Courmayeur – skiing at one of the most famous places in the Aosta Valley
At the foot of the highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc, you can find one of the most famous places in the Aosta Valley – Courmayeur. This destination is situated in the Graian Alps and was famous already in the 17th century, mainly for its healing mineral springs. Now it also offers great skiing possibilities so you can enjoy a relaxing time after a day on the slopes.
The skiers will find here around 100 km of wide downhill pistes mostly of medium difficulty, which are ideal both for carving as well as beginners. Proficient skiers and fans of extreme sports can try steep mountain free-riding.
Skiing in Courmayeur, Italy by Leo-setä
Courmayeur is adjacent to the French resort of Chamonix, which are connected together by 5 km long cable car. Other major ski resorts are also accessible by cable car. Ski area of Courmayeur Mont Blanc is composed of two separate campuses Checrouit and Val Veny. In total you can ski on 7 blue, 13 red and 4 black groomed slopes, of which 60% is serviced by artificial snow.
The slopes are served with 8 lifts, 1 cable car and 8 chair lifts with a capacity of 25,000 people per hour. Checrouit area is larger, cable car can take you up to 2,755 meters above sea level to the top of the Cresta d’Arp (2,438m).
Gondola at Courmayeur ski resort, Italy by Leo-setä
Val Veny area is almost entirely designed for a freeride runs. There is a cable car that can take you from La Palud to Punta Helbronner which is 3,462 m above sea level. Via free terrain you can then go down back to Courmayeur, or you can use a gondola that takes you across the Glacier du Geant to Aiguille du Midi at an altitude of 3,842 meters above sea level. The gondola is unique because it is 5 km long and in good weather offers beautiful views of the Mont Blanc and all its surroundings. From Aiguille du Midi you can take 20 kilometres long journey through glacier valley Vallée Blanche.
From Courmayeur you can also take one of organized heliski trips to a small glacier Rutor at the resort of La Thuile. Besides the possibility of heliskiing you can enjoy a wide range of après-ski activities as you can find there one of the best sports centres in Europe, which offers golf, tennis, climbing wall, fitness, aerobics, skating, spas and many other activities. There are lots of cheap or expensive restaurants offering a wide range of quality food.