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TR: AOSTA VALLLEY, ITALY 03-11 MARCH 2024

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
TR: AOSTA VALLLEY, ITALY 03-11 MARCH 2024

Links to previous Trip Reports
Images may or not be showing within the thread. So I've added links to posts on Instagram that have images and/or videos.

Feb 2010: Wendelstein, Spitzingsee, and Sudelfeld, Germany
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=62376
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrRAhHwMAlo/?img_index=1

May 2010: Zermatt, Switzerland and Chamonix, France
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=64389

Dec 2010: Glacier 3000, Switzerland and Courmayeur, Italy
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=70615
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrSpOxCs3Hx/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrVFnZlMAs9/?img_index=1

Jan 2011: Popova Shapka, North Macedonia
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=102070
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrYGiHUNoIG/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrYd4c9sWLo/?img_index=1

The Ski Podcast
https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/episode-74-cat-skiing-in-north-macedonia-summer-snow-in-avoriaz-sustainability-in-morzine/

Feb 2011: Brezovica, Kosovo and Savin Kuk & Kolasin, Montenegro
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2348519
https://www.instagram.com/p/CraZ6GTMbDC/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrdS4xksXTu/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrfkbEAsSn-/?img_index=1

The Ski Podcast
https://theskipodcast.com/resorts/tignes/episode-39-montenegro-ladies-only-ski-camps-summer-in-morzine/

Apr 2011: Narvik, Norway
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=1788365
https://www.instagram.com/p/CriKE-3LtiC/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrknPORMg4Q/?img_index=1

The Ski Podcast
https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/episode-58-norway-swiss-memories-the-end-of-apres-ski/

Jun 2014: Stubai, Austria
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=111243
https://www.instagram.com/p/Crnce8DMPNa/?img_index=1

Apr 2015: Grandvalira, Andorra
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2705105
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrpfPo2qmnr/?img_index=1

Jan 2016: Gudauri, Georgia
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=123502
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrsOXh3Mzlm/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cru5iQoNuRv/

The Ski Podcast
https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/episode-37-skiing-in-georgia-buying-a-piste-basher-the-future-of-chalet-holidays/

Mar 2016: San Martino di Castrozza, Italy
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2867078
https://www.instagram.com/p/Crxa0X7POC9/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrzzJKCqHmp/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr2a_o_MwfT/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr5I0MKrpCR/

Mar 2016: Corvara, Marmolada, San Martino di Castrozza, Trafoi, Pejo 3000, and Solda, Italy
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2885660
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr7z-kbN4JB/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr-HDwKsfhT/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsA93MMRGAf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsDksBzOOtU/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsGiOKOsQHQ/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsK9Xosq4wa/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsN84guszrV/?img_index=1

Mar 2016: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2880393
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsIkL0RMUxK/

Mar 2017: San Domenico & Madesimo, Italy and Aletsch Arena, Switzerland
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=3043421
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsQO0bVs82I/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsSyEgAsRsy/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsVwQvsPFv1/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsXxmK7qtLj/?img_index=1

Mar 2019: Madesimo, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/Csa45GYMYZQ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsdMecPOhjD/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Csfprgkq7ga/

The Ski Podcast
https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/165-orelle-uzbekistan-madesimo-le-board-in-val-thorens/

Mar 2019: Cortina, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsiwbwDs5DY/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Csky4uisiI-/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmBy_FsOlm/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsngX1mMVDB/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/Csp_D-WpA21/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CssggRwM9WC/?img_index=1

Mar 2020: Glencoe and Nevis Range, Scotland
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsvoSMPugN7/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Csx-_KuJrbM/

Dec 2021: Arinsal, Andorra
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs0lMhkAWSy/

Jan 2022: Ovit Mountain, Ejder 3200, and Sarikamis, Turkey
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=4920359
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs3ir_tM0rr/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs5-xZmqNCn/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs8A9ydgXll/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs-0nMEPM3Y/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtB0F-Ws5H3/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtEUZaMsL7Z/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtGuAf0sqSS/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtI43eIsfQE/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLtC70M_S0/?img_index=1

The Ski Podcast
https://theskipodcast.com/winter-olympics/90-skiing-in-turkey-paralympian-millie-knight-how-to-choose-ski-boots/

Feb 2022: Avoriaz, France
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtQZij7qQFD/?img_index=1

Dec 2022: Erciyes, Turkey
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtTQO_EsXlB/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtV4gUyMvbq/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtYOOBjtRQi/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtbHr-gMbSS/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctd1mmkpX3Z/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtgIQoAs25v/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtieBhhseJ9/?img_index=1

Mar 2023: Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5120404
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtlOW8DMBzo/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cto-FprsVFi/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtqZ_AZrOnZ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cts51o-tTrW/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctyiut0gHgG/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct3ozhWPUpv/

The Ski Podcast
https://theskipodcast.com/podcast/178-apres-ski-skiing-in-bosnia-mountain-biking-in-the-alps/

----------

COST BREAKDOWN

£927.20 per person (9 day trip; 5 days skiing)

Eurotunnel £316.29 (includes European insurance and breakdown)
Petrol £316.00
Tolls £151.79

Accommodation £396.17 (1 night in Dole; 6 nights in Aosta; 1 night in Troyes)
Food & Drink £310.16

Lift Passes £363.99 (3 days at Pila; 1 day at Cogne; 1 day at Crevacol)

----------

Firstly, many thanks to all those who have gone before us and shared their experiences on the forum. Invaluable information which massively contributed to a successful and very enjoyable first 'drive to the Alps' trip for Nerys and me.

Secondly, a huge shoutout to https://www.snow-forecast.com/ which clarified where we should be heading during our pre-arranged timeframe of 03-11 March 2024.

As we've done the past 5-6 European trips, Nerys books time off from work and I watch the snow from about 8 weeks out to hopefully choose the resort/area which has had consistent snowfall prior to our arrival; a good base with all slopes and lifts open; new snow in the lead up to our trip and/or snowfall during our trip.

Throw in a destination we hopefully haven't been to before and a resort which is close to a city / other attractions so we can experience a little more of the country beyond the lifts.

We typically wait for a last-minute deal with a UK based Tour Operator and we've been very fortunate to have 7-day holidays with Crystal, Inghams, and Neilson at very reasonable prices to some great destinations (please see TRs above).

In the lead up to this trip the areas meeting our criteria were Andorra (despite a poor start and middle of the season); Norway; the Aosta Valley, Italy.

The Tour Operator deals weren't as good as they have been in previous years and once we worked out the total costs, self-drive looked to be the best value for money combined with the greatest flexibility.

I'd previously skied Courmayeur (2010) and Monterosa (1995); heard great things about Pila and the other resorts in the Aosta Valley; and being based near to a real city very much appealed to both of us.

So with snow falling in the Aosta Valley we booked the Eurotunnel and accommodation on the way down and for our time in Aosta on the Saturday evening; prepared all of our stuff ready to load into the car first thing; and got an early night.


DAY 1: SUNDAY 03 MARCH 2024

We set off at 07:15 from Cardiff bound for the 13:18 Eurotunnel. Easy 4-hr drive got us there in plenty of time and we were moved on to the 12:18 train at no charge, which bought us an extra hour of daylight on the French side.

First time on the Eurotunnel. Seamless and easy. Going to be very difficult to consider the ferry in the future, especially as it was only £40 more than sailing.

Uneventful drive south to Dole where we spent the first night.

Stayed at the Hotel F1 in Dole booked through booking.com for £49.18 (for the two of us).

Room was clean, quiet, safe. Just what we were looking for.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/f1-dole.en-gb.html?












DAY 2: MONDAY 04 MARCH 2024

Breakfast buffet was a bargain at 5 euros each.

Our car doesn't have snow tyres, so we picked up a set of snow socks for 45 euros in a local car store (like Halfords).

We'd brought a load of the high cost, low use items with us - oil, salt, sugar, pepper, breakfast cereals etc - and stocked up on ridiculously cheap fizz, white & red wine for the apartment and continued our journey south.

With heavy snow falling the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we were unsure what the road conditions would be like once we got through the Mont Blanc Tunnel but we arrived just after lunch to clear roads, blue skies, and pristine snow covered slopes.







We took the 'old' road down passing through Courmayeur and the smaller villages which lined the road to Aosta admiring the scenery, the castles, and the churches.

Our accommodation for the next 6 nights was in the Capoluogo area above Charvensod, about 10 mins drive from the Pila Telecabine car park.

We booked the 1-bedroom apartment through booking.com for £296.50 for 6 nights which we felt was an absolute bargain.

The apartment had everything we needed. Well appointed, clean, dry, warm, full kitchen, private parking. Along with great views across the valley and a nice 5-min walk to a local church and pizza restaurant.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/la-maison-de-papagran-charvensod.en-gb.html?


After checking in and unpacking our stuff we headed back down to Aosta for the evening.

Parked up in the free Pila Telecabine car park and strolled in to town. Glorious weather and glorious views all around.

We bar hopped enjoying cocktails at Eden Bistrot https://edenbistrot.it/ and 'Guess the glass of wine' at the wonderful La Vineria http://www.lavineria-aosta.it/ which became one of our two go-to bars.

The beauty of imbibing in Italy is the free 'Aperitivo' snacks which accompany your tipple. Thin slices of local meats and cheeses on bread in most places. More elaborate canape like tastes in places like Eden Bistrot.

Over the week we found that with a big breakfast, mid-morning coffee & cake, and late traditional Italian lunch there was no need for dinner once we'd nibbled on 3-5 Aperitivo snacks.

If we did feel peckish we'd continue our drinking back at the apartment along with local cheeses and crackers.

Still trying to work out how to post pics within the thread

In the meantime, first pics on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5TDe8UC8Dm/?img_index=1


Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 5-04-24 8:26; edited 6 times in total
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Mike Pow, "..Still trying to work out how to post pics within the thread.."

I now use https://imgur.com/ : They give you a link to copy into your post
latest report
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Thanks

I’ve tried to join but can’t seem to do it in my region

Can you just upload and get a link?
latest report
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Mike Pow wrote:
Thanks

I’ve tried to join but can’t seem to do it in my region

Can you just upload and get a link?


That is how is works for me - just upload and select a link and click and paste it into your post : they give several options like 'large' 'huge' etc.

Works in the UK


Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Wed 3-04-24 14:36; edited 1 time in total
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Mike Pow wrote:


Can you just upload and get a link?


That’s how it works although it’s a bit fiddly the first time you do it
snow report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Thanks both

Not sure about their terms & conditions though
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Mike Pow, you're a super-snowhead, so there should be a "Post Image" button below the text entry field.
snow conditions
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
deleted


Last edited by After all it is free Go on u know u want to! on Thu 4-04-24 9:16; edited 1 time in total
snow conditions
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
sugarmoma666 wrote:
@Mike Pow, you're a super-snowhead, so there should be a "Post Image" button below the text entry field.


Thanks

Done

Quality isn't great and can't work out the formatting.
snow conditions
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
DAY 3: TUESDAY 05 MARCH 2024

Sunrise in the small village of Charvensod overlooking the city of Aosta.

Our neighbour was a dairy farmer who wintered his small herd in a shed between his house and our apartment.

Each morning he would begin his day in the blue before dawn mucking out the cowshed, cleaning and massaging his small herd, and feeding them.
















https://www.instagram.com/p/C5VemqHMDtM/?img_index=1
snow report
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@Mike Pow, thanks for sharing the link to your Instagram - some absolutely beautiful images there, great photography.
latest report
 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
narbs wrote:
@Mike Pow, thanks for sharing the link to your Instagram - some absolutely beautiful images there, great photography.


My pleasure.

Much appreciated.
latest report
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
DAY 3: TUESDAY 05 MARCH 2024

Continued:

After a sunrise stroll around the village and a hearty breakfast we took the short drive down to the Pila Telecabine car park to catch the lift up to the slopes for our first day on snow.

Destination Pila.

We'd pre-bought our 3-day lift tickets online which gave us the opportunity to ski 2 days at Pila and 1 day at another Aosta Valley resort or all 3 days at Pila.

Booking online saved us queuing at the ticket office and gave us a discount on the walk-up price.

It worked out at 41.20 euros per day including the 2 euro cost of the plastic lift ticket.

On arrival at the car park we saw a lot of people milling around and queuing - unsurprising as it was a bluebird day and most of the lifts has been closed the previous two days because of weather.

We quickly found out that there was an electrical fault with the lift and with no indication of when it would be fixed we jumped back in to the car and drove up to the resort parking in the car park beside the Telecabine terminus.

Self-drive for the win!

We were already skiing before the Telecabine started back up so it was worth the 'Gumball Rally' ascent up the winding mountain road.

Pila Piste Map
https://pila.it/p12021l4/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/skirama_web.pdf

We spent the first couple of runs on the Grimond Piste (Blue 15), 5km of perfectly groomed, wide, quiet slopes with astounding views. Every resort should have that as a warm-up run.

We lapped the Leisse chair dropping into the red run variations (Red 14 & 25) before heading skiers right off the chair and lapping the red run variations on that side (Red 9, 12, 13, 30).

The Leisse chair was the highest operating lift. Patrol were still doing avalanche work and there were plenty of triggered and natural slides which had run on to the pistes above us.

Nerys had a quick coffee in the Hermitage restaurant while I went for a little explore in the trees. The east and south facing slopes were a little baked but the west and north facing slopes held boot top to knee dry, light powder.

After the break we skied the runs off the Chamole and La Nouva chairs with Du Bois (Red 2) our favourite. Stunning turns and stunning views practically to ourselves.

Took a late al-fresco lunch around 14:30 at Hermitage. 25.50 euros for two pasta dishes, 2 x 500ml carafes of wine, and 1 litre of sparkling water. Excellent and filling.

https://pila.it/en/hotel/hermitage/

Skied back to the car and drove back down to the apartment before heading into Aosta for the late afternoon/evening.

Strolled the streets and bar hopped again enjoying cocktails at Eden Bistrot https://edenbistrot.it/ and gin at Baretto Di Sant'Orso Gintoneria https://www.facebook.com/baretto.di.s.orso/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5X_8SuMnUw/?img_index=1









snow report
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 06 MARCH 2024

Our second day on the slopes and it was a return to Pila in the hope that time, clear skies, and no wind would see more lifts and terrain open up.

We weren’t disappointed.

No problems with the Pila Telecabine this morning and 20 minutes later we were on skis and ready to go.

We warmed up on the Grimond Piste (Blue 15) before progressing to the red run variations.

As we were about to head over to the Chamole and La Nouva chairs Nerys spotted the Grimondet chair moving for the first time in 4 days.

We hightailed it over and spent the next couple of hours lapping the perfectly groomed pistes which wound their way through the trees before heading into the featherlight boot top powder skier’s left of the Variante Grimondet (18 Red).

Another fantastic day on the slopes with more of the resort to explore followed by another great late lunch at the Hermitage restaurant

Instagram Images
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5fWnrUC31A/?img_index=1

Videos
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ah-CUMGdU/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5f_Y6aCNKc/










ski holidays
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 06 MARCH 2024

Continued :

Aosta in the late afternoon sunshine.

Beautiful light and heavy shadows on the main plaza and amongst the labyrinthine side streets.

Enjoying aperitivos at @edenbistrot @la_vineria_aosta and Baretto Di Sant’Orso Gintoneria and the Italian custom of passeggiata - strolling the streets post-food.

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5iggd8CKV-/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5kcf_FCrgY/





















Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Thu 11-04-24 7:22; edited 2 times in total
snow report
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@Mike Pow, superb. I love your bar crawl style and your urban photos.
ski holidays
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Hurtle wrote:
@Mike Pow, superb. I love your bar crawl style and your urban photos.


Thanks very much.

It's become a big part of our annual ski holiday. Time on the slopes combined with time in a town or city.

Having done so many winters based in Hirafu Village in the Niseko Resort Area but traveling each day to where the best snow is (up to 90 mins drive each way) being based in resort whether ski-in ski-out or a short walk isn't that important to us.
snow report
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
What a great selection of lovely pictures - I'm a keen amateur photographer and I really like them. I love the simplicity of Italian mountain life.

Thanks for posting.
ski holidays
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
franga wrote:
What a great selection of lovely pictures - I'm a keen amateur photographer and I really like them. I love the simplicity of Italian mountain life.

Thanks for posting.


My pleasure. Thanks for the kind words.
snow conditions
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
DAY 5: THURSDAY 07 MARCH 2024

Sunrise in Charvensod

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5nN8bHCwER/?img_index=1








snow conditions
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
DAY 5: THURSDAY 07 MARCH 2024

Continued :

Our third and final day at Pila

Wall to wall sunshine

Excellent

There was still untracked powder off the Grimondet chair which was a little heavier than yesterday

But a great warm up for the terrain off the Couis 2 chair which opened for the first time this week

The pistes off Couis 2 were very good. A little 'glassy' in places where people had skidded them off

The boot top powder to the sides was well skied but still very enjoyable

I traversed the full length of the bowl skiers left of the lift and had untracked boot top powder back down to the Couis 2 piste which I went straight over and dropped into the trees below where it was boot top to knee deep

I lapped that pretty much all day before a late lunch at the Hermitage restaurant and a final ski down Du Bois (Red 2) on to the Plan Praz piste (Red 26) to the mid-stage of the Pila Telecabine

Three fantastic days at Pila

Highly recommended

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5qQYuQC8vC/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5swNXwiMVJ/?img_index=1















ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
DAY 6: FRIDAY 08 MARCH 2024

After three fantastic days at Pila it was time to explore the other resorts in the Aosta Valley

Today's destination, the small but perfectly formed resort of Cogne

The trip from Aosta took around 45 minutes passing through picturesque small villages before the final approach through a winding canyon

The snow level increased as we gradually rose from Aosta's 583m to the base of Cogne's Funivie Gran Paradiso lift at 1,500m

The two lifts take you to 2,300m and above that is the Gran Paradiso, the only 4,000m peak which is completely in Italian territory

It was a grey day but we had glimpses of the views on offer. And they were spectacular

€35 for the day, and when you look at how few runs there are - 1 Blue; 4 Reds; 1 Black - you might feel it’s a rip off

But when there are only 30 people on the mountain, every run felt like you were skiing at a private resort

The red runs were proper reds too. Steep, winding, double fall lines

With great grooming and great conditions under foot you could really let the skis run, and that's exactly what we did

We stopped at the small but welcoming Bar Invernale located mid-mountain for coffee & cake mid-morning and then panini late afternoon before calling it a day

I had a couple of runs in the trees and under the lifts which reminded me of skiing in N America

Even four days after the last snowfall there was loads of untracked knee deep powder off-piste from dry & light through to porridge at the base

Cogne is one of 11 resorts in the Aosta Valley on the Magic Skipass, a multi-day pass which can be used for 6-days at any of the small ski areas of the Aosta Valley (the pass can be used for a maximum of 3 days of skiing at any one area).

And all for the ridiculously low price of 100 euros (80 euros for children 9-14 years of age; free to children 8 years old and under).

There are some real gems on this pass and if you're happy driving around the Aosta Valley you won't get a better deal in the Alps.

https://www.skilife.ski/en/promo-sci-piccoli-borghi-2/?_gl=1


Cogne is the type of village you'd like to get snowed in at. A deserted ski area combined with a pretty village full of excellent cafes, bars & restaurants

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5vbXtqiBPH/?img_index=1












Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Thu 18-04-24 11:00; edited 2 times in total
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
DAY 6: FRIDAY 08 MARCH 2024

Continued :

Enjoying aperitivos at Baretto Di Sant’Orso Gintoneria @la_vineria_aosta and @gekooaosta

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/C50vyRGM6t_/?img_index=1










snow conditions
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Amazing pics as always snowHead
snow report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
BobinCH wrote:
Amazing pics as always snowHead


Much appreciated.

European sunshine makes a massive difference Smile
ski holidays
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
DAY 7: SATURDAY 09 MARCH 2024

For our final day on snow we headed 30 minutes north of Aosta on the road to the St Bernard Tunnel to the small resort of Crevacol.

https://www.crevacol.it/

Ski Map
https://www.dovesciare.it/sites/default/files/cartina-crevacol.jpg


It was snowing lightly as we arrived at the car park and within 5 mins we were on the lift and heading up into the clouds.

Unfortunately that's the best visibility we had all day. It was was like skiing inside a golf ball. The only respite was when we hit the trees just above the Seggiovia chair.

Nerys called it a day after 4 runs. I went a bit longer having a nose around.

The south facing slopes were a little crunchy after a week of sunshine but there was already a 10-15cm covering with more coming down and much more forecast.

On a clear day with fresh snow this place would be fantastic. Will definitely return and highly recommended.

Lunch in the highest restaurant was excellent.

Great write up here

https://www.powderhounds.com/Europe/Italy/Crevacol.aspx


Crevacol is one of 11 resorts in the Aosta Valley on the Magic Skipass, a multi-day pass which can be used for 6-days at any of the small ski areas of the Aosta Valley (the pass can be used for a maximum of 3 days of skiing at any one area).

And all for the ridiculously low price of 100 euros (80 euros for children 9-14 years of age; free to children 8 years old and under).

There are some real gems on this pass and if you're happy driving around the Aosta Valley you won't get a better deal in the Alps.

https://www.skilife.ski/en/promo-sci-piccoli-borghi-2/?_gl=1








Artwork on the way back to Aosta in the small hamlet of Saint-Oyen



snow report
 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
DAY 8: SUNDAY 10 MARCH 2024

Our final morning in the Aosta Valley and it was a race to get to the Mont Blanc Tunnel before it would be necessary to put the snow socks on the car.

We left a wet Aosta at 07:15 but by the time we reached the outskirts of Courmayeur everything was white and snow was starting to stick to the road.

As had happened the previous weekend another big storm was sweeping through the valley bringing what would result in 70-90cm of new snow by Monday afternoon (11th March).

It was a wrench to be driving away from a storm but we'd had a great week.

Thankfully we made it to the border crossing without the need for snow socks and when we emerged at the other end of the tunnel the skies were clear and there wasn't a fleck of snow on the roads or the fields.

An easy drive saw us arrive in Troyes, France around 3pm. Plenty of time to check-in at Le Papillon beside Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul Cathederal. Wonderful apartment and location. Free parking on a Sunday

https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-papillon-de-la-cathedrale-bouchon-de-champagne.en-gb.html

And a short walk to Le Drop Kick Bar where we watched France trounce Wales in the 6 Nations rugby. Great welcome in the bar. Top food and cider too.

Then we spent the evening walking the streets enjoying a few drinks. No titbits to accompany the alcohol unfortunately Sad













DAY 9: MONDAY 11 MARCH 2024

Great night's sleep despite being right next door to the cathedral bells.

Packed up and had an uneventful journey back to the Chunnel and onwards to Cardiff.

A fantastic trip all round.


Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sat 20-04-24 11:52; edited 1 time in total
snow conditions
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@Mike Pow, a really wonderful trip report, thank you. I love to read about all the peripheral activities and sights, as well as your time on snow. Very Happy
snow conditions
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Hurtle wrote:
@Mike Pow, a really wonderful trip report, thank you. I love to read about all the peripheral activities and sights, as well as your time on snow. Very Happy


Thanks once again.

Yes it's an important part of our annual Winter Holiday.

Absolutely loved the Aosta Valley. So much to ski, see & do. We barely scratched the surface.

If Nerys could work remotely we could absolutely see us basing ourselves there for a Winter.
snow report



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