With snowshoes at the Arp refuge

If you want to stay at altitude in Valle d'Aosta in winter, among pristine landscapes reachable only with snowshoes, the Arp refuge is a fantastic solution. Located in a branch of the Val d'Ayas at 2446 meters high in the middle of towering mountains, the ARP is both the destination destination for a beautiful snowshoeed by Brusson Estoul, and the starting point for other spectacular excursions (also Surveyors). For example, winter trek is memorable here described up to Punta Palasina, which offers an open panorama that also touches the Matterhorn.

But let's go with order. Brusson Estoul is one of the first towns that meet by entering Valle d'Aosta from the south, via the highway. From the exit of Verrès proceeds to Estoul, a small village at 1850 meters of altitude with three implants: it is a slightly vintage ski resort, but in a beautiful place.

From Estoul you can immediately start climbing with snowshoes following the chairlift that starts in front of the ticket office, or the energy can be saved and use the plant to reach around 2100 meters of altitude.

On the left and a few meters below the arrival of the chairlift there are stone houses. We must walk between them, following a obvious path up to the signs indicating the ARP shelter for two different directions. In winter it is better to walk in the valley, below, to eliminate avalanche risk, while the summer path (indicated by the "official" yellow signs) passes to the coast, under imposing snow-covered walls.

The splendid walk continues then in the valley of the Palasina surrounded by impressive mountains, with rocky walls and a lot of snow. To climb to the Arp refuge from Estoul they serve about a couple of hours in summer, while the itinerary takes at least two and a half hours with snowshoes at the foot (unless you used the chairlift for the first part, which does Save a good half hour).

Continuing along the path, you can admire the Valfredda tip in front of them. After walking along the Messuere Torrent, at some point the climb becomes more steeper. Some alpeggies are noticed and higher the largest building, the ARP refuge.

The ARP refuge is located in front of the steep rocky walls of the VALFREDDA tip.

In the beautiful winter weekends you will find other ski mountaineers and snowshoes intent on traveling the route from Brusson Estoul to the Arp refuge, but going up to Punta Palasina you will get more lonely more solitary, with very few traces. The climb to the Colle Palasina is quite simple, because the slopes are not too steep and, indeed, very regular.

Going up the panorama becomes more and wider, of great satisfaction. Arriving near the summit, the panorama opens spectacularly on the nearby calf horn and, more in the distance, on the majestic pyramid of Monte Cervino. Continue to the ridge to the left, paying attention not to lean too much, up to the Punta Palasina, at an altitude of 2782, from which the view reaches the maximum splendor.

The crazy warmth and the not too abundant snow on the day of our snowshoe allowed to walk along the crest without risks. Depending on the growth and any presence of ice, we must obviously pay particular attention in case of ice.

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