Courmayeur

The resort is snow guaranteed for a major amount of the season, since it is located 1224 meters above sea level and has a high piste height of 2755 meters. This is supplemented by more than 300 snow cannons strategically placed around the hamlet to provide a little man-made assistance whenever Mother Nature decides to take a vacation. With access to the Vallee Blanche, which starts at 3812m and leads down to Chamonix, there’s almost always access to snow if you’re prepared to go and don’t mind a little off-piste.

The best months for snow here are generally January and February, and the high altitude should hold it in place between new powder falls. The ‘Click on the Mountain’ festival, which takes place in February each year, is also a terrific opportunity to witness the town come alive and observe the work of genuine experts. March and April have also seen some spectacular snowfalls, and with the flexibility of the premium ski ticket, you can generally find some nice snow at the nearby slopes.

Every winter, this resort receives a significant amount of snow. Because the bulk of the slopes face northeast and northwest, there is less freezing and thawing, which improves snow conditions. The average annual snowfall is roughly 280 inches. Keep an eye out for avalanche warnings displayed on lifts.

The Aosta Valley is widely recognized for its friendly hospitality, adherence to tradition, alpine agriculture, natural beauty, and local architecture. Courmayeur is a charming town that is ideal for skiing, hiking, shopping, and dining. There are several wonderful restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, and lounge bars in this town. The town center is a tangle of enticing lanes dotted with fine delicatessen shops and restaurants, boutiques, and interior design stores. This section contains a listing of all the restaurants and stores in the Courmayeur and Aosta Valley. A collection of the areas’ traditional meals and dishes to try. Find out what’s going on in the region during your stay, including yearly events and nightlife.

Courmayeur need little introduction to the avid skier and mountaineer. Its fantastic position at the foot of Mont Blanc guarantees fantastic skiing in stunning surroundings, and the stylish mountain town has enough to offer skiers and non-skiers equally.

Courmayeur is a lovely ancient town with tiny alleys, historic stone churches, and an appealing pedestrianized center. In the evenings, the streets come alive as Italians take their ‘passegiata’ along Via Roma and skiers rush to the bars for a well-deserved drink. There are several high-quality clothes, sportswear, and equipment stores, as well as more typical antique shops, galleries, delicatessens, and other specialty food businesses.

Courmayeur has been a popular climbing and mountaineering destination since the 18th century, although the town’s roots date back to the Roman Empire, when both gold and silver were mined there. The medicinal spring waters drew tourists in the 17th century, and the building of the Mont Blanc tunnel in 1965 insured a strong flow of traffic and the town’s growth. Courmayeur preserves its Italian beauty and character, despite the addition of some new structures.

During peak vacation seasons such as New Year’s and the Carnival week in mid-February, Courmayeur becomes particularly crowded with Italians, although the nationalities of the guests outside of these periods are fairly diverse, with people coming from all across Europe as well as farther beyond.

Courmayeur has a decent selection of pisted lines, readily accessible off-piste itineraries, heli-skiing, fantastic cross-country ski routes, nice walking, and a large choice of recreational and other leisure activities, as well as a wide range of hotels to suit all budgets and superb après ski.

Courmayeur, located in the northwestern part of Italy and bordering France and Switzerland, is one of the most prominent resorts in the Aosta Valley.

It was famously built in the 17th century as a spa town for its natural outlets of pure alpine water, and it became a popular destination for the mountaineering community in the 19th century, and it has kept its traditional image and beauty ever since. This contemporary, family-friendly resort, with a car-free village center, is ideal for anybody looking for a challenge on the slopes followed by quiet nights enjoying fine cuisine and wine.

Along with its alpine background, the town has a highly glamorous vibe being the weekend skiing destination of the social elite of Milan and Turin. With cobblestone alleys, antique wood and stone houses, and the central Via Roma hosting designer stores, cafés, and some of the greatest restaurants in the Alps, the medieval hamlet exudes charm. The surrounds do not disappoint though; on a clear day, 14 mountain summits above 4000m are visible, including the majestic behemoth of Mont Blanc.

Because the hamlet is tiny and simple to navigate, you’ll never be too far from the slopes. With frequent bus shuttles operating throughout the town and surrounding places such as Entreves, getting from your bed to the slope is a piece of cake.

The local ski area boasts 39km of piste and 100km of off-piste, but if you want to venture out of town, the ski ticket provides access to Chamonix, the famed French ski resort. Cham offers 173km of slopes and is accessible by the Vallee Blanc descent or a 45-minute drive. Two days in other Aosta Valley destinations are also included. La Thuile is just a short drive away, and the old town of Aosta and its associated resort Pila are also easily accessible.

Courmayeur is divided into two major areas: Chécrouit-Val Veny, which is served by a cable car from Plan Chérouit, a gondola in Dolonne, and a cable car in Entrèves for those vacationing outside of town. The second sector is made up of the Mont Blanc lift network, which includes the famed Vallée Blanche.

The two ski schools (Societa Guide Alpine Courmayeur and Scuola di Sci) have a good reputation for teaching, and with a number of blue runs on each side of the ridge, newcomers may try out a range of terrain. There are a few nursery and blue runs near the Entrèves cable car, and the Pra Neyron chair lift offers access to two of the longer blues: Val Veny on the Entreves side and Pra Neyron on the Dolonne side.

More experienced skiers will find plenty of terrain to enjoy. Lavenchon is one of our favorite reds, with lots of open space before descending to the Le Greye button lift. Internazionale is another that is both difficult and friendly, as well as lengthy, and has ties to a variety of blacks, including Des Eves, Rocce Bianche, and Diretta if you want to turn things up a notch.

The Bertolini chairlift connects the Rocce Bianche and Des Eves black routes, both of which provide breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc range. The black Diretta has broad open portions as well as narrow tree-lined steeps and connects to the Zerotta lift, which provides access to the Pista Dell’Orso black.

Off piste, the Vallee Blanche is a must-ski destination, while the Cresta d’Arp and Toula glaciers are best tackled with a guide. Book a heli excursion for a more difficult task.

The snowpark on the red Aretu line is excellent, with a fair combination of basic rails and difficult jumps up to 8 meters high, as well as an airbag with beginner jumps.

While this is the ski destination for Turin and Milan residents, with shops to fit their preferences like Cartier and Hermes, this isn’t to imply the town is solely for the wealthy. Courmayeur is ideal for unwinding in an armchair with a beverage and canapés at bars like Prive. Late-night munching on crepes, sandwiches, and burgers is ideal at Bar Americano. Roma is also a popular site; in the past, complimentary canapés with beverages have been distributed.

Courmayeur is a mecca for Italian mountain cuisine and one of the world’s top resorts for foodies, featuring traditional pizza and pasta dishes on every menu. La Terrazza, located just outside the pedestrian town center, serves moderately priced meals, including some of the greatest pizza you’ll ever taste. We enjoy Alpetta near the top of the first set of cable cars for a little of mountain dining, whether you’re looking for a mountaintop meal or just a quick drink and sugar boost (it’s worth coming simply for their delicious chocolate cake). Rifugiuo Maison Vieille regularly organizes frequent torchlit descents and skidoo races – supper and beverages included – for a unique evening.

For a change of pace from the slopes, visit the indoor sports center, which offers a range of activities. Kids may try out the indoor climbing wall and ice skating, while adults can play five-a-side football or reserve the tennis, squash, volleyball, and basketball courts. If all you want to do is relax, take a short drive down the road to the Pre St Didier for a mountain spa experience to die for.

This little mountain resort with a car-free center takes pride in being a family-friendly and inviting destination. Because many hotels, apartments, and restaurants are family-owned, children are welcome and will be properly cared for in true Italian style.

The location is best suited to families with children who have already spent a few weeks on the slopes, but if you’re looking for a place to get youngsters started, there are two ski schools with outstanding reputations, with the Ski School Monte Bianco Courmayeur being regarded as one of the finest in Italy. If your children have mastered skis and want to explore the dark side, the Ski & Snowboard School Courmayeur is ideal. The snow park near the Aretu red slope is also a great place for youngsters to receive some adrenaline rushes without going too far out of their comfort zone. If parents wish to spend some time on the slopes, there are excellent childcare facilities and daycare for the very young. While some hotels and chalets have their own childcare, the ski school boasts one of the finest mini clubs for youngsters up to the age of ten, which offers both indoor and outdoor activities in a secure atmosphere. It is conveniently positioned in Plan Checrouit for parents to drop off and pick up their children on their route to and from the piste.

If everything else fails, the non-ski activities are ideally suited to all ages, with the indoor climbing wall and ice rink easily entertaining the youngsters. The tennis and squash courts may possibly inspire their summer sports selections for the year, while the wonderful stores and boutiques will fulfill any retail therapy needs.