With life being slower than usual and while we are not travelling yet, why not start getting inspired and take a look at the resorts which make Aosta Valley in Italy a skier’s paradise.
The Aosta Valley boasts spectacular scenery, world-class skiing and snowboarding, food of the highest quality and a history stretching back to Roman times. At the heart of the Alps and bordered by France and Switzerland, Aosta valley is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Europe: Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the king of them all, Mont Blanc.
Courmayeur
A traditional Italian resort full of character, and surrounded by spectacular scenery. Courmayeur is steeped in history and while retaining plenty of charm, the resort is also well equipped for the modern visitor with shops, restaurants, bars galore and a fabulous après-ski scene.
Courmayeur caters for all levels of skier, offering the most variety and scope to intermediates.
However, beginners also have plenty of opportunities here, and experts will particularly love the off-piste terrain and heli-skiing opportunities. Links to Chamonix including the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car which is not only quicker but also pretty spectacular, enable skiers to venture further afield, and the numerous mountain restaurants on offer mean that stopping for a break is always a pleasure.
La Thuile
A popular choice with UK skiers, La Thuile offers both a quaint village and a modern complex accessing fabulous quiet slopes. With extensive easy slopes, and free childcare on offer, La Thuile is particularly good for families. It has ski links to La Rosière whi increases its appeal to skiers and snowboarders who want to venture a little further afield. Between the two resorts, there’s 150km of slopes on offer, served by 35 lifts.
La Thuile is a great of mix of magnificent intermediate terrain, great reds and ferocious blacks through the trees, and easy blues and good nursery slopes for beginners. Links to La Rosière create even more diversity for all skier levels – and the uncrowded nature of La Thuile’s ski area makes it a hugely appealing choice for all too, especially families, and advanced skiers looking to ski fresh tracks.
Breuil-Cervinia
With access to Europe’s highest lifts, and proud holder of the best snow record in Italy, Breuil-Cervinia is one of the world’s leading resorts. Located at the head of a long valley leading off the Aosta Valley, this high-altitude ski area links with both Valtournenche, and Zermatt in Switzerland, offering 350km of pistes overall. A welcoming village of contrasting architectural styles, it is one of Italy’s livelier après-ski resorts.
Best for beginner and intermediate skiers, but with access to Zermatt’s more challenging slopes, the ski area as whole is hugely varied with lots to offer all levels. Heli-skiing is also on the menu, as well as a large array of other exciting snow activities and a fantastic snow park. The abundance of great cruising runs here are particularly good for beginners and intermediates, and you can even ski here in the summer, too.
Gressoney
Based at the centre of the Monterosa ‘Three Valleys’, Gressoney is actually two villages: Gressoney-La-Trinité and Gressoney-Saint-Jean.
Champoluc and Alagna are also part of the Monterosa ski circuit, a large network of lifts and pistes, and some great off-piste terrain.
Despite its excellent ski area, all three resorts are unspoilt and quiet, with a friendly, authentic Italian ambience.As such, Monterosa is considered by many to be one of Europe’s best kept secrets.
From Gressoney-La-Trinité skiers can access the whole of the Monterosa ski circuit. Those staying in Gressoney-Saint-Jean have their own slopes to enjoy, including fabulous woodland skiing. Ideal for intermediates and experts, Monterosa offers mainly red runs, and amazing off-piste and heli-skiing opportunities. Snowboarders will also love the free-riding here, and cross-country skiers are spoilt for choice too. There’s also a good choice of mountain restaurants.
Champoluc
The largest resort in the Monterosa area, with great glacier views, uncrowded slopes and fabulous off-piste also known as Italy’s very own ‘Three Valleys’. Surrounded by wooded terrain and based at one end of the Monterosa ski area (with Gressoney in the central valley and Alagna on the far side), Champoluc boasts spectacular views of the region’s dramatic glaciers and peaks.
Ideal for intermediates and experts, Monterosa offers mainly red runs, and amazing off-piste and heli-skiing opportunities. But Champoluc specifically is also the best choice in the region for beginner skiers, with easy-to-reach beginners’ slopes at Antagnod.
Snowboarders will love the free-riding across all three valleys, and cross-country skiers are spoilt for choice too. There’s also plenty of good mountain restaurants for lunch in the sunshine or a quick fuel stop.
Pila
One of the most snowsure destinations in the Alps, Pila is located above the Roman town of Aosta, just a 20-minute gondola ride away. With a big vertical high, superb snow-making and slopes up to 2700m, those who love skiing in the trees will love the wooded runs here, while higher up there are fantastic open areas where the powder lies.
Most runs are red, making it the ideal ski area for intermediates, but the mountain also suits beginners, and offers more advanced skiers some good terrain too. Off-piste is a little limited but there are some great spots if you know where to find them. There’s also a good slopestyle snow park.
Cogne
Its stunning mountain back-drop and great wildlife make Cogne and the Gran Paradiso National Park the best destination for outdoor lovers and cross-country skiers. Between the vast, bright Sant‘Orso meadow and the Nordic forests of conifers and birch trees,
Cogne is one of the Aosta Valley’s prime spots for cross-country skiing. The long cross-country slopes wind under the peaks of the Grivola and the Gran Paradiso for more than 70km, some of which are illuminated. International competitions are held here like the Gran Paradiso March that winds around a 45km ring.
With Turin, Milan and Geneva airports all within easy reach, the Aosta Valley resorts are among the easiest to get to from the UK making it an ideal destination for a weekend or short break.
For more information go to: aosta-valley.co.uk
Categories: Italy