Pila’s proximity to the motorway network makes for a short and relatively straightforward transfer, with driving time from Turin, less than 2 hours. It is also possible to reach Pila by public transport. Nearest Airports to Pila The most convenient...
Pila
Pila is a high snowsure ski resort linked by lift to Aosta, an old Roman town with cobbled alleyways and an elegant piazza. Pila does not have a big ski area but it's a good value resort, well suited to beginners, families and mixed groups that include non-skiers or part-time skiers.
Family-friendly and affordable, Pila has all the advantages of a modern purpose-built ski resort such as reliable snow cover, plenty of slope-side accommodation and a traffic-free centre. But it also has an escape route back into the real world via a 20-minute gondola ride down to Aosta, the historic regional centre of this mountainous part of Italy.
Pila’s ski area is compact but interesting. There are 15 lifts and 29 different numbered pistes. Almost all of them are graded red, but there also good nursery slopes and some good blue runs for beginners to progress onto before tackling the gentlest reds. Experts are not totally forgotten about with four black runs, a freestyle area and some good off-piste skiing on wooded North-facing slopes or on higher bowls some of which require a short climb. Almost the entire ski area faces North and is above 1800m so snow quality is good.
Pila used to claim to have 75kms of runs but it’s now reduced its estimate to 50kms, which feels more accurate. For beginners, near-novices and occasional skiers who want to spend a couple of days looking at historical monuments in Aosta that’s probably just enough for a week. For stronger intermediates, keen piste bashers and advanced skiers, Pila only makes sense for a weekend (it’s very easy to reach), unless they plan to stay down the mountain in Aosta and travel to other neighbouring resorts like Monterosa, Courmayeur, Cervinia and La Thuile. There is a special Valle d’Aosta lift pass that covers them all.
Apres ski in Pila is relaxed, family-friendly and very Italian, just like the resort’s main clientele. Nightlife is limited, and the lift down to Aosta closes in the early evening. So whilst there are bars and clubs, if you like drinking and dancing till the small hours, you’d be better off staying elsewhere.
Pila Pros & Cons
+ High, North-facing snowsure slopes
+ Choice of tree skiing and open bowls
+ Good facilities for beginners and kids
+ Affordable ski-in, ski-out accommodation
+ Easy to reach / ‘weekendable’
+ Historic Aosta offers some variety to a ski holiday and is a good base for visiting other resorts
– Ski area is too small for keen skiers for a week
– Very quiet at night
Helpful Links
- Accommodation in Pila and Aosta: Hotels, Chalets, Self-Catering Apartments, Package Holidays, Where to stay… Read more >
- How to get to Pila. Nearest Airports and Railway Stations, Airport Transfers, Hire Cars… Read more >
- Ski Schools & Guides in Pila. Ski & Snowboard Schools, Mountain Guides, Private Instructors… Read more >
- Discounted Ski & Snowboard Rental in Pila:
- SKISET also has outlets in Pila and has agreed to give Ultimate-ski readers advance booking discounts of up to 50%
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Pila and Pila 2000 have great value accommodation including good 2-star and 3-star hotels and simple apartments for self-catering. Many of the hotels are close enough to the pistes to be effectively ski-in, ski-out. Or you can stay in Aosta...
Pila has a large ski school, which offers guiding as well as group lessons and private instruction in Alpine skiing and boarding. The ski school also offers lessons in telemark, carving and snow blading. Book Ski Schools & Ski Lessons...
Pila Ski Area Pila’s compact ski area offers interesting, high altitude skiing on mainly gentle North facing slopes, bordered by ancient woods of birch and larch, which usually guarantee excellent snow conditions. The ski area includes three blue runs, 22...
Pila Ski Lifts & Lift Passes Pila’s modern lift system of 14 ski lifts includes a cable car, gondola and eight chairlifts, serving a 70km network of 29 groomed runs and with an up-hill capacity of 19,700 people per hour....
Pila Beginner Skiing Pila has wide, gentle, snowsure nursery slopes with child friendly magic carpet lifts, conveniently located in the centre of the village, and a variety of runs for novices to progress onto including some easy redsfor near-novices. Other...
Pila Intermediate Skiing Pila’s is especially good for intermediates with plenty of wide, tree-lined runs. The ski area includes 22 red, three blue and four black pistes on north and north-east facing slopes which typically hold good snow conditions. The...
Pila Advanced Skiing Pila’s ski area is small but it's high and North-facing. Its steepest runs are found around the two Couis chairlifts. There are four reasonably long black runs in this area, as well as a free ride zone...
Pila Boarding & Freestyle Pila is a popular resort with snowboarders and offers scenic, crowd free slopes, endless woods for off-piste powder, an extensive snow park and a challenging half pipe. There are few flats and no drag lifts to...
Pila Mountain Restaurants Pila’s mountain restaurants are cosy, friendly and welcoming with many opening in the evenings, offering transportation by snow cat or snow mobile. There are also plenty of informal bars serving snacks and drinks alongside some more formal...
Pila Village Pila is a small purpose built ski resort at 1,800m with an attractive centre close to the top of the Aosta gondola from the historic town of Aosta. Located slightly higher up the resort at 2,000m is ‘Pila...
Pila Apres Ski Bars & Restaurants Pila is a quiet, family friendly resort and not renowned for lively night life! The après ski is low key and informal, centred around the sunny terraces of the bars and hotels adjacent to...
Pila Other Activities Pila has good facilities for children and plenty of other activities besides skiing. Its proximity to the Roman town of Aosta offers the opportunity to add a cultural dimension to your ski holiday. Snow Shoeing in Pila...