Val d'Aosta
The Snow Labyrinth of Chamois, a work of Land Art in the most unspoiled Aosta Valley
In Chamois, Aosta Valley, the only municipality in the Alps that cannot be reached by car, the Snow Labyrinth, a Land Art work by Gian Mario Navillod, celebrates ephemeral art and nature. The snowy path becomes a unique experience of meditation and beauty.
By Redazione | 26/11/2024 19:18
Every year, the charming village of Chamois in the Aosta Valley, the only municipality in the Alps (and probably in all of Italy) that cannot be reached by car and where cars do not pass, is transformed into a natural theater for the Snow Labyrinth that, every winter, environmental guide Gian Mario Navillod creates in the snow that whitens the mountains around the village. This land art masterpiece is traced on the snow-covered slopes, and each year Navillod offers intricate paths through the pristine snow. Each year the labyrinth takes shape in a new way, paying homage to the marriage of human ingenuity and natural beauty.
The design of the labyrinth has often been inspired by the model of the floor of Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France, a work dating back to the early decades of the 13th century. This particular type of labyrinth, called a unicursal, has no dead ends or forks, but a single path leading to the center and back to the exit. This configuration makes it a symbol of meditation and perseverance, an invitation to embark on an inner journey through a path free of detours. In Chamois, Navillod often repurposes this or a similar design, adapting it to landscape conditions and snow features.
This labyrinth is about 30 meters in diameter, with a path that is 650 meters in total. Walking it (the distance one travels to enter is exit the maze is about one kilometer) is an experience that combines contemplation and physical activity, made even more special by the setting of the Aosta Valley Alps. Its trail, made with snowshoes and hand tools, emerges with geometric precision among the untouched snow, giving an unforgettable experience to anyone who tries to walk it.
A tradition that is renewed
Since 2016, the year of its first "edition," if we want to call it that, the Snow Labyrinth has become an expected presence in Chamois, appearing at significant moments in the winter. One of the most beloved events is on Valentine's Day, with the "Lovers' Labyrinth," a tribute to couples and romance. Located underneath the Maison Cly hotel, a few steps from the cable car that allows you to get to Chamois from Buisson, in a location that makes it easily visible even from the village (which remains a little higher up), this labyrinth celebrates love through its shape and the heart drawn in the center. Then in March there is the "Women's Labyrinth": weather permitting, it starts on March 8. In some years there has also been the Christmas Labyrinth, created for the holidays.
Each year, in essence, Navillod dedicates the labyrinth to a different theme, inspired by universal values such as love, freedom, and resilience. For example, Navillod dedicated the 2020 edition to young people in love and young Europeans, encouraging them to uphold the ideals of peace and unity in a world often marked by division. Navillod sees the labyrinth as a symbol of reflection and hope, capable of dialogue with those who walk it. And each year, on his website, he carefully documents the creation of the labyrinth, with photographs and his own texts. The site is thus also a kind of pleasant archive that preserves memories of the labyrinth since its conception.
A work of art that celebrates the ephemeral
What makes the Chamois maze particularly fascinating is its ephemeral nature. Made entirely of snow, it exists for only a few weeks, destined to disappear with the spring thaw. This transience underscores the deep connection between the work and the landscape, celebrating the balance between man and nature. The ephemerality, however, does not diminish its value: on the contrary, it enhances its appeal, drawing visitors and art enthusiasts from across the region and beyond.
For Navillod, the creative process is as important as the end result. The design takes days of study, during which the environmental guide considers every detail: from the dimensions to the geometry of the design, right down to the central symbol, without neglecting the weather conditions, of course, with the snow now following the trend of climate change , so it is not certain that even in the middle of winter it will be easy to trace the labyrinth on the snowpack. Instead, it is done in a single day when snow conditions are optimal. The simplicity of the tools-snowshoes and a good dose of skill-is offset by the complexity of the design, which reflects the harmony between human ingenuity and natural forces.
The labyrinth is not only a work of land art, which is also beautiful and interesting because it was born spontaneously, but also an invitation to experience the mountains in a sustainable and safe way. Located in avalanche-free areas, it offers a perfect path for families, groups of friends and curious hikers. The walk through the labyrinth becomes an opportunity to slow down, reflect and soak in the tranquility of the surroundings. Chamois, with its timeless enchantment and absence of cars, is the ideal place for this unique experience.
The Snow Labyrinth in Chamois is an extraordinary example of how art can enhance the area, creating an experience that blends tradition, creativity and nature. Each year, Navillod's project reminds residents and visitors of the importance of preserving alpine beauty while rediscovering the deep connection between man and the environment.
