Alagna Valsesia - The freeride resort
Alagna is internationally famous for being the freeride capital of the Alps. Its claim "freeride paradise" strongly testifies this. There are endless routes for freeriders in a breathtaking landscape. The reason for this great quantity of possibilities is in the particular morphological shape of the main valley, steep but at the same time with several lateral smaller valleys "Comb shape" which permit a huge exploitation of the territory. Thanks of the amazing difference in height form the top of the ridges (Monte Rosa is 4600m) to the bottom of the valley (Alagna itself is only at 1191m) you have a huge slope to cover.
It is very difficult to name the best rides: however the majority of the itineraries are around the Punta Giordani 4046m and the wild area of the Malfatta 2914m are probably some of the best freeride itineraries in the entire Alps.
The ride Balma which crosses the entire Bors Valley form Indren 3260m to Pastore Hut 1575m is one of the most famous, like all the other alternatives routes starting from Passo dei Salati 2979m: Canale a Y, Canale Rettilineo, Canale Obliquo, Canale Longhez, all around the 45°. The Balma itself, from its starting point at Indren 3260m has the first part in a narrow couloir around 45°-50° of steepness, then you have around 2500m of difference in height from the beginning to the end of the route in a breathtaking, wild landascape, close to Monte Rosa 4638m the second highest peak in the Alps. There are other itineraries in the fantastic Otro Valley (Passo Zube S3+, Passo della Coppa S3+, Canale Jschechette S4+), close to Corno Bianco 3,320m. Extreme rides are Perazzi Couloir along Punta Parrot 4436m (55°) and Sesia Couloir between Punta Gnifetti 4559m and Punta Parrot.