Overview of Courmayeur
A chic resort situated on the southern side of the foot of Mont Blanc at an altitude of 1224m, the Italian ski resort of Courmayeur lies in the Aosta Valley close to the French border.
This traditional Italian ski resort oozes charm and character, with cobbled streets snaking through a marvellous car-free medieval centre, complemented by bustling cafes and bistros where you can refuel after an exciting day on the slopes and while away a relaxing few hours in good company.
There’s 100km of pristine piste here for skiers and snowboarders of all styles and abilities, with high-altitude skiing accessed via a top lift set at a lofty 2763m and an efficient lift system including gondolas, chairlifts and draglifts, all of which help maximise your time on the powder and minimise hanging around.
The main skiing area is at Plan Checrouit and most of the slopes are northeast and northwest facing therefore reasonably sheltered for snow retention, but an arsenal of snow cannons can cover 80% of the slopes if necessary. As you’d expect, the scenery is sublime, and the panoramic views of the Trail of the Giants afforded by the glass gondola at Mont Blanc are truly awesome.
There are some lovely long runs for experienced skiers here, including the off-piste Valle Blanche, which at 22km is a real thigh-burner, but the on-slope mix here is dominated by cruisy blues and slightly tricker reds, making Courmayeur a savvy choice for intermediate skiers. There’s some good carving and basic freeriding here to keep snowboarders occupied and heli-skiing and other off-piste adventures are all on offer for advanced enthusiasts. You’re also close to the French resort of Chamonix (half an hour away through the Mont Blanc tunnel), so if you really want to explore varied terrain you can purchase a Blanc Unlimited lift pass and indulge in some cross-border escapades. If you’re travelling with your kids in tow, this is a very family-friendly resort with fab facilities and ski schools for youngsters and lots of suitable accommodation, eateries and off-slope activities.
Last but not least, grown ups can look forward to lively apres-ski in a range of bars and pubs where locals and visitors mix in the most amicable manner.
Book your customised Courmayeur ski holiday with Erna Low and look forward to an Italian ski holiday you’ll cherish.