World-class skiing and snowboarding is available here, from gentle beginner areas to ferocious steeps, off-piste and heliskiing.
Home to the mighty Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa, it’s not surprising that the Aosta Valley offers fabulous opportunities for skiing and snowboarding amidst spectacular scenery. The major resorts of the Aosta Valley are Courmayeur which sits at the foot of Mont Blanc, Cervinia which overlooks the Matterhorn and links into Zermatt in Switzerland, La Thuile which links with La Rosiere in France, Pila which is just a gondola ride away from historic Aosta town and Champoluc and Gressoney which share the fabulous Monterosa ski area.
LEARN TO SKI
Most of the Aosta Valley resorts offer gentle terrain for those learning to ski or snowboard. What’s more, with fabulous Italian food, spectacular mountain scenery and ease of access, it’s a great destination for those just discovering their ski legs! Courmayeur has a dedicated beginner area with moving belts and play areas for beginners and young skiers. Champoluc also has a fantastic beginners area and would be the best destination to choose from in the Monterosa for those learning to ski or board. Pila is also a good choice for beginners with an excellent nursery slope and gentle runs like Baby Pila and Baby Gorraz. La Thuile has several nursery slopes and some easy blues to move onto once you have mastered the basics. Cervinia also offers good nursery slopes for complete beginners with easily accessible gentle blues to progress to. Ski schools are available in all resorts for those looking to improve.
FAMILY
Ease of access and good value for money makes the Aosta Valley ski resorts perfect for a family ski holiday. La Thuile has lots of easy slopes and free childcare on offer plus dedicated children’s runs and play areas (complete with animals) featuring jumps and bumps to test their skills in complete safety. Champoluc and Courmayeur have dedicated childrens / beginners areas that the kids will love, with a magic carpet lift and hoops to ski through to practice their racing skills from an early age! Cervinia has good nursery slopes and lots of easy blue and red runs for the whole family to enjoy.
INTERMEDIATE SKIING
All of the Aosta resorts offer fabulous piste skiing and intermediates really will be spoilt for choice. Courmayeur has lots of wide open runs which intermediates will love as well as great red runs and some more challenging routes for lots of variety. There’s also lots to choose from for intermediates in the Monterosa ski area – both in Champoluc and Gressoney – with lots of cruisey red runs, as well as some gentle off-piste and some bumps for those looking for the next challenge. Cervinia is another intermediates playground with scenic, wide, perfectly groomed blues and some nice gentle reds on offer. With most of the slopes red runs, Pila is another intermediates dream with plenty of well-groomed wooded runs through birch trees. Uncrowded and with plenty of cruisey blues, great reds and scenic tree skiing to be found, La Thuile also hits the spots for intermediates.
EXPERT SKIING
For expert skiers, the Aosta Valley resorts will not disappoint! Gressoney is the home of Italian off-piste skiing, linking to Alagna where you’ll find the most challenging runs and magnificent off-piste terrain, best skied with a guide. Champoluc also has some great off-piste, steeps and bumps to be found. Off-piste enthusiasts will also love Courmayeur, with fantastic powder opportunities to be found on the slopes of Mont Blanc. Experienced skiers can access off-piste runs to Chamonix including the famous 20km Vallée Blanche run. Cervinia has good off-piste terrain, steep gulleys, and links to Zermatt. Or head to La Thuile for great off-piste, steep blacks, and the legendary Berthod downhill run. Racers are well catered for in Pila where there’s a timed slalom run and race training opportunities.
SKI TOURING
With 178 mountain guides and numerous mountain huts spread throughout the valley, the Aosta region is a popular place for ski touring. Perhaps some of the best known are accessed from Courmayeur, where the Toula and Vallee Blanche begin from the top of the Mont Blanc cable-car (the latter takes you all the way down to Chamonix).
HELISKIING
The Aosta valley is one of the few places in Europe that you can go heliskiing – and for a good price too in comparison to other parts of the world where heliskiing is permitted. From Courmayeur, there are several heliski excursions across the valley allowing you to really make the most of the fabulous off-piste terrain on offer. Heliskiing is also available from Gressoney for those wanting to explore the Monterosa on another level, with superb off-piste opportunities and an incredible heliski area available. La Thuile also offers reasonably-priced heliskiing with heli-lifts available across the Aosta region.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Extensive cross-country skiing is available throughout the Aosta Valley and is a great way to connect with nature while taking in the fresh mountain air and beautiful alpine landscapes at a leisurely pace. For those wanting to try it for the first time, equipment can be hired and lessons are available and there are plenty of easy well-groomed trails available.
SNOW-SHOEING
For non-skiers or those looking to try another snow activity, snow-shoeing is a great way to experience the mountains at a relaxed pace. Slow down, stop, watch and enjoy the peace and serenity of the mountains. Take time to enjoy the snowy landscapes and silence all around you. Connect with nature and discover the alpine wildlife which call this place home. A wonderful way for all ages to explore this winter wonderland!
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING PACKAGES
Be it a short break or a weeks holiday, a resort stay or a ski safari taking in more than one Aosta Valley resort, start planning your perfect winter trip! Take a look at our Aosta Valley ski and snowboard packages to get you started.