On the night of December 22, 2017, in Bardonecchia, Italy, a young migrant lies exhausted on the ascent to Colle della Scala — one of the snow-covered passes that lead to the French border. After reinforced police controls closed off the routes of Ventimiglia and the Fréjus tunnel, many began attempting the crossing through the high mountains. In freezing temperatures and deep snow, the journey is not just a physical challenge but a stark symbol of desperation: the risk of frostbite, injury, or even death set against the hope of reaching safety and dignity on the other side. This reportage documents a fragile human passage through one of Europe’s harshest frontiers, where migration, borders, and survival collide.