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Courmayeur Ski Resort
The restaurants are not only plentiful, they represent everything that is great about eating in the Italian mountains: hot chocolate so thick that you have to finish it with a spoon, risottos with shavings of truffles, succulent fresh pasta, lavish spreads of home-made desserts and south-facing sun terraces full of Italians.
Courmayeur is also a delightful old town, with the best shopping in the Val d'Aosta. Window shopping along the cobbled streets is like a who's who of the fashion world: Hermes, Cartier and Prada to name but a few. And the restaurants and bars in town are not bad either. Can this be enough to justify its inclusion as one of Europe's best ski resorts? If Courmayeur did not happen to back onto the Mont Blanc (or Monte Bianco, as they call it this side of the border) mountain range, perhaps not. But with this setting, the answer is an emphatic ‘yes’.
Intermediates will be happiest with Courmayeur’s on piste skiing, but there is a fabulous range of off-piste and heli ski excursions for the more advanced skier and boarder. The views across to the massif are awe-inspiring. Three cable cars service the ski area on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, all of which is off-piste and forbidden territory without a guide. The descents available here include an alternative route down the Vallée Blanche, 15 miles (24 km) of intermediate off-piste from the Punta Helbronner (3,462 m) all the way down to Chamonix, to testing descents down the side of the Toula glacier.
Courmayeur also offers some of the best heli-skiing in Europe. You take off, quite dramatically, from the heart of the main ski area to access the terrain at the head of the Aosta valley.
Courmayeur at a glance
On the mountain
Ski area
Ski days in Courmayeur are divided into two halves: the morning rays of Checrouit and the afternoon sun of Val Veny, with a copious lunch in between. more...
Lift system
Courmayeur itself has 21 lifts, 100km of pisted runs and an uphill capacity of 8,400 per hour. Despite some antiquated cable cars and slow two-man chairs, queues are not really a problem in Courmayeur. more...
Ski schools & guiding
There are two ski schools in Courmayeur, both of which offer good tuition for skiers and boarders. The mountain
guides are very professional and offer individual guiding
and group tours.
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Advanced
The pistes of Courmayeur will disappoint the advanced skier, but the
superb off-piste, partly on the Mont Blanc itself, more than makes up for this.
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Intermediate
Intermediate skiers may find Courmayeur
slightly limiting, but the skiing is enjoyable and
the 6-day lifte pass includes access to Chamonix for one day.
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Beginner
Courmayeur has one of the most inspirational learning areas in
the world, with Mont
Blanc cheering you on.
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Boarding & freestyle
Courmayeur has a new snow park, boarder-friendly lifts and mostly intermediate pistes as well as masses of excellent off-piste which is a major attraction for experienced riders.
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Mountain restaurants
Courmayeur has many excellent mountain restaurants on offer and only so many days to eat in them, so it is important to choose wisely. more...
Ski Map
- open Ski map
Off the mountains
Village
Courmayeur needs little introduction to the keen skier and mountain enthusiast. Its superb location at the foot of Mont Blanc ensures wonderful skiing in spectacular scenery, and the chic mountain town has plenty to offer skiers and non-skiers alike.
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Accommodation
There are many good hotels and some apartments in Courmayeur and its neighbouring hamlets. Location is an important factor when deciding where to stay.
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Après-ski
One of the striking features of après ski in Courmayeur is how many bars and restaurants serve the famous Italian aperitivo, where you will be offered an assortment of snacks with your pre dinner drink to entice their customers. more...
Other information
The attractive town of Courmayeur with its dramatic location at the foot of Monte Bianco, is a great all round resort with plenty to interest skiers and non-skiers alike. more...
Getting there
Getting to Courmayeur is easy. There are excellent road connections and Courmayeur's proximity to the motorway network makes for a short and relatively straightforward transfer. Courmayeur is also quite easily accessible by public transport.
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Boxes leftside
Navigation
Courmayeur facts
Ski Area
| Base | 4,016 ft 1,224 m |
| Summit | 9,039 ft 2,755 m |
| Elevation | 5,023 ft 1,531 m |
| Area size | 376 a 152 ha |
Trails/runs
| Number of trails | 29 |
| Advanced | 12 % |
| Intermediate | 54 % |
| Beginner | 34 % |
Lifts
| Gondolas/Cable cars | 5 |
| Chairs | 8 |
| Surface lifts | 3 |
