Winter in Valcellina: snowshoes and ski mountaineering

The current winter season is giving us beautiful snow-covered landscapes and perfect conditions for the range of outdoor activities typical of this period.

The paths that in the summer we follow easily through the woods are now only practicable with snowshoes and skis: our destination on this particular day was the Pradut mountain hut, in the heart of Valcellina.

The trail and the forest road to reach the hut leave from the village of Lesis, in the municipality of Claut. The snowfalls at the beginning of the year enabled us to make use of our winter equipment right from the start of the route: some had snowshoes, others skis and skins, and together we followed the path into the woods.

The landscape in front of us was immediately fabulous: a snow-covered silence, disturbed only by the muffled sound of the branches intent on shaking off the snow covering them.

Soon we realised that the climb would not be as fast as in the summer, but the view definitely made the effort worthwhile; little by little, in an hour and a half we covered the 800 m in height separating Lesis from the hut.

The path, set in the woods along the entire route, opens out at the Pradut Hut, giving a view over the surrounding valleys that is breathtaking in every season.

After so much effort it is always a pleasure to reach the hut, where the staff soon made us feel at home. A chat and a good hot dish on the table are the best way to recharge the batteries before the return trip, which we did on the same path: for those skiing down the route ends in a few minutes, but remember to wait for your friends with snowshoes!

Information: The Pradut hut, on the days it is open, also offers accommodation, which is useful for those who want to do the other itineraries that start from this point to the surrounding peaks. During the winter season, it is also possible to request transportation to the hut by snowmobile or snowcat. Next to the hut there is the old Casera Pradut, which is open all year.