The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Aoste

This is an excellent extension that enhances the already enjoyable journey to the Grand Saint Bernard Hospice. It's great for beginner ski tourers looking to get more out of the day with a few turns....

This itinerary know as "Il Giardino" is a quite easy freeride line that can be skied from Seggiovia Sarezza. It is not too steep and is quite enjoyable for skiers who have not ventured off-piste extensively....

A very easy freeride itinerary that is suitable for skiers looking for their first off-piste line. Very gentle and wide slopes. Ski the Sarezza slope for about 300m, then traverse on your left to enter the offpiste under a rock bar....

Expert or beginner off piste you can have fun no matter what your ability and this run is an ideal place to start. This is an expert's warm up run or a beginner's opportunity to practice steep (ish) skiing technique....

This was another bad weather day for us, with 100km N winds at 2500m, so remaining high avalanche risk. A proper mountain agenda was not on the cards. In better conditions you would probably want to do a different previous day, ending up in Bourg St Maurice, then from there following the valley to the N, past Les Chapieux, then over the Col de Seigne, into Val Veny and down to La Palud....

Clearly this is not the route choice you would take if you had stable slopes and a good forecast. In the event we had a howling N wind and temperatures that were -17C in the hut in the morning, so inevitably digit-threatening frostbite conditions....

This is a nice little run to do between piste shreds. If you are spending the day with a beginner group of friends in Pila, this run is so easy to jump on to and leave when you approach the chair lift....

This route starts at the Grand St Bernard Monastery; in winter you'll have to skin up to this but in early summer, you can drive up to the Monastery and then (if there's still enough snow) do this tour....

This is a fantastic, relatively low altitude ski tour which is often skiable in November and therefore makes an excellent early season option. Start in the tiny, quiet village of Arpy and follow the Arpy cross country skiing track south from the village and into the forests....

This little off-piste route is a wonderful way to feel like you are away from the crowds and the piste without having to hike or head far into the backcountry. When you get off the Alpe Ostafa chair lift on the left hand side, begin to head down the Sarezza Contenery C6 run....

This line runs through Vallone Sarezza, it needs a lot of snow to cover the rocks underneath. It's a nice freeride line but you should read the terrain before skiing down because sometimes avalanches could start....

This line is more isolated than the others but it offers a great view on Monte Rosa. In order to reach this line you have to ski the piste Contenery for the first 300m, when it narrows close to the side net you have to go to the left....

This section- (you cant quite call it a run, as it simply isnt long enough) should be one you do with a playful spirit; see it as a chance to nurture your inner child....

Due to its high altitude parking, the Col Sereina can be a good day tour from early in the winter until late in the season. It can be a good choice in variable visibility as the navigation is fairly straightforward and a lot of it is in the trees....

The Rifugio Chabod is set right in the heart of the Gran Paradiso national park. In the past the park was a personal hunting ground for King Vittorio Emmanuel II but it is now there for everyone to enjoy and to protect the wildlife....

This is by far the most satisfying way of skiing back to Pont and Valsaverenche from the Vittorio Emanuelle hut. If you skied Gran Paradiso the previous day or have time and spare energy the same day it makes an excellent finale! The Vallone Della Seyva is steep sided with big slopes above you so consider the avalanche conditions and the time of day you will ski down carefully....

For such a little area, this run is only a suggestion, this half moon crescent basic offers so many options. There are a few jumps, steeper sections and its the freestylers version of freeride....

Ths route is a fun and playful descent but more advanced freeriders may find it too safe, for those still finding their freeride thighs, you have an element of comfort being so close to the piste, in fact just a stones through away but have the chance to experiment with speed, and on some of the natural and man-made features....

A classic mid winter day hit that is often done after significant snowfall. The terrain is easy angled and the navigation is fairly straightforward making it a popular choice in poor weather....

As a base for ski touring it does not come much better than the Val di Rhêmes and the Rifugio Benevelo. There are no cable cars and although the area is popular in springtime it never feels crowded....