Everyone has been to the Leventina. But most people have probably just whizzed through without thinking about touring, by train or on the highway. But if you've ever looked out of the window in winter, you might have guessed that there is some wonderful downhill terrain at higher altitudes in the valley. Especially when there is a lot of snow on the southern slopes of the Alps, this region is also a hot tip for snow addicts from the north of the Alps.
The Pizzo di Sassello can be reached from the Airolo ski area via a scenic, not too long ascent. The route leads partly through sparse forest and in the upper part through the hilly terrain typical of the region, which gives the impression of a natural fun park. You can already think of all kinds of maneuvers for the descent during the ascent. A steep couloir and an exposed ridge await at the summit. The descent leads down to Piotta and is then interrupted by a short intermediate ascent, but is more than twice as long as the ascent.
Ascent
From the Airolo ski area, head flat east to the clearing of the Alpe di Ravina - ascend through partly dense forest to the hilly eastern slopes below the Pizzo di Sassello - ascend over these to below the summit - then through a steep couloir onto the SE ridge and finally quite exposed to the summit.
Descent
From the summit via the beautiful eastern slopes, keeping slightly left to the clearing of Cassina di Prato - short ascent in the direction of Pian Tatoi - then through the forest along the eastern bank of the Cascascia to Giof - on the road into the valley to Piotta.
Information
Difficulty (5-step scale): ***
Special dangers: Summit couloir at the top short to 45° and at the end over an exposed ridge, ice axe and crampons recommended.
Average steepness/maximum steepness: around 35° in places, briefly up to 45° at the end
Exposure: N/NE/E
Metres in altitude uphill and downhill: 700 HM | 1480 HM downhill (short counter-climb)
Duration ascent: 3 hours
Best time of year: December to March
Map: Touring map 27 Alta Leventina, also available here as a .pdf
Literature: Ski & amp; Snowboard Touring Atlas Switzerland, available at www.helveticbackcountry.ch
