine Guide who will be our instructor on this exciting day of ski mountaineering and we will set off together towards the starting point of the activity.

We will begin with a technical briefing on the equipment used: skis, boots, bindings, seal skins (not included in the participation fee). Then we will move on to the equally fundamental lesson on the use of the safety kit: probe, shovel and Artva (provided free of charge by the guide).

After that, we will set off on the ski mountaineering ascent. The itinerary is chosen by the guide according to the technical and training level of the group and will involve a positive height difference of between 400 and 850 metres. During the ascent, the techniques to be used will be explained and illustrated according to the type of slope, its gradient and the type of snow.

Once we reach our destination, after an ascent that may take several hours depending on the level of the participants, we will recharge our batteries with a packed lunch and prepare for the most fun part of the day: an adrenaline-filled off-piste descent on untracked snow!

The activity has a maximum total duration of 7.5 hours and ends with the return to the starting point.

Who it is aimed at

This activity is at an intermediate/advanced level and is reserved for skiers with good aerobic ability. The ability to ski with ease on black slopes and in all types of snow (fresh, icy, spring) is required. Participation is possible from the age of 18.

Other information

This activity can be carried out from December to April, only under favourable snow and weather conditions, depending on which the departure time may also be subject to change (in which case you will be promptly notified by the guide).

Participants must arrive at the meeting already in possession of thetechnical ski mountaineering equipment (skis, boots, seal skins, knives and poles), which can be rented by reservation at the departure point of the cable car to Pila or in any other equipped shop.

The safety kit (probe, shovel and Artva), on the other hand, is included in the price and will be provided by the guide.

The activity takes place off-piste, on isolated itineraries but not far from the Pila ski area. If the technical level of the participants proves to be inadequate, the guide can take advantage of this proximity to carry out part of the descent on the piste.

In the event of particular snow conditions, a ski lift may be used to reach the starting point of the excursion.

Recommended clothing

• ski mountaineering trousers
• tights
• vest (1 layer)
• long-sleeved shirt (2 layers)
• Polartec shirt (3 layers)
• down jacket (4 layers)
• Gore Tex waterproof jacket (5° layer)
• 2 pairs of gloves, one heavy and one light
• woollen cap
• sunglasses
• ski mask
• rucksack with approx. 30 l capacity with snacks, packed lunch and hot thermos