Where in Aosta Valley would you base yourself for a season....or would you?

A snowHead

Hi all,

There is a slim possibility that I might be able to spend the 21/22 season in the alps. This is a 35% chance, so I have not spent a huge amount of time researching, but one of my thoughts would be the Aosta valley.

Most likely would be that we (myself, wife, nearly 5 year old (21/22) and nearly 2 year old (21/22) would head over in January and we are thinking of staying till April/May. Neither myself nor wife would be working and unlikely the kids will be working either!!

We would like to do a season for a couple of reasons - skiing (obviously), experience living in another country and culture with the kids, give the kids the experience of living in the mountains, the possibility of learning a new language for all the family, and, well, we don't always get these opportunities and I think it would be brilliant for everyone.

My thoughts on Aosta are - my wife likes Italy, French is a second language there (I speak a bit of French and neither of us speaks Italian), good access to different resorts and other areas are not too far a drive (4 hours to La Grave etc).

Skiing level - mine is reasonably decent - comfortable on all off piste. Piste skiing is fun when I'm with the family but off piste/touring would be my focus. My wife is a good piste skier, comfortable on most pistes but needs to build up more confidence and experience.

As I said above, thinking of the Aosta Valley but not sure where would be best to be based, if anyone had any thoughts I would be happy to hear them.

Thanks

DF

A snowHead

@Dublinfella, I haven't found that speaking French worked particularly well in Aosta.

Bit of a trek to La Grave, Verbier and the rest of the Valais isn't too far though.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Sounds amazing. I agree with @rjs that going across to France / Switzerland anything like regularly would be a bit of a schlep though (and presumably wouldn't be covered by your ski pass, plus you'd have to pay the steep road tunnel fees).

The obvious place to base yourself would be Aosta itself as it's a real city (apparently quite nice) and is fairly central for the whole valley. It also has direct lift access to Pila's slopes if you can't be bothered to drive to ski on a certain day.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

@rjs, yeah, don't expect it to help too much, but just gives me a little bit more of a chance. Increasing from 0% to 15% perhaps Smile

Sorry, I should have said on the trips to La Grave etc, these would be for a few days during the season, not a day trip across for the craic. Probably won't do many, but might get in a trip or two and happy drive up to 6 hours easy enough. Am used to be in the car and enjoy the whole trip event.

@denfinella, on Aosta itself, for my understanding, it has more limited access to the most of the ski areas outside of Pila. I might be wrong but that was what my basic research has shown me.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Yes. Aosta.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@Dublinfella, I think the pertinent point is that anywhere (afaik) in Aosta, to ski anywhere else, either involves driving up the valley and down (from a valley floor town itself, or driving down, along then up, and the same in reverse.

Which means exploring elsewhere is a bit of a schlep.

But that's logistics.

Plus side, Italian hospitality, food and drink.

Minus side, what I said above, and snowfall which is typically less than the Swiss/French side of those mountains.

If you're stuck on Italy, I'd think Monterosa before any of the others. BTW Can't recall last Aosta conversation but French usually goes down pretty well in Champoluc.

If you're not stuck on Italy, you're probably then more spoilt for choice, e.g. Chamonix valley, PdS. GM, Tarentaise if you don't need quick transfers, etc.

After all it is free

A slightly skewed view perhaps, but have you considered the opposing, France to stay with good access to Italy?

Specifically thinking Maurienne valley to locate.

It has a very subtle but useable convenience, cost, good food and very good access to all the local ski areas on one realistically priced lift pass.

In addition, quick access backdoor to Val Thoren and 3 valley area for sporadic day trip via Orelle ski station.

Also through the Frejus tunnel to Italy for Via Latea ski areas, further to Montgenevre, Briancon, Serre Chevalier etc within easy travelling too.

In other words, access to a huge variety of some very contrasting mountain areas.

It doesn't attract the headline attention of many places that are typically famous, but offers a huge amount in a very relaxing way.

@Dublinfella, I lived at the Eastern end of the Aosta for 3 seasons and I would recommend the Via Latea area instead. The Aosta is fantastic but with a young family I would say you're better off somewhere like Sauze. With limited Italian you'd find more English speakers and options for Childcare when you need it. Agree with @ski3, about the Maurienne as somewhere to explore, lots of family friendly resorts without going near the big resorts. If Touring is your focus then the Aosta is pretty challenging, mostly high alpine Ski Mountaineering rather than touring. If you're looking for a family compromise I'd have a close look at the area around Obersdorf/Sonthofen in Bavaria (Search Nordic Blowfish on the Web for some good deals) or even the Dolomites. Both much better for Ski touring.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Hi All,

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. Yes, had thought of France and two options were Maurienne or Serre Chevalier. We like the idea of being in an actual village. We are not wedded to Italy, but is a bit of a preference. France is definitely easier on the language front. @RedandWhiteFlachau, hadn't thought of Milkyway, but did love Montgenevre (just there for a day). Will have to start doing more research! And yep, the better the childcare the more likely it will happen Smile

On the touring front - prefer going down than up - so generally tour to ski not for the sake of it. The easier the access the happier I am - and the better i will be breathing!!

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

PM @jbob he did a couple of seasons based in Aosta instead of his usual Chamonix.

snow reports

Probably the key factor here is whether you want to commit to being based 'in resort' for the convenience of skiing regularly without significant driving time or based somewhere more 'liveable' but strategically convenient for a wider variety of places.

It's commonly accepted that the city of Aosta itself is the best base for doing the Aosta valley as a whole, as just about every major station, Pila, Cervinia, Courmayeur, La Thuile, Monterosa is within an hour or so's drive. It's also big enough to support a 'normal' life-style which can be a bit more of a challenge in a tourist oriented resort village.
This, of course, will not be the same experience as basing yourself for the season, 5 minutes walk/bus-ride from a lift station and the base of a piste.

@Dublinfella, as @midgetbiker, said I've done three seasons in Aosta. I would thoroughly recommend it. The pass is straightforward, the only thing to think about is if you want Zermatt on it for an extra 200 euro. Your kids will be included for free. Insurance is included as is extensive Nordic skiing. No need to buy in advance its around 1000 euro anytime.
You ask where to base yourself, well we were just outside Aosta town and it was good for a number of reasons. It’s central for all the resorts and connected to Pila by a direct lift which will be good with kids. It’s not a mountain town which means loads less hassle. It’s cheap for accommodation and eating out. It’s friendly, they all speak french, most English. It’s sunny and warm in the valley. There are a couple of fantastic tiny resorts within easy reach which will also be great for the kids, Chamois and Crevacol. Finding accommodation and other people to ski with might be a challenge. It can be busy at weekends as lots of Italians come from Turin and Milan, but even in the school holidays its never too bad. Keep off the motorway its expensive.
Anything specific just ask.

You know it makes sense.

@jbob, thanks for the info. Hopefully we can make it happen. Aosta seems like a good option so. Did you stay in a village just outside or in the countryside? Any particular reason for not being in the town itself?

Thanks
DF

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

We stayed in Sarre about 5 miles out of Aosta. It would have been nice to have been able to walk to the lift but on balance it was nice and quiet where we were with a local bar and bread shop.

A snowHead

I did a week in Aosta Valley last winter. Stayed a few miles east of Aosta, but anywhere in & around Aosta would be a good spot. It's in a fairly wide bowl, though ground rises fairly quickly either side of the valley, nice to have a view, but you don't really want to be too far up a potentially snowy hill. Somewhere on the balcony on the S facing side of the valley (ie. northeast of Aosta) overlooking the city and mountains beyond with easy access to main road and a motorway junction.

A nice city with plenty going on and normal prices in supermarkets and restaurants. Motorway is pricey, particularly if you go twd Courmayeur/Mont Blanc, it's €23 flat rate beyond Aosta whether you stay on until the tunnel or exit before. The main road is a bit slower, but fine to use.

Pila is on your doorstep, but you can access all the ski areas within an hour from Aosta. Courmayeur & La Thuile are fairly straightforward. It's a fair drive up the side valleys to Champoluc & Cervinia, but definitely worth doing. A number of smaller resorts like Crevacol, Torgnon, Cogne, Chamois, Brusson, Antagnod, etc would be worth visiting for a change of scenery.

https://www.bergfex.com/aostatal/top10/

A snowHead

Thanks for all the info @jbob, and @luigi. Really like the idea of the smaller places too, especially with the family. Now just have to start working on getting the stars to align/start herding the ducks!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Quite new on the forum here, I'm considering taking most of December off as holidays and re-locating to Aosta for a month. Rather than starting a new thread - thought I would tag along here.

Depending on snow conditions I'm keen to spend more time touring, or if there isn't much snow, something that is more climbing/mountaineering oriented. Although one bit of headache is that I don't have a car at the moment. Looking at the monthly car rental is not particularly cheap, so wondering how easy it would be to get away with public transport (train/buses)?

With the above in mind, I’m conscious it would probably make more sense to base myself somewhere like Chamonix (easy to meet up with people to ski) or other actual ski resort (for immediate access). Yet given the unpredictable condition in early winter, ability to speak Italian (and 0 French), and price/value, Italy and Aosta seem like a good choice.

@jbob, @luigi, and @RedandWhiteFlachau, would be great to hear your thoughts - also if you have any tips on where to look for accommodation etc. that would be super.

Thanks!

You need to Login to know who's really who.

@iv, I've done much the same for the last 2 or 3 years.

There is a good bus service in and around the valley but getting to the trail heads for touring might be problematic without a car.

Have a look at the web site here listing some of the popular tours which gives the start points - that might allow you to try and cross check against the bus service web sites:

https://www.lovevda.it/en/sport/ski-touring/itineraries?url=/Home/Risultati/A7AECA53FE9C21856AF4836AE2A2178F1D3F2A99DFD311898CE3E7/4/10/data&ricid=831&rootPath=/en/sport/ski-touring/itineraries&embeddedui=1&disableresources=1#results-wrapper

In terms of accommodation it should be easy enough to rent an apartment for a month. In terms of finding one, I think the last time I was looking I cross checked AirBnB listings etc to find their direct contact details. It threw up a few nice places.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

IV
Bit of a tricky one. December especially early is not often great for skiing or climbing.
Public transport in the Aosta valley is good and cheap but its a big area, if you want to ski in December it will be subject to the snow conditions and most resorts wont be open until the end of Dec the exception would be Cervina which is at the end of a long valley and you wouldn’t want to be travelling there from Aosta every day even in your own car. For climbing, it wouldn’t be great for cragging as its likely to be wet and cold, ice climbing is as good as it gets in Aosta Valley but is totally weather dependant and in Dec you would be taking a chance on good conditions. Chamonix where I’ve also spent a lot of time will be similar, ski lifts only opening weekends subject to snowfall until around the 18/12. Chamonix is a lot easier than the Aosta valley without a car. If you could delay your trip to jan/feb it would be better. For skiing only once Pila is open at the end of Dec not having a car wouldn’t be a problem so long as you were based close to the lift in Aosta town which is near the railway station. If your going solo then Chamonix is a much better option. No Italian not a big issue.

You'll need to Register first of course.

@jbob, Pila aims to open at the end of November, not the end of December.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Aosta is the obvious place to stay. It's too big to feel like a resort. Some may like that, others may not.
The thing I like about the Aosta valley.is that, for an area with so many very.big mountains about, thre are actually relatively few major ski resorts.
I think a lot of the area is national park which can't be developed. That said, you can heli ski which isn't an option in much of Europe

You've also got pretty much every type of ski resort from the few around. Cervinia, high and ugly, Courmayeur- historic and extreme, 4 Valleys - under developed - good for off piste. PIla, big north facing bowl. You can also get to Zermatt very easily which is high, soectacular and has some seriously tough skiing.

I'm relocating to Aosta for the winter....

La Thuile and the links to France are is also a great day out..

After all it is free

You've forgotten the Monterosa area which for me is the jewel in the Aosta Valley crown!

The all Aosta + Zermatt season pass has to be the best value in the Alps for the variety on offer.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Help!!

Where in Aosta Valley would you base yourself for a season....or would you?

snowHeads Forum Index >>> Resort Reviews and Trip Reports