Downhill skiing in Courmayeur

The Courmayeur Mont Blanc Checrouit-Val Veny ski area

The ski area develops on the two sides of the ridge that separates Courmayeur from Val Veny. It concerns the slopes that descend towards Plan Checrouit and those on the right side of Val Veny. It is a very large system, which includes almost 30 ski slopes, for a total of about 100 km. Beautiful, well-groomed slopes, favored by good natural snow and, if necessary, by an efficient artificial snow system. There are all the difficulties, blue, red, black. Ideal for both expert skiers and beginners even if, it must be said, they are never simple. Among them, the “Gigante”, the “Aretu”, the “Gabba” and the hidden “Joula” stand out for their beauty. The black slopes are also beautiful, among which the “dell’Orso” slope deserves to be mentioned, unique in the whole of the Aosta Valley for the fact that it is left ungroomed and bumpy for the pleasure of those who love a very technical descent. From Testa d’Arp (2755 m), the highest point, one of the most important “freeride” itineraries in the area descends. The ski area is served by 18 ski lifts: 6 cable cars, 8 chair lifts, 4 ski lifts. There are three starting points from the valley floor, each with ticket offices and parking lots. Courmayeur itself, where the large cable car to Plan Checrouit (1704 m) departs, which in turn is the starting point for various lifts. Dolonne, where the new cable car also departs for Plan Checrouit. Entrèves, where the cable car to Pre de Pascal (1912 m) departs, which allows you to reach the Val Veny lifts.

Completing the picture are the numerous refreshment points, scattered throughout the network. But, above all, the unmissable glimpse of the Mont Blanc massif, which extends up to the Grandes Jorasses. A wonder that alone justifies the expense for the ski pass. Among the many attractions we should also mention the “Snowpark” for the practice of “freestyle”, with a gigantic Big Air Bag, the largest mattress in Europe to try ski jumps without getting hurt. And also free WiFi throughout the area, for updated information in real time.

The Skyway and skiing in the ice of Mont Blanc

The Skyway (Mont Blanc cable car) is one of the great attractions of Courmayeur and the whole of the Aosta Valley. The lift climbs to the intermediate station of the Pavillon du Mont Fréty (2173 m) and continues up to 3462 m of altitude of Punta Helbronner, the starting point for wonderful “freeride” ski itineraries among the glaciers of Mont Blanc. If desired, through an internal tunnel with goods lift, it is possible to go down to the Torino Refuge (3374 m). The start is in Pontal, a hamlet of Entreves, a short distance from the entrance to the tunnel and the cable car that leads to Pre de Pascal. Here, you will find a large car park, equipment rentals and refreshment points. The most famous and desired destination is the descent in fresh snow of the Vallée Blanche and the Mer de Glace to the Montenvers railway station, above Chamonix.

Other ski areas nearby

Among those who stay for many days in the same ski resort the desire to try different places is normal. For them Courmayeur can offer a wide choice, both in the Aosta Valley and in France. For example, La Thuile is only 25 km away. Thanks to the connections with the Piccolo San Bernando Pass and with La Rosière, in France, its area has almost 150 km of slopes of all levels of difficulty, including the famous black return slopes, which are very long and difficult. An alternative a little further away is Pila, which can be reached from Aosta by leaving the car in the parking lot and climbing comfortably on the fast cable car. There are numerous slopes and lifts, which lead up to 2500 m of altitude. Going through the Mont Blanc tunnel, you arrive in French territory, where you can try the districts of Chamonix, Les Huches and Argentière. The latter is particularly known for the ascent to Les Grandes Montets (3275 m), from which you can set off for a 2000-meter dive!