A picturesque pocket of northern Italy, the Aosta Valley offers an enviable blend of high altitude skiing, chic villages and enough intermediate and off-piste terrain to keep even the most eager of skiers and boarders happy. In addition to plenty of Italian skiing, the Aosta Valley gives you access to Swiss skiing via Cervinia (skiable) and French skiing via La Thuile (skiable) and Courmayeur (via the Mont Blanc tunnel).
Easily accessible by three airports - Turin, Milan, and Geneva - the excellent location of the Aosta Valley ski resorts means you can be in your accommodation and on the slopes within a few hours of landing - perfect for families and those looking to make the most out of a long weekend.
With lift pass deals to be found and quieter pistes to explore, it’s no wonder the Italian Alps has begun to lure in those who may have previously only looked at the more well-known French or Austrian resorts. But which of the Aosta ski resorts should be at the top of your list?
Whether you look for kilometres of piste, lively après, or peaceful backcountry, the Aosta Valley really does offer something for everyone. Read our guide on the best ski resorts in the Aosta Valley to help you decide on which resort you should be booking for your next winter holiday.
The Top Aosta Valley Ski Resorts
The Aosta Valley is dotted with larger, more commercial resorts, and smaller, local resorts. These are the top ones:
1. Cervinia
2. La Thuile
3. Monterosa
4. Pila
5. Courmayeur
Read on to discover why Cervinia, La Thuile, Monterosa, Pila, and Courmayeur are the best ski resorts in the Aosta Valley.
1. Cervinia
Why we love it: loads of skiing, lots of life
By far the largest ski area in the Aosta Valley, Cervinia teams up with Zermatt in Switzerland and the smaller Aosta resort of Valtournenche to offer skiers and boarders 360 km of piste.
Somewhat an emblem of the Alps, the Matterhorn and its exceptionally high glacier skiing means the Cervinia and Zermatt ski area guarantees a snow-sure holiday. Well known for its backcountry and with red runs covering around 70% of the resort, Cervinia (along with Zermatt), is a firm favourite among intermediate and advanced skiers.
Cervinia has a very reasonably priced local lift pass, which covers Cervinia and Valtournenche, and a full area lift pass, which covers Cervinia, Valtournenche, and Zermatt.
With incredible skiing and views to be had on the Swiss side, it’s worth spending a little more to get over to Zermatt. If you are watching the pennies, you could choose dedicated days to ski over to Zermatt and include Zermatt in your lift pass for just those days.
Cervinia key facts
- Resort altitude - 2050m
- Highest peak - 3480m
- Best for - beginners and intermediates
- Atmosphere - vibrant
- Access to - Zermatt
Staying in Cervinia
Cervinia is a bustling resort with plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops. While many will be pleased to hear that it’s a little more restrained than some of the livelier resorts of France and Austria, for those who do enjoy a party, there is still great fun to be had on and off the slopes if you know where to go.
The aptly named Après Ski Bar is located on the home run back to the village, making it the perfect pit stop for a couple (or several) drinks after a day on the slopes. And if you’re looking to carry on the party with some late night dancing, The Sound Club is open till the early hours.
For proper local food, head over to La Bricole (make sure to book as it’s super popular), while in true Italian fashion, you’d be hard pressed not to find a good pizza on or off the mountain; however, we’ve heard Ristorante Sotto Zero is extra special!
"Cervinia is significantly better priced than staying in Zermatt and you get to ski the same area. Get the full area lift pass as the best views of the Matterhorn are from the Zermatt side!" James Hardy, Ski Team Leader at Iglu Ski
"There are some great cruisy reds and blues. My favourite run is on the Zermatt side - The Red Stafelalp - which runs below the Matterhorn with amazing views." Dec Baker-Irons - Ski Sales Consultant at Iglu Ski
Getting to Cervinia
The closest airport to Cervinia is Turin, with around an hour and half to a two hour transfer time - fairly quick for a ski resort transfer. If you can’t get a flight to Turin, it’s also possible to reach Cervinia via Milan and Geneva airports, however you should allow around three hours to get to the resort from either of these.
2. La Thuile
Why we love it: Great value, high altitude skiing
La Thuile is one member of the San Bernardo ski area duo. Alongside La Rosière in France, La Thuile offers skiers and boarders over 150 km of runs, in addition to ski touring trails and extensive backcountry. With views over the majestic trio - Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and the Matterhorn - La Thuile offers some truly picturesque skiing, all while remaining much quieter than other resorts.
Thanks to its north and east-facing slopes, La Thuile’s terrain softens up nicely in the morning but is protected by shade in the afternoon, meaning the snow tends to stick around longer there than sunny La Rosière.
Lift passes for La Thuile automatically include the whole of the San Bernardo ski area and they’re not badly priced either, offering some of the best value skiing in the Aosta Valley. Pair that with high altitude skiing, treeline runs for the snowy days and a respectable (yet more low key) bar scene and you have yourself a great alternative to the French and Austrian staples.
La Thuile key facts
- Resort altitude - 1440m
- Highest peak - 2610m
- Best for - all abilities
- Atmosphere - quiet but with lots of life
- Access to - La Rosière
Staying in La Thuile
For a smaller resort, there’s a lot going on in La Thuile. In the new Planibel Complex and the old village, there’s plenty of shops and bars, a swimming pool, pool tables, table tennis, and more, making it ideal for skiers and non-skiers alike.
There’s a handy beginners’ area at the foot of the slopes, just outside the main hotel area, which is great for kids as they don’t need to carry their skis too far. There’s also a leisurely blue area at the top of the Les Suches gondola that is the perfect place to find your feet after some time off the mountain.
The rest of the resort is a haven for intermediate skiers, in particular, the Ponteilles run at the top of Mont Belvedere, which merges into the La Houva run, bringing you back right down into resort for a spot of lunch.
If you’re looking for lively après ski, La Thuile probably shouldn’t be first on your list, but there are plenty of bars to choose from to enjoy a refreshing drink after a long day on the slopes - in particular L’Altro, a gem that offers good cocktails and chilled beats.
"One of the biggest benefits of staying on the Italian side is the price difference. Food and alcohol tends to be a lot cheaper compared with France. There are a couple of very hard to find mountain restaurants which the lift attendants can advise you of their locations. These restaurants will blow you away with the quality... my favourite being Ristorante Lo Tata." Resort Reviewer
Getting to La Thuile
For a quick transfer, fly into Geneva, which will see you in the resort around an hour and half after leaving the airport. Both Turin and Milan are good options, too, with transfer times of around two hours.
3. Monterosa
Why we love it: relaxed, family friendly, and authentically Italian
Experience the charm and authenticity of quaint Italian alpine villages in the Monterosa ski area. Monterosa is an intermediate’s paradise, with the wide motorway slopes of the Champoluc-Frachey, Stafal, Gressoney-La-Trinité and Alagna-Valsesia valleys remaining comparatively quiet all year round - and particularly on weekdays.
Perfect for those who have a relaxed approach to skiing, there are around 38 mountain cafes and restaurants covering 150 km of piste, meaning you’re never too far away from a coffee, Aperol Spritz or a cold beer. Just don’t get too carried away if you’re lunching in Alagna and staying in Champoluc, as it’s a long three hour drive back if you miss the last lift!
On the other end of the spectrum, the Monterosa area is renowned for its freeriding and heli-skiing. Off the summit of Indren is the Freeride Paradise, which drops down via Orestes Hutte, an eco restaurant and hostel specialising in vegan cuisine.
If you’re looking to party into the early hours, Monterosa is probably not the right area for you, but for those who like the idea of winding down with a drink or two and tucking into delicious Italian food, the area is a must.
Monterosa ski area key facts
- Resort altitude - Champoluc: 1570m | Gressoney: 1640m | Alagna: 1,191m
- Highest peak - 2970m
- Best for - intermediates and experts
- Atmosphere - quiet, local feel
- Access to - full Monterosa ski area
Staying in Monterosa
Champoluc is the most commercial of the villages but it is still relatively quiet compared with the likes of Cervinia and Courmayeur. There is après to be found, particularly at Bruno’s Bar slightly above Champoluc village, however many people choose to grab a drink in one of the bars in the village centre.
Gressoney and Alagna are smaller than Champoluc and with their cobbled streets and local eateries, offer an even more villagey feel. This makes them ideal for families, with a couple of local ski schools offering group and private lessons for a reasonable price.
On the slopes, the place to go is Punta Yolanda in Gressoney, where you can enjoy a glass (or two) of wine and sit by a roaring log fire, while looking out at the stunning mountain vista.
For end of the day drinks, there are a few bars dotted around, but you’re more likely to be grabbing a casual drink and something to eat with the locals, rather than drinking rounds of pints and dancing to raucous music.
"The Monterosa region was the perfect resort for us as a family. There are excellent beginner areas for new skiers, while there was plenty of off piste for us parents to explore while the kids were in lessons." Simon McIntyre, Managing Director at Iglu Ski.
Getting to the Monterosa ski area
For a quick hour and a half transfer, it’s best to catch a flight to Turin, however Milan and Geneva aren’t too far away - two hours and three hours respectively.
4. Pila
Why we love it: the best of both worlds
A sprawling bowl of interlinked red runs (and a few greens and blues for the beginners in the group), Pila is the perfect playground for intermediate skiers and boarders. From windy, tree-lined reds to challenging blacks off the Pointe du Couis 2, it’s a great place to test the planks and feel the burn in your calf muscles right before a well-earned lunch time pitstop.
Pila is a modern resort with fast lifts and convenient accommodation, but is just an 18 minute cable car away from Aosta - the beating heart of the Aosta Valley and a fantastically authentic city, offering you all the Italian culture you could wish for.
A sunny bowl with a track record for great snow, Pila is a gem of a resort offering something for everyone. And if you’re a beginner just advancing off the blues, quiet motorway reds are the perfect place to grow your confidence!
Pila key facts
- Resort altitude - 1800m
- Highest peak - 2740m
- Best for - intermediates and experts
- Atmosphere - modern, yet authentically Italian
Staying in Pila
Whether it’s easy access to the slopes or being among the hustle and bustle of Aosta city, there’s plenty of accommodation to go around in Pila.
The hotels at resort level are modern and perfectly located for keen skiers who like to get on the mountain for the first lift. After a day on the slopes, you can head to one of the lively bars for some drinks or grab a pizza at one of Pila’s pizzerias.
If you’ve got non-skiers in your group or like to mix up your holiday with a bit of browsing and sightseeing, Aosta city is the place for you. The infrastructure in this part of the valley is great, so you easily get up to Pila for some quality mountain time and soak in the incredible views of Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa as you travel up to the resort.
Still relatively unknown, Pila gives you quiet slopes, incredible scenery, enough terrain to ski hard and lots of history and culture for downtime off the mountain. It really is the best of both worlds, which is why it’s one of the best resorts in the Aosta Valley.
Getting to Pila
Like the other resorts in the Aosta Valley, Pila is super-accessible. Turin is the closest airport with a transfer time of an hour and 45 minutes, but you can easily get to Pila from Geneva or Milan in about two and a half hours.
5. Courmayeur
Why we love it: play hard, ski hard
Sitting in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur’s snowy north west facing slopes, fine boutiques and enviable dining scene make the ski resort a firm favourite for short breaks. With its piste map majority red, it’s a great option for intermediates, while extensive off piste (particularly around the Vallée Blanche), heli-skiing and paraskiing attract thrill seekers and advanced skiers alike.
A short half an hour drive to Chamonix on the French side of Mont Blanc gives keen skiers even more playground, with easily a couple more days of skiing for those who want to make multiple trips through the Mont Blanc tunnel.
In 2015, Courmayeur opened the Skyway Monte Bianco, a must-visit for incredible panoramic views over the Mont Blanc region. Reserve a space and add lunch to your ticket for a totally unique gastronomic experience at 3466m.
Courmayeur key facts
- Resort altitude - 1225m
- Highest peak - 2755m
- Best for - intermediates and experts
- Atmosphere - lively, cosmopolitan
- Access to - Chamonix via the Mont Blanc tunnel
Staying in Courmayeur
A 17th century Italian spa town, Courmayeur is a chic cosmopolitan hub with enough boutiques, designer shops, and fine dining restaurants to test even the deepest of pockets. But it’s not all about the exclusivity.
Gucci sits alongside vintage clothing shops, while Michelin guide restaurants rub shoulders with traditional Italian pizzerias and pasta houses. Those looking for a lively après can head to the SuperG with DJ sets from 3pm to 6pm, or get down and boogie to 80’s hits at Club Haus 80’s after an evening of cocktails in Courmayeur’s pedestrianised centre.
As a smaller ski area, Courmayeur is the perfect choice for a short break or a multi-resort holiday with Chamonix (there are frequent buses to Chamonix). You may even wish to look into the Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass, which includes the Courmayeur ski area, Verbier, Les Houches, and more.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot going in Courmayeur for all budgets. Plus, there are good accommodation deals to be had. In fact, Courmayeur is ideal for anyone looking to avoid the purpose-built commerciality of some of the other resorts in the Alps.
Getting to Courmayeur
Just an hour and half from Geneva airport, Courmayeur is very accessible for those keen to make the most out of their first day in the mountains. The resort is also just two hours from Turin airport and two and a half hours from Milan airport.
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With the Aosta Valley benefitting from short-ish transfer times from Turin, Milan, and Geneva, it’s worth phoning up a travel agent like Iglu Ski to help you shop around for the best accommodation and flight package deals across multiple tour operators. As a team of keen skiers and ex seasonaires, we’re incredibly well-placed to advise you on the best place to go for your Aosta Valley ski holiday. Our travel consultants are there to support you, whether you need help finding the right hotel or would like the reassurance and comfort of knowing that your ski holiday has been handled by ski experts. You can call our advisors on 02031318362 between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday or 10am to 4pm on the weekend.
We also make it incredibly easy to book your ski holiday confidently and securely online. We have a fantastic collection of Italian ski hotels, apartments and chalets, including in the beautiful Aosta Valley.
