Cheneil in winter

Cheneil is a small village high on Aosta Valley mountains (Italy, Alps).

We used to do ski mountaineering around these wonderful places, specially in late autumn/ begin of winter.
In late december, often there is fog and that day also a soft snowfall, that created a very magic atmosphere.

Here Cervino, the more beautiful mountain of Alps, appearing over the clouds with the some snowflakes.

Cheneil is located in Valtournenche.
In summer you can reach it by car, but in winter only on foot or ski.

In these pics the typical houses of the place, made by stones. A snowfall started.

Here a decoration on a wall, I think he is some saint beloved by the people of these valley.
Near Cheneil there is also the famous Clavalitè Sanctuary.

I love these red color spots against the white: I think it is an holly tree.

We started to follow a path climbing the valley with skies and sealskins under them (and someone with snowshoes).

The snowfall doesn't discourage us!
We are well equipped.

We exited the wood, here only a deep white!
Sometimes you risked to lose equilibrium, because of you didn't have any point of reference.

We followed only a shy sun over the clouds...

Going up and up, changing direction because of the slope is always higher.

We reached a pass, and this landscape appeared in front of us!

Starting the descent...

Snowfall now is weak, and the good weather is arriving!

An yellow church lost in the white, like a mirage!

We started to come back to Cheneil village, dreaming an hot chocolate!

going down following a steep path to reach the car:

Here the low Valtournenche valley, with the last clouds of the atmospheric disturbance, hanging on mountain sides, like a winter blanket:

Weather changed, and finally the blue of the sky appeared, with Cervino summit in the distance.

Happy mountain to all!

Pictures taken with Nikon D800.
13.12.2023.