Ski touring from the hotel with a mountain guide | Alpe Devero

We’ll meet on Thursday morning at the station in Domodossola.
From there, we’ll take a taxi together to Alpe Devero. We’ll walk the final 15 minutes through the nature reserve to the hotel. As the path up the hill to the hotel is often very icy, the hotel recommends bringing crampons.

On arrival at the beautiful and idyllically situated Casa Fontana, we leave our luggage there and get ready for our first leisurely ski tour.

A very suitable destination for the day of arrival is the Monte Cazzola, which lies at an altitude of 2,330 metres. Thanks to the ski lift, we can save ourselves half of the 700-metre climb. From the summit, we can get a first glimpse of the stunning surrounding mountain scenery, and on the descent we really immerse ourselves in the winter wonderland of Alpe Devero.

Over dinner, we’ll treat ourselves to a lovely meal and get to know each other even better as a group.

Each evening, we’ll plan the next day’s ski tour together. This way, we can react spontaneously at any time to the snow conditions and the group’s wishes and ambitions, and choose a suitable peak.

One worthwhile ski touring destination, for example, is the Monte del Sangiatto, whose summit lies at 2,383 m. This is an easy, beginner-friendly route that follows wide, gentle slopes. (800 m elevation gain, L to WS)

If our group has the ambition and stamina for a more challenging hike, the Pizzo Bandiera, which lies at an altitude of 2,817 metres and winds through alpine terrain, is a delightful destination. The view of the massive, steep rock and ice face of Pizzo Cervandone lends the setting a wild, high-alpine character. Before the final ascent to the summit, we set up a ski depot. Anyone who finds the short walk to the summit too exposed can wait at the ski depot, have a sip of tea and enjoy the view.
The north-east flank is the absolute highlight of the tour and, when avalanche conditions are safe, offers one of the most rewarding and exhilarating descents in the entire Devero area. (1,200 metres vertical, intermediate)

A suitable peak to aim for on a leisurely ski tour on the day of departure is the Punta d’Orogna, which lies at 2,447 metres. We can either use the Monte Cazzola lift again and save ourselves a fair bit of climbing, or we can really take in the scenery once more and make our way up along the Val Buscagna. To round things off, we’ll enjoy another fantastic descent.

We’ll take a taxi together down from Alpe Devero, back to Domodossola station. From here, we’ll set off on our journey home either on our own or by carpooling – with wonderful memories of the mountain scenery of Alpe Devero to take home with us.