Valgrisenche: Snowpark, Mountain Lakes and Tradition

Alpine Landscape around Valgrisenche

In the wild Alps, Valgrisenche offers waterfalls, alpine lakes, extensive pastures and rugged peaks. Lago di San Grato is the largest natural lake in the Valgrisenche valley and lies in the mountains at the foot of the Rutor. Cascata di Chatelet is located on the high-altitude green pastures of Valgrisenche near Usellières. The Diga di Beauregard was built in 1954; after lowering works, it was given a new appearance that blends well into the landscape.

Paths along the Valley Floor and over the Passes

The network of paths known as “sentier d’antan” No. 22 runs along the valley floor and connects the districts of the municipality of Valgrisenche. In Valgrisenche, the path leads from Planaval along the valley floor to Capoluogo, then climbs to Rifugio Chalet de l’Epée and crosses over Col Fenêtre to the pass leading into Val di Rhemes.

Winter Sports between Slopes and Natural Landscapes

At the foot of the slopes is the Valgrisenche snowpark, with one slope reserved exclusively for beginners in skiing and snowboarding, as well as another slope that is also open to sledges, bobsleds and monoski bikes. The cross-country ski trails run between the districts of Darbelley and Mondanges, follow the Dora and pass east of Capoluogo through a natural landscape characterized by larches and firs. The most popular snowshoe hikes in Valgrisenche include the routes to Verconey and Arp Vieille; equipment can be rented at the ski lift base station or in the Capoluogo shop. Valgrisenche offers numerous ski touring routes for experienced ski mountaineers, as well as easier excursions for people who would like to approach this sport in a safe environment.

Climbing Areas in the Valley

In Valgrisenche, more than 15 climbing areas extend from the entrance near Arvier to the end of the valley, with over 250 equipped routes of all difficulty levels.

Traditional Crafts and Regional Specialties

The weaving of “Drap” is a traditional craft of Valgrisenche, using sheep’s wool processed on old maple-wood looms. At the cooperative’s headquarters in the Capoluogo district, visitors can learn about the history of the traditional “Drap” and visit the exhibition “Lo drap – L’anima tessile di una comunità”. The Fontina aging cellar of Valgrisenche is located above Capoluogo and has been carved into the rock.

Paths, Memorial Sites and Festivals

The Percorso Beauregard connects Mondanges and Usellières along the reservoir and offers views of the remains of several flooded villages. The Centro di documentazione sulla Resistenza presents a photographic and documentary multimedia exhibition on the historical significance of Col du Mont as a pass between Valgrisenche and the French Tarentaise. The Festa della Madonna delle Nevi takes place every year on 5 August, with a procession to Lago di San Grato. Every July, the Valgrisenche community and the French community of Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise meet at Col du Mont, at an altitude of 2,639 metres, to celebrate their centuries-old friendship.

Getting There

Valgrisenche can be reached from Villeneuve by the “Villeneuve-Valgrisenche” bus service.

Other destinations in the Aosta Valley: Breuil-Cervinia, Cogne, Aymavilles, Aosta, Rhemes-Saint-Georges, Valtournenche, Introd and Verrand.

To the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.