Aosta Valley: Italy’s ultimate ski destination for families

Aosta Valley: Italy’s ultimate ski destination for families

The smallest region of Italy located in the Northwest of the country; Aosta Valley boasts spectacular scenery, world-class skiing and snowboarding, food of the highest quality and a history stretching back to Roman times. At the heart of the alps and bordered by France and Switzerland, Aosta valley is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Europe: Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the king of them all, Mont Blanc, which at 15,781 feet is the highest mountain in Europe, the roof of the old Continent.

 

With the ski season making its debut with the opening of the Cervinia area on 16 October and the other ski resorts opened on 27 November, optimism continues to grow for this season. There is something to discover for everyone; from the international resorts of Breuil-Cervinia nestled between Italy and Switzerland and La Thuile located between Italy and France, to the challenging resorts of Courmayeur and Monterosa (Champoluc and Gressoney La Trinité), and all the way through to the resort of Pila - with Aosta town a gondola ride away.

 

One of Italy’s most beautiful ski destinations, the Aosta Valley has long been a favourite of families looking for a special ski holiday. Home to a host of traditional villages with access to large ski areas, spacious runs with gentle and gradual slopes, Aosta offers Alpine skiing tracks to cater for adults along with easier slopes for children.

With Turin, Milan and Geneva airports all within easy reach, the Aosta Valley resorts are among the easiest to get to from the UK making it an ideal destination for a ski family holiday.

Here is our round-up of the ski resorts which make the Aosta Valley the perfect ski destination for families:

Cogne: At the foot of the Gran Paradiso, the resort is chosen above all by families because it offers slopes suitable for skiers of all levels. With its seven downhill slopes (2 blue, 4 red, 1 black) and 80 km of cross-country skiing, it is also appreciated by those who prefer to take long walks on horse-drawn sleighs or who want to admire the extraordinary waterfalls of ice that characterize the Aosta Valley landscape. Beginners have access to a fun baby slope served by a treadmill where they can learn to ski with joy, and for children fun is guaranteed in the fully equipped baby snow park with inflatables, trampolines and a bobsleigh and tubbing trails.

 

Crévacol: Snow and sun lovers cannot miss the chance to discover the Crévacol ski resort, with its 22 kilometres of slopes (3 blue, 8 red, 1 black). The sunniest resort in the entire region, extends along the Gran San Bernardo valley. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, an 18 km long cross-country trail starts from Etroubles, which goes up the valley, passing through Saint-Oyen, where, in Flassin, there is a well-equipped foyer de fond, up to Saint- Rhémy-en-Bosses. Experience a holiday with the little ones who can have fun with sleds, bobs and bicycles in the Flassin playground. Do not miss the ski mountaineering trails, the snowshoe trails and the areas devoted to snowboarding.

Chamois: The only Italian municipality without cars is located where time slows down and the air is purer. Chamois, the highest municipality in Aosta (1,800 m), is reachable only by cableway from Buisson (Antey-Saint-André). Enchanting for the ancient architecture of its houses, typically that of Valle d'Aosta, Chamois is part of the Pearl of the Alps (a series of places along the Alpine arc that includes mountain places among the most beautiful in Europe, joined by the common desire to promote the protection of the territory and getting around without the constraint of cars). The ideal place for long walks on snowshoes or for those who want to try skis for the first time. The 16 km of slopes (2 blue and 8 red) and the enchanting sunsets behind the Grandes Murailles truly conquer everyone.

Gressoney St-Jean: located in a scenic area of particular interest due to its view over the Lyskamm glacier and the impressive Monte Rosa massif. You can ski on the Weissmatten runs, which are part of the MonterosaSki resort. There are 22 km of Nordic Skiing tracks that host the Monterosalauf cross-country race every year. The resort is home to Weissmatten’s baby snow park where children can play and have a first approach to the snow. Children will be welcomed with two magic carpets, a merry-go-round, snowtubes, ski bikes and routes with a large, inflatable castle and various games.

Torgnon: The land of children and toys. That's why this small but charming ski resort stands out. Sheltered from the cold winds, Torgnon has for years been a favourite destination for families with children who want to give the little ones a holiday tailored to their needs. Equipped with 23 km of slopes of varying difficulty (2 blue, 6 red, 1 black) it is known for its cross-country ski trails and for the famous Winter Park, one of the largest and best equipped playgrounds in the entire Aosta Valley: with its huge slides and various attractions, children can have fun all day long. For snowboarders, there is an area with jumps, rails and an area for beginners.

Champorcher: With an ideal location Champorcher is the closest ski resort in Aosta Valley for those coming from Piedmont and Lombardy. Thanks to its 12 km of slopes (3 blue - 12 red - 5 black) always perfectly covered with snow, is suitable for all types of skiers. There are two school fields for those who want to practice while the Bosco slope is the place where national teams also train. Cross-country skiers can take advantage of a ring track, for a total length of 5 km. There is not only skiing, but also acrobatic jumps in the snow park at an altitude of 2,000m, ski mountaineering for nature lovers and lots of fun for the little ones in the Laris Baby Park.