In snowshoes up to Arp Refuge

Verrès highway exit, climb Val d’Ayas for about 17 km to Brusson: turn right near the end of town towards Estoul and climb the road for about 7 km to the parking lot, starting point for the excursion.

Climb from the parking lot until you find the signpost for the Arp Refuge: turn left and climb the slope. After the renovated chalet, turn right and then left, following the signposts for the refuge. When you reach the ski slope, climb it on the right until you find the snow-covered road: turn left and continue to the Chanlochère mountain pasture. After a couple of turns, you’ll gain altitude where you can cross the ski slope to the Chavanne mountain pastures. Turning to the right, enter the valley under Punta Valfredda. Still climbing a couple of bends, you’ll reach the fork for Lake Litteran: ignore the fork and continue across the rugged peaks on Mont Bieteron. Be careful along this section since the steep peaks above the route and susceptible to spontaneous avalanches when snow conditions are not stable.
You’ll find a signpost at a fork at the end of the crossing: leaving the normal summer route on your right, take the long summer route that leads to the Plasina Lakes. You’ll reach a mountain pasture after a couple of curves. Turn right and then slightly to the left to the stream flowing from the Valfredda lakes. Cross the stream which may be totally covered in snow and climb the steep slope to the refuge. A last push and you’ll finally reach the Arp Refuge (2246 m).
In then event of adverse weather conditions, you should climb to the refuge along the lower paths in the Valfredda valley.