New mountain huts have opened in Chardonney and at Col Flassin

The Grand Combin area has been enhanced with two new base camps for hikers and ski-mountaineering enthusiasts: the Carlo and Maurizio Fiou bivouac at Col Flassin, in the Gran San Bernardo valley, and the Chardonnay – Gruppo Alpini Bionaz bivouac, in Valpelline.

Opened at the end of August, the bivouac named after the Fiou brothers – two iconic figures of the Gran San Bernardo Valley with deep ties to the local area and the mountains – is situated at an altitude of over 2,600 metres on Col Flassin, a strategic location and major thoroughfare for hikers and ski mountaineers.

The structure, designed for short stops and as a shelter in case of need, was built using laminated timber panels mounted on an iron frame. This marks a new stage in the development of the Great St Bernard Valley, which in recent years has placed a strong emphasis on ski mountaineering, leading to a considerable increase in the number of enthusiasts who visit this border region every winter to explore the area and enjoy outdoor excursions amidst nature.

A year ago, another bivouac was inaugurated in the nearby Valpelline. This is the Chardonney – Gruppo Alpini Bionaz, situated at 2,500 metres, in another area much frequented by ski mountaineering enthusiasts. It can be reached from the hamlet of Ruz (Bionaz) by following trail 4, which passes through Alpe Berrier – a route also taken by participants in the historic Trofeo Bozzetti, which is set to return in the winter of 2025 after a 17-year hiatus.

The construction of the two bivouacs was supported by FOSMIT funds earmarked for the enhancement and development of mountain areas, and forms part of the wider Grand Combin Outdoor project, aimed at strengthening the range of outdoor activities on offer and promoting responsible use of the Gran San Bernardo and Valpelline valleys.