Alpine Guides Festival

The Alpine Guide's Festival takes place in mid-summer, precisely on 15 August, the day in which many Alpine Guide Companies in the Aosta Valley region organise events in the various localities.

It is habitual for the establishment of the alpine guide profession to coincide with the first successful ascent of the Monte Bianco by Jacques Balmat and Paccard in 1876. In fact, the year following that ascent, Balmat once again conquers the mountain peak accompanied by the scientist, De Saussure, thus giving rise to the first glorious guided ascents in the footsteps of the pioneers. In actual fact, the dawn of

profession cannot be dated with absolute precision and there are references from as early as the the year 1000 of young villagers accompanying pilgrims over the most popular alpine passes such as Colle San Bernardo. The Alpine Guide's Festival is celebrated in various Valle d'Aosta towns on 15 August with spectacular displays of mountain-climbing ability and rock-climbing techniques.