Punta Croce (2478m), Valle d'Aosta, Italian Alps
An excellent short ski journey giving a magical 'powder tour' through open Larch forest to a majestic view of the Valle d'Aosta & south side of the Mont Blanc massif. This is a real early season favorite with many ski tourers based in Chamonix and can be combined with other objectives to make a longer day or just enjoyed alongside the excellent coffee and cake in the tiny high alpine village of Arpy.
Facts & Figures
- Starting Point: Arpy (1690m) above Morgex in the Italian Valle d'Aosta. About 40 mins from Aosta itself and 50 mins from Chamonix
- Height: 2478m. Approx 775m of skinning and ski descent. A great introductory ski tour with options for much more challenging variations
- Time: 2-3 Hours in ascent
- Aspect: A wide range of aspects and angles are possible from the summit meaning that, with care, this can be a good choice in heavy or varied snow conditions
- Season: In a good season, December - March / April
- Angle: Generally quite gentle but with sections up to around 30 degrees on the initial descent and in the tress, depending on the line taken.
- Ski Ability: Reasonable off-piste skiing ability
- Equipment Notes: Standard ski touring gear. No glaciers or tricky mountaineering terrain
Route Notes
- This is not a steep or difficult tour and can provide a good alternative when the higher mountain itineraries of the Mont Blanc massif are storm bound. It is however a superb ski tour in its own right and Punta Croce's stategic position in the Valle d'Aosta gives fantastic views out of all proportion to its height.
- A little height can be gained by starting this tour at the Colle S. Carlo (1951m) but infact Arpy itself provides a good base camp with a welcoming cafe, car park and pleasantly easy start along the forest ski de fond track.
- After a steady ascent through the forest the beautiful Lac d'Arpy is reached at 2231m. Here, those bound for the longer journey to Mont Colmet continue south whereas the route for the Colle della Croce makes a rising traverse to the south west.
- Gaining the col at 2381m provides superb views across to the La Thuile Ski area and famous 'Colle del Piccolo S. Bernardo' (The pass that leads from the Italian resort of La Thuile to the French resorts of La Rosiere and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
- The summit now lies just a short steady climb away to the north east from where the views across to the huge south faces of 'Monte Bianco' and the Grandes Jorasses are impressive.
- In poor visibility or if you are concerned about snow conditions the surest route of descent is via the ascent route. Otherwise a variety of aspects can be skied from almost due north through east to south. A useful landmark for the descent is the 'wart like' wooded gnoll just north of Lac d'Arpy.
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