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La Malfatta

Monte Rosa

The Malfatta is the most beautiful itinerary of the Monte Rosa area. Technical access with a rope and serious ambience make this tour very popular amongst freeriders.

Freeride Skiing Severe

Distance
4.3 km
Ascent
8 m
Descent
1.4 km
Low Point
1.7 km
High Point
3.1 km
Gradient
34˚
La Malfatta Map

The Malfatta is considered the most beautiful tour of the area because it has all the characteristics of a first class route: complex access, a steep couloir (where you will need mountaineering skills) and the fantastic descent that made this route so desirable. This is a wonderful route where you will often find brilliant snow.

Description

From the arrival of the cable car (Funifor Indren) traverse to the right heading east for five minutes to reach the arrival of the old Punta Indren cable car station. Go up behind it to reach the Bors side. A diagonal slope leads to the wide valley, keep the long diagonal pitch to your left and without losing any height, head towards the slopes bordering the rocky ridges. Go down the wide couloir and then down a slope suspended over a rocky cliff band (there is a high danger of avalanches here after snowfalls or strong windy periods). Keep to the left side of the slope and then continue to traverse left until you reach a small pass. After this pass there is a wide valley that marks the beginning of a long and straight couloir (couloir Miniere). Keep traversing to the left across the large slope and then take a short climb (five minutes) to the obvious pass of the Malfatta.

The entrance of the couloir is possible to ski with a lot of snow (it is very steep), however after a few people have skied ahead of you the snow is gone therefore it is safer to use a 60m rope to descend the couloir to reach the slope below. Traverse left on the wide slope leading to the flat at the bottom of the valley and enjoy an extraordinary 800 vertical meter descent. Due to its northern aspect, this slope holds powder snow extremely well. Follow the bottom of the valley to the Pastore hut, from here use the same route to exit the valley as the Balma classic.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

High Exposure (E3)

3 out of 4

In case of a fall, death is highly likely.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between January and April

Features

  • Trees
  • Cliffs
  • Walk Required

Equipment required

  • Rope

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area