Where to ski in Aosta Valley: emotions at high altitude

Can such a small region have four such high mountains? Yes, and they are all Italian scenery. Here is one of the many reasons why you should look for where to ski in Aosta Valley.

Monte Bianco, at 4,810 metres, is the highest mountain in Europe. It is rivaled by Monte Rosa, at 4,634 metres. Cervino also stands out, with 4,478 metres. Gran Paradiso closes with 4,061 metres.

From such a majestic backdrop, you would expect well-equipped resorts that respect the beauty of nature. Val d'Aosta is all this, you just have to find the best location for you and decide where to ski in Aosta Valley.

Breuil Cervinia is nicknamed the rooftop of the Aosta Valley, because it reaches 3.480 metres and offers a unique view. This is where the Pista Ventina begins, an 11 km descent from Plateau Rosà to Cervinia, at 2.000 metres. It reaches the valley and ends in Valtournenche.

It is possible to ski from autumn until late spring, taking advantage of the 350 km of slopes between Cervino and Monte Rosa. With a valid identity document and a ski pass that also allows skiing on the Swiss side, it is possible to cross the border.

Breuil Cervinia offers more slopes for intermediate skiers, but it also has routes reserved for experts and paths for other activities. The Indian Park is loved by snowboarders. On Plateau Rosà it is also possible to practice summer skiing: the height of the slopes means that the snow is in excellent condition and a good 26,5 km of slopes can be enjoyed.

Still not convinced that this is the right choice when deciding where to ski in Aosta Valley? Consider also cross-country skiing: at an altitude of 2050 m in Breuil Cervinia you have a 3 km track, in Valtournenche a 4 km track and in Maen a 6.5 km track awaits you.

La Thuile is well organised, with modern lifts and wonderful mountain huts where you can have a pleasant break. It offers 160 km of slopes, combined with the French ones, with a special ski pass. Thanks to the northern exposure of the slopes and the excellent snowmaking system, it is always pleasant to ski here.

In the factors that help you choose where to ski in Aosta Valley, you should consider the spectacular environment you will find: the views of the Rutor glacier and the Mont Blanc chain are priceless.

More daring skiers can try their hand at the Tre Franco Berthod slope, one of the most difficult in Italy with its 73% maximum gradient. Fans of cross-country skiing will find a school camp and 4 loops of 3-5-7,5 and 10 km.

La Thuile offers many tourism-related activities. The Pré-Saint-Didier thermal baths are very popular and appreciated. Children can have fun in two playgrounds and two snowtubing tracks that are served by tradmills.

At the foot of the Monte Rosa Massif lies the Monterosa Ski area. It extends over three valleys and offers many activities in all seasons of the year. The variety of proposals and slopes is a plus when choosing where to ski in Aosta Valley

You can cross the entire area by skiing. The slopes start from Champoluc and Frachey in Ayas Valley, from Gressoney-La-Trinité in Gressoney Valley, from Alagna and Alpe di Mera in Valsesia. Shuttle services will take you to other resorts in this magnificent area: Antagnod, Brusson, Champorcher and Gressoney-Saint-Jean.

A further advantage is the snowmaking system, which allows you to go wild on the slopes even when the natural rainfall is inadequate. The refreshment points at various altitudes will be a pleasant stop to enjoy the culinary delights of Valle d'Aosta, and their terraces allow you to take home an enviable tan that will not go unnoticed!

Very easy to reach, Pila is connected to the city of Aosta by a cableway near the motorway. In 17 minutes you can ascend to an altitude that allows you to admire the main Aosta Valley peaks, from Monte Rosa to Monte Bianco. The ski area offers 70 km of slopes that reach up to the 2.750 m of Couis. The climate is not too cold as the slopes are sheltered from the wind, so it is an excellent choice when thinking about where to ski in Aosta Valley.

Activities are also dedicated to children. Behind the arrival station of the Aosta - Pila cableway is the Fun Park Chacard: a 114-metre treadmill leads to two slopes, one dedicated to snow tubing, the other reserved for bobsleighs and sledges, while in a separate area the youngest children are free to play in total peace.

Courmayeur is one of the most famous locations, loved by those who want to combine skiing with shopping and nightlife. Its ski area, thirty slopes between Val Veny and the Chécrouit plateau, is mainly dedicated to alpine and downhill skiing. Its  Skyway is also famous, the innovative cable car that takes you to Punta Helbronner, in the heart of Monte Bianco and allows you to reach Chamonix.

It is also possible to practice cross-country skiing in the rings of Val Ferret, as well as other winter sports: snowshoeing, climbing icefalls, snow golf, skating, hockey and curling.

Courmayeur is often the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of where to ski in Aosta Valley, precisely because it has many resources and it is very loved by VIPs.

This characteristic village, in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, is dedicated more to cross-country skiing. It offers 80 km of trails divided into 12 loops between Epinel, Lillaz and Valnontey that wind through fir forests. Cogne is also renowned for the international competitions that are organised, such as the Marcia Gran Paradiso and the World Cup of cross-country skiing.

Another activity that can be practised around Cogne is ice climbing: there are 150 natural icefalls, with varying degrees of difficulty, located in Valnontey, Valeille, the Grauson valley and Dry Tooling in the hamlet of Moline.

Among the resorts to consider when looking for where to ski in Aosta Valley, Cogne offers direct contact with nature, immersing you in coniferous forests where ibexes and chamois live free.

Have you decided where to go skiing in Aosta Valley? One last piece of advice before leaving. Check the weather, snow report and alerts in the area where you are heading. Better be ready!