One of Italy’s best-kept alpine secrets is the Aosta Valley, where glaciers gleam, espresso flows, and the skiing is more local.
Everyone flocks to The Dolomites – Cortina, Val Gardena, to ski the Sella Ronda, and justly so—but Italy’s northwestern corner – The Valle d’Aosta – is framed by giants: the iconic Matterhorn (Monte Cervino in Italy) and the towering Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco). It’s spectacular and surprising less crowded, often less pricey, but no less special.
With 23 ski resorts, and roughly 800 kilometers of skiing terrain, Aosta has much to offer skiers, in a beautiful pastoral valley, with dramatic peaks and glaciers as the backdrop. The Italian hospitality is the tiramisu to your ski trip!
Five Good Size to Large Ski Resorts in Aosta Valley
Cervinia (with skiing across the border into Zermatt Switzerland)
Matterhorn Ski Paradise. Ski beneath the Matterhorn in Italy and cross the border over into Switzerland—no passport required. Cervinia offers sunny slopes, a mix of lifts and better value, while Zermatt brings storybook charm and legendary terrain. You can ski both, we love skiing from Cervinia to Zermatt, and returning to Italy in time for an Aperol spritz, pasta and cappuccino, and back to our Italian hotel. We loved staying at the chic Red Fox Cervinia, steps to the cobblestone alpine village and a short walk to the ski lifts. Red Fox makes our Top Italian ski hotels list….
Courmayeur
Chic Courmayeur sits in the shadows of mighty Mont Blanc, with popular ski slopes for Italians in their stylish ski attire. Courmayeur neighbors Chamonix France through the legendary Mont Blanc tunnel or via the dramatic 360-rotating tram system – the Mont Blanc Skyway. For experts (with a guide), the off-piste descent of Vallée Blanche is the stuff of legend—or just be a tourist for the panoramic ride included in your 3-day ski ticket. Courmayeur has luxury lodging in the historic charming pedestrian village, but it is not slopeside, its a short drive to the ski slopes, but the upscale boutique shopping and dining in this charming town make up for it. Grand Hotel Royal Golf is top notch, while independent Hotel Walser is a more classic affordable small hotel.
La Thuile (just 20 minutes from Courmayeur)
Underrated but fun, you can ski from La Thuile’s pleasant ski slopes and mountain huts, across the border to La Rosière France which sits in the sun south facing. across the valley you will spy nearby Les Arcs and La Plagne Ski Areas in France. Val d’Isère and Tignes are just up the valley a bit further. Amazing how close (and frequent) these Alps ski resorts are, but require long switchback mountain roads up and down the dramatic valleys.
Pila
Pila is not well-known, but it’s a cool ski resort for families, with well-groomed intermediate terrain but some amazing off-piste from the steeper summit. A wonderful two-stage gondola from the ancient charming town of Aosta, to the more 70s modern mountain village, then up to the stellar summit at Stella di Pila is such a classic Alps experience. We were lucky enough to enjoy skiing Pila on a powder day!
Monterosa
Known as Italy’s “Freeride Paradise,” this vast ski lift network spans three valleys and five villages, Alagna Valsesia, Staffal, Gressoney, and Champoluc. It’s impressive terrain, with awesome views, wonderful huts, and a dream for ski tourers who prefer their lines wild. We liked lodging in central Staffal steps to Monterosa’s skiing via Gondola or a Tram.
Smaller but special Aosta ski areas
Chamois offers a storybook village, reached only by tram/cable car with the locals. and the grazing chamois in admire as you pass over. 3 fixed grip doubles offer skiing like it used be. In the village there is a full service 4-star ski hotel – Masion Cly with a spa and fine dining, a church steeple, a market and a few cafes, what more do you need?
Crevacol is similarly simple, scenic in a steep valley, and refreshingly local – and a steal compared to bigger resorts. Located between Courmayeur and Cervina across the Valley from Pila. 2 Triple Chair lifts. No slopeside lodging, but a 5-minute drive takes you to a quaint ancient village, we stayed at Hotel Des Alpes in Sainte Rhemy, and enjoyed the old chalet, the pleasant dining, the cozy bar and spa and the friendly innkeeper. Its so quiet here at night…and at Chamois, just you and the stars From here you can drive through the Gran Bernardo tunnel into Switzerland.
Italy Ski Safari
The best way to adventure though Aosta? Link it all together on a ski tour. Start in chi chi Courmayeur, with a ride up the Mont Blanc Sky Way. 20 minutes away ski La Thuile with a border cross into La Rosiere France. 1 hour further explore Pila, then just over an hour to Cervinia with cross border skiing into Zermatt. Take Monterosa by storm before winding down in the quiet corners of Chamois or Crevacol. Aosta is on the Ikon Pass with 7-days combined skiing
It’s not just a ski trip. It’s a journey through welcoming cultures, with stylish locals, beautiful language and landscapes, and amazing Italian cuisine!
Why Aosta Valley Steals a Skier’s Hearts
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- Epic scenery – glaciers, jagged peaks, chalet rooftops and church steeples
- Cross-country skiing –slopes and lifts connecting Italy, France, Switzerland…
- Value – lift tickets ~and half-board stays
- Cuisine – cappuccino, Aperol Spritz, and pasta kissed with local Fontina
- Italian ease. A slower pace. A longer lunch. La Dolce Vita on skis
