Aosta Valley - The complete winter holiday
The Aosta Valley is located in Italy’s northwest, and easily accessed via Turin airport. This region of Italy is bordered to the west by France and the north by Switzerland, and offers skiers and boarders a very rounded holiday.
Skiers pick from a good range of resorts, including the largest and best known, Courmayeur and Cervinia; the stunning Monterosa ski region, or gems like/such as La Thuile, Pila or Valtournenche. It is absolutely possible to find accommodation in the Roman city of Aosta and ski in Pila, for a stimulating city and ski break.
Highlights of a break here are numerous. On top of varied terrain, skiers will find good value for money, delicious home-grown food, local aperitifs and wine and stunning scenery. The key peaks, and the breathtaking backdrop to your holiday are Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc); Mont Cervino (Matterhorn); Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso.
Did you know there are 19 resorts, over 800 km of slopes and 7 snow parks to enjoy in this snowsports paradise?
An area of historic significance, the countryside is dotted with medieval castles and fortresses.
Don’t miss a trip to the peak of Punta Helbronner at 3,466 m on the revolving Skyway cable car - for breathtaking views of the sublime Monte Bianco: jump on in the resort of Courmayeur.
Ski Resorts in the Aosta Valley
The Aosta Valley offers Italy’s highest skiing, and has everything from beginners’ and nursery slopes in Champoluc to intermediate skiers in Cervinia, Pila and La Thuile, whilst off-pisters head towards Gressoney. From Aosta you can also dip into Switzerland and France, via linked resorts, just don’t forget to take your passport, and if in Switzerland, you’ll be paying for your drinks in Swiss Francs.
Courmayeur
With its 18 ski lifts and 100 km of slopes, Courmayeur is a good choice for beginners and intermediates. You’ll ski on the sunny side of the spectacular Mont Blanc. The centre is a charming village, car-free and with stylish shops and bars.
Cervinia
A world-leading resort, and yet not as well known as it could be, Cervinia has access to Europe’s highest lifts and is the holder of the best snow record in Italy. The ski area links with both Valtournenche and Zermatt in Switzerland, offering 350 km of pistes overall. There are long stretches of consistently gentle runs, perfect for those who like extensive, snow-sure, sunny and easy skiing.
Monterosa Ski Region - Monterosa is known for its uncrowded slopes and fabulous off-piste terrain. With more than 100km of runs, the area is one of the world’s largest ski circuits with mixed-difficulty pistes. The area packs a huge culinary punch with family-run, on-mountain restaurants full of Italian charm. Becoming better-known, Monterosa has three unspoiled and uncrowded valleys, linked by pistes and with fab off-piste terrain. Try Champoluc, the largest resort here, with access to 180 km of pistes, surrounded by wooded terrain. Champoluc boasts spectacular views of dramatic glaciers. Gressoney La Trinité is ideal for intermediates and advanced skiers. It’s a quiet, neat little village, cobbled in the centre.
Aosta/Pila
Located above the town of Aosta, purpose-built and car-free Pila can be reached by a handy 20-minute gondola ride. With a big vertical high, superb snow-making and slopes up to 2,700m, it’s one of the most snow-sure destinations. Views of the peaks and lively après ski complete the picture.
La Thuile
The uncrowded nature of La Thuile’s ski area makes it a hugely appealing choice for advanced skiers looking to ski fresh tracks. The area is a great mix of inviting intermediate terrain, fine reds and hair-raising blacks through the trees, together with some easier slopes for beginners. Extensive, snow-sure slopes link with La Rosière in France to add variety to a week here. The resort centre is attractive with shops, bars and restaurants to choose from.
One single international electronic ski pass covers the entire area, so ambitious skiers can plan to visit more than one resort to make for a complete week of varied skiing.
Spas in Aosta Valley
The natural thermal springs in the area have been popular for health and wellbeing down the centuries. Today it’s easy to visit the natural springs of Pré Saint Didier and the Terme di Saint-Vincent, or take the whole family to the Monterosa Spa, in Champoluc. Found at the foot of Monte Rosa and facing one of the most imposing glaciers in the Alps, the Spa Centre will delight every member of the family.
1. You can enjoy uncrowded slopes in Aosta, in particular on weekdays.
2. Choose the lesser known resorts. There’s no need to head for the most famous resorts, when there’s a warm welcome and fine slopes in lesser-known places.
3. Stay in Aosta and ski in Pila. Mix culture and sport with a stay in Aosta and skiing in Pila.
4. Where to go at half-term. Aosta Valley resorts offer good value throughout the ski season, with family-run hotels for a relaxing trip. Try La Thuile.
5. What to eat and drink. Don’t miss home-made pasta, polenta, rye bread, risotto, gnocchi and local cheese here, especially Fontina, used for a fondue. Sweets include Tegole, biscuits flavoured with hazelnuts and sometimes almonds, vanilla and honey. Aperitifs and Prosecco feature more than a beer-filled evening. You’ll find long lunches and little afternoon skiing de rigeur here.
6. What is the snow like? Snow is reliable, and snowmaking is state-of-the art. Grooming here is top-notch. Pila has one of the best snow records in the Alps
7. Mountain restaurants operate specific ordering systems. Look out for bars and restaurants where you pay first then queue for food and venues operating a hybrid system of ordering at the bar, food served to your table.
Iglu Ski’s Jack Dowson, a team leader in Customer Care, travels regularly to Champoluc, Aosta. He tells us about his experience.
‘My dad brought me here when I was a child, and we used to love easy family holidays cruising around the resorts, surrounded by snowy, craggy peaks. There’s nothing like this outside Italy. I’ve always enjoyed Italian food, and once I was old enough, a glass of local red wine. Nowadays I come with my friends for a great value holiday, and know we will have lots of runs to choose from, and bars and restaurants where we can relax and have a good evening. In particular we love Champoluc, as the slopes are relatively uncrowded and many hotels are family-owned and run, for a truly personal touch.
Aosta Valley FAQs
Q How do I get to Aosta?
Iglu Ski offer flights to Turin.
Q Which is the best resort for beginners?
Head for Cervinia, Pila, La Thuile or Champoluc.
Q Which is the best resort for families?
Monterosa; Cervinia, La Thuile.
Q Which is the best resort for mixed abilities?
Something for everyone in Monterosa.
Q Which is the best resort for advanced skiers?
Head for the steeps and deeps of Gressoney or off-piste/heli-skiing heaven in Cervinia.
Q Which is the best resort for foodies?
Monterosa.
Q What lift pass do I need?
One single Aosta Valley lift pass covers all resorts. Perfect for a ski safari covering more than one resort. Or buy your local areas lift pass.
Q How busy are the slopes?
Blissfully uncrowded especially during the week.
Q How good is the snow?
Snow-sure, lots of skiing over 2700 meters, with excellent snow-making and grooming.
Q Is it good value for money?
It is excellent value for money with mountain restaurants especially reasonably priced.
Q What is the après-ski like?
Varied and classically Italian, with early evening Prosecco and antipasti.
Iglu Ski have been selling ski holidays for over 25 years and have had hundreds of thousands of happy skiers. The Iglu ski team are ski specialists and have decades of ski experience between them.
