Piolet d'Or in Valle d’Aosta

2008 brings with it innovations to the Piolet d'Or. After 16 editions the world's most important mountaineering award moves out of French territory for the first time ever and across the border into Italy's Valle d’Aosta.

The presidency of the Region of Valle d'Aosta announced the move early this week, stating that the Autonomous Region will organise the 2008 edition of the Piolet d'Or, in collaboration with the co-founders of the event, the monthly "Montagne Magazine" and the "Groupe Haute Montagne". Partners of this important event will be the Casino della Vallée, the Forte di Bard Association and Grivel s.r.l.

"I would like to express my true satisfaction - commented the Region's President Luciano Caverila – about the opportunity of organising such an important event in Valle d’Aosta. For the first time it will be held outside of France and this is further confirmation of the strong ties our Region has with the mountaineering world. These bonds are not only intrinsically linked to our past history, they have also been consolidated over the years, accompanying our alpinists onto the most important mountains in the world."

This announcement undoubtedly marks an important step for the Piolet d’Or which, while still maintaining the traditional structure of those who first created it, Montagnes