 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi all,
A rather large group of us are heading out to Aosta at the end of January (24-31st), flying to Turin and renting cars. We're all very competent skiers, however this is our first time staying in the valley and deciding where to ski on a day-to-day basis rather than being based at a single resort.
My friend has been to Pila multiple times and we're staying a 5-minute walk from the gondola, so that's our convenient local option sorted. I've skied Cervinia before so know that area reasonably well, but otherwise the valley is new territory for us.
I'm looking for tips from those who know the area:
Resorts:
What are the must-ski resorts within ~1 hour's drive of Aosta?
Is it worth the drive up to La Thuile and skiing into France (La Rosiere) for the day? Does the cross-border link work well?
How would you split 6 days of skiing across the valley?
Am I right in thinking smaller resorts like Pila tend to be much quieter midweek compared to Cervinia?
Food & Drink:
Any standout restaurants/bars in Aosta town itself?
Where's good to eat slopeside - any rifugios or mountain restaurants we shouldn't miss?
Anywhere decent to watch the football (Premier League/Champions League) if we fancy a night in town?
Pricing:
I'm used to French resort prices - assuming Italy is a touch cheaper but not dramatically so? Also assuming Aosta is cheaper then the resorts?
Any other Aosta Valley tips or hidden gems would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
I've been to all Aosta resorts, except Champorcher.
La Thuile is good. Especially the runs from Chaz Dura direction the pass road. Plus fast uplift back, high intensity. La Rosiere, do not miss the offpiste route from Mont Valaisan directly back to La Thuile. But do check out avy safety before.
Pila is brilliant, especially with the new lifts.
But overloaded over the weekend, go there midweek.
Avoid Courmayeur. Unless you are an offpiste fanatici, AND there is a big snowfall less than 49 hours ago, AND Cresta is open.
Do not skip Monte Rosa.
Did I already mention, do not skip Monte Rosa?
At least 2 days. Best start in Staffal. Yes, that is longer than 60 minutes drive. Yes, you will hit yourself in your head the rest of your life if you miss it. Or go there one day, and book a full week next winter.
For specials. Do not miss one of these
1. Crevacol
2. Chamois
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Tue 13-01-26 11:36; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I liked La Thuile and La Rosiere a lot when I went last March skiing with a group of instructors. So much that im taking the family the week before Easter this year. So I would say it is definitely worth it.
Favourites were the two bordercross tracks, mont valasian freeride area on the la rosiere side, good range of runs from steep blacks to wide easy blues. There is a very long T-bar ride back to La Thuile that shouldn't be a problem for your group but I wouldn't leave it too late, I believe there is a considerable fine for late commers to get back but I guess the warning sign does insinuate that they will actually run it if deemed nessescary. Again on the La Thuile side there is a great selection of runs, the red runs from top to bottom on either side 18 or 6 I really enjoyed, 18 was often empty and when it was I skied it in a tuck practicing long turns. The weather/vis was often different on either side which works well if you are ok skiing with very low viz to get there or come back. Looking forward to it already and I have another trip before then. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
7 is the one on the otherside, got cut up earlier than 18 so I would do that first, the lower part of 6 turns into a slushy rutted gun barrel in the afternoon but it taught me a thing or two and I liked it in the end.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I really rate La Thuille , skiing on the pass and La Thuille side is better than La Rosiere although wouldn’t put you off what is an easy visits , the drag back is not as bad as some make out .
Lunch is best in the La Thuille town close to the piste , the best being Papita . lo Tata or the Copperpan . I love lunching in La Thuille and make a special visit two or three times a season .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Soreen wrote: |
Pricing:
I'm used to French resort prices - assuming Italy is a touch cheaper but not dramatically so? Also assuming Aosta is cheaper then the resorts?
|
I think you'll be very surprised at the pricing! As an example, I was teaching in Pila last season, and we all met in the Yeti bar every morning where I'd have an apple juice, a salami roll and a croissant and it was only just over €5! That's probably half what you'd pay in France!
I didn't go, but I wanted to go to this pizza place in Aosta, but plans didn't work out:
https://www.isaulle.com/
It's the top rated pizzeria in Aosta, and does Neapolitan style pizzas, and they start at €7.50 for a Margherita! Again about half what you'd expect to pay in France.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Onnem wrote: |
....Avoid Courmayeur. Unless you are an offpiste fanatici,... |
As its posted in "Off Piste" I'd assume that what they're looking for. Otherwise it'd be in "The Piste" or "Resort review..." surely?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| adithorp wrote: |
| Onnem wrote: |
....Avoid Courmayeur. Unless you are an offpiste fanatici,... |
As its posted in "Off Piste" I'd assume that what they're looking for. Otherwise it'd be in "The Piste" or "Resort review..." surely? |
I overlooked that obe. Sorry for that.
If you are serious about off-piste, it would be ridiculous to miss Gressoney. The Funifor Indren to 3200 is unique in the sense, it was built specifically for freeride.
Here is a large report with lots of photos from Indren including the colours.
http://www.sommerschi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3276
It is in the same League as La Grave, Verbier (I skied Mont Gele front side) etcetera.
Chamois, the offpiste route from the top to Cheneil.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
6 days. Definitely do one in La Thuile and one in the Monte Rosa resorts (you can ski them all in one day). Probably one of the artisan small ones mentioned above. Maybe a day in Cervinia and as many days in Pila as you have tolerance for? Check the lift pass options, you will get days in other Aosta resorts as standard, but you will prob not get the international pass to ski into Zermatt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yep all the resorts have strengths and weaknesses - but that's the great thing about a valley holiday with a car as you can choose which to repeat based on preference and conditions.
Pila was better than expected and fine for a couple of days to reduce driving - probably much improved with this year's new lift.
Cervinia is great (did full week there last year) snowsure and an ok drive if you park at Valtournenche. You don't need the Zermatt side for 1 or even 2 days - plenty to go at.
Love Monte Rosa.
To balance above comments I really liked Courmayeur for a 2/3 day in the sun - Dead easy from the car park at Val Veney funicular, then absolutely stunning views up Monte Bianco as you climb up amongst and above the trees on that side. There's a nice budget pizza restaurant - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NA1iz5AZLsBnTFF49 followed by a walk around the posh shops and a drink amongst the beautiful people at one of the main street bars.
If your valley ticket includes take a couple of hours out and do the skyway up the big hill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Quote: |
| As its posted in "Off Piste" I'd assume that what they're looking for. Otherwise it'd be in "The Piste" or "Resort review..." surely |
No mention from the OP of seeking off piste - I think it's in the wrong thread... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Quote: |
| As its posted in "Off Piste" I'd assume that what they're looking for. Otherwise it'd be in "The Piste" or "Resort review..." surely |
No mention from the OP of seeking off piste - I think it's in the wrong thread... |
I wouldn’t worry about this either way, the OP has history of asking for info then never coming back, not even to say thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Thanks @ster 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Champoluc is worth a look
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
