Best Skiing in Aosta

Hi,

I will be going to Aosta Valley at the end of Jan for 4 days and am currently looking at 4 different resorts:
Cervinia, Monterosa, La Thuile and Courmayeur. We're pretty advanced skiers who are looking for both long runs and good off-slope skiing. Would be great to get some tips:-) I was in Cervinia last week and really liked the scenery, however the slopes were a bit too flat for my liking and Zermatt was closed on all days. I suppose prices are relatively similar across.

Thanks!

We've been to all 4 resorts you have listed. All very different. If you want to spend 4 days at the same resort go for la Thuile. It has variety and challenge and if you cross to France you can have a decent long day out with time for lunch. We're off to Monterosa at the weekend, staying at Champoluc. Lovely skiing but challenging linkages! However, the snow forecast looks like we'll have a lot of hotel time not piste time but you never know.

AnneW wrote:the snow forecast looks like we'll have a lot of hotel time not piste time but you never know.

Hi Anne, there's a tiny resort up the road and across the valley from Champoluc - Antagnod - that's not as high or exposed and worth remembering if Champoluc gets locked down. 20 minutes on the ski bus. Check conditions with the hotel staff (the local ones!).

We had big snow on our first trip to Monterosa a dozen years ago and drove up to Antagnod on a day when everything was shut in Champoluc due to avalanche risk and winds. There's literally a handful of lifts and runs but also some mellow off-piste that gave us one of our most memorable powder days ever - just us and a couple of locals, thigh-deep at times, while everyone else in our hotel spent the day in the bar being glum... 8)

Courmayour is relatively small but a very nice authentic village with some nice piste skiing, if perhaps a bit limited for more experienced skiers. However, if you are good enough, you can access the Vallee Blanche route from here (over to Chamonix). You would need a guide but I believe it is a wonderful excursion.

nikokul wrote:Cervinia, Monterosa, La Thuile and Courmayeur.

Sorry, forgot to answer the OP!

If off-piste/freeride is important then Monterosa should be top of your shortlist (and it's a little cheaper too IME). Lots of terrain but also some long runs between the valleys if that's appealing too (just be wary of any forecast winds as they can - and regularly do - shut the connecting lifts if the weather closes in).

'A day in the bar looking glum'? Mmmmmm........

Brucie wrote:'A day in the bar looking glum'? Mmmmmm........

Fair point! :lol: ...but we had the better day...

Thanks for the tip about Antagnod. We'll check out the local buses. We were in Champoluc 5 years ago but everything was open and the snow was good.