Rifugio Giorgio Bertone

Rifugio Giorgio Bertone is a mountain hut (rifugio) located at approximately 2,000 metres above sea level in the Val Ferret side valley, within the municipality of Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley, Italy. It sits in the locality of Mont de la Saxe, in the heart of the Pennine Alps, directly facing the Mont Blanc massif. The hut was built in 1982 in memory of Giorgio Bertone, an alpinist and mountain guide who died in a plane crash in 1977 beneath the summit of Mont Blanc du Tacul. It is a key stop on the Alta Via della Val d'Aosta No. 1 and the Tour du Mont-Blanc, and is also accessible from the hamlet of Plampincieux or Villair via Val Sapin. The rifugio offers traditional Aosta Valley cuisine, with polenta and fontina as signature dishes, and provides accommodation with 50 beds according to its official website (the German Wikipedia lists 42 beds). It has 120 seats at the table and is typically open from mid-March to early May and from early June to late September; the official website for 2026 lists opening from 8 June to 20 September 2026. The hut is managed by Fier Mont Blanc s.a.s. di Lorenzino Cosson & c., a private company. It is a popular base for hikers and climbers, offering access to peaks such as Mont de la Saxe (2,348 m) and Testa della Tronche (2,584 m), and connections to other huts including Rifugio Walter Bonatti and Rifugio Maison Vieille. As a commercial brand, Rifugio Giorgio Bertone represents a hospitality and mountain guiding service rather than a product line. Its identity is tied to the legacy of Giorgio Bertone and the alpine tradition of the Courmayeur region. The hut's website and online booking system allow visitors to reserve stays, and it maintains a strong presence in the mountaineering community. The business is seasonal, reflecting the typical operation of high-altitude refuges in the Alps.

The Rifugio Giorgio Bertone was inaugurated in 1982, built in memory of Giorgio Bertone, an alpinist and mountain guide who died in a plane crash in 1977 on the Freney Glacier below the summit of Mont Blanc du Tacul. The hut was constructed at an elevation of 1,979 metres (according to German Wikipedia) or 2,000 metres (according to the official website) in the locality of Pré Mont de la Saxe, within the municipality of Courmayeur, in the Val Ferret side valley of the Aosta Valley. Since its opening, it has served as a key stop on the Alta Via della Val d'Aosta No. 1 and the Tour du Mont-Blanc, two of the most famous long-distance hiking routes in the Alps. The hut is managed by Fier Mont Blanc s.a.s. di Lorenzino Cosson & c., a private company. Over the years, it has become known for its traditional Aosta Valley cuisine, particularly polenta with fontina, and for its hospitality, offering 50 beds and 120 seats at the table. The hut typically operates from mid-March to early May and from early June to late September, although specific dates vary; for 2026, the official website lists opening from 8 June to 20 September 2026. The rifugio remains a popular destination for hikers and climbers, providing access to peaks such as Mont de la Saxe (2,348 m) and Testa della Tronche (2,584 m), and connections to other refuges including Rifugio Walter Bonatti and Rifugio Maison Vieille.

• 2026

  The hut is scheduled to be open from 8 June to 20 September 2026.

• 1982

  Rifugio Giorgio Bertone is inaugurated in memory of Giorgio Bertone.

• 1977

  Giorgio Bertone dies in a plane crash on the Freney Glacier below Mont Blanc du Tacul.

Authentic alpine hospitality in a historic hut with spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif, catering to hikers and mountaineers.

• Overnight stays

  50 beds available for hikers and mountaineers.

• Traditional Aosta Valley meals

  Polenta with fontina and other local specialties served in a 120-seat dining room.

1. 1Official websiterifugiobertone.it
2. 2Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3German Wikipediade.wikipedia.org