Italy for me From Italy with love
Courmayeur is one of the top three most expensive and elite ski resorts in Italy, along with Madonna di Campiglio and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Located on the border with France, it bears the imprint of French charm and a special taste for life.
The slopes here are polished to perfection and not intended for beginners. Off-piste descents start from dizzying heights and run down slopes that even experienced freeriders find challenging. At the bottom, the carousel of high society life spins: elegant hotels, exquisite restaurants, the famous Pre Saint Didier thermal baths, and carnivals – a true capital city experience.
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Geographical Location of Courmayeur
Courmayeur can rightfully be called the capital of the Val d’Aosta ski region – the highest in Italy. There is a highway leading here from Milan and Turin with branches to the resorts of Monte Rosa, Cervinia, and La Thuile. The road ends at the majestic Mont Blanc (Montblanc, 4810 m), the highest peak in Europe. In Italian, it’s called Monte Bianco – the “White Mountain,” and at its foot lies Courmayeur. It sits at an altitude of 1224 meters, surrounded by four main alpine peaks above four thousand meters.
To the northeast, the Val Ferret valley leads to the border with Switzerland, and to the northwest, the Val Veny valley marks the border with France. Ahead is the Mont Blanc tunnel (Tunnel del Monte Bianco), and on the other side of the tunnel is the French sister resort of Chamonix.
History of Courmayeur
Courmayeur is a place with rich historical traditions.
Since ancient Roman times, thermal springs gushed from the mountains, and in 1834, thermal baths were built here, becoming a retreat for aristocrats and members of the royal family. Now the Pre Saint Didier complex has been revived in all its ancient splendor near the Cascata del Orrida waterfall, located 5 km from Courmayeur. It offers unique opportunities for relaxation, with warm pools of healing waters in the winter, under the open sky and surrounded by icy peaks – an exotic experience of these places.
- Official website: termedipre.it
The second factor that made Courmayeur the ski capital is its proximity to Mont Blanc. Since the conquest of this peak in 1784, mountaineers gathering here spurred the development of the tourist centers in Chamonix and Courmayeur. The first high-class mountain guides’ school was founded here. Today, the resort has two ski schools, and no serious freerider route is possible without an experienced specialist from Societa Guide Alpine Courmayeur (Courmayeur Guides Association).
In the 1940s, the first cable car was built in Courmayeur – the Dolonne lift. On May 30, 2016, the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car appeared – from the base of the mountain to the Helbronner peak (3462 m).
The glass cabins, resembling Christmas ornaments, are equipped with modern heating systems and rotate, providing a panoramic view of the valley. In just 10 minutes, they cover an altitude difference of over 2,000 meters, taking lucky visitors to the roof of Europe. From here, one can admire the icy peaks of the alpine mountains on equal footing, not from below. Alternatively, they can descend from dizzying heights back to the Val Veny valley towards Courmayeur or forward to the White Valley, from where, after overcoming 20 km of ice fields, they can reach the French Chamonix on the other side of Mont Blanc.
Today, Courmayeur has the ability to attract and enchant many. Stress and relaxation, leisure and sports, risk, and carefree fun – all of this creates an unforgettable atmosphere of an upscale resort, where spending money is a pleasure because it’s worth it.
Winter Season Features in Courmayeur
The cost of ski passes and, consequently, the entire resort services in Courmayeur has two categories.
December 7-24 – the regular price season. The snow cover is not stable, and the upper slopes are maintained with snow cannons, while the lower parts of the slopes are still closed. Runs, especially the black ones, are very short.
December 24 – January 10 – the high season of Christmas holidays.
Main attractions during this time:
- Remi de Noel – Santa Claus changes his usual outfit of a chimney sweep and descends from Mont Blanc to give Christmas gifts to children.
- Free sessions with Santa Clauses offered by local instructors to everyone who comes to them in these costumes.
- December 30 – the official opening of the ski season in Courmayeur. Grand descent of instructors with lit torches in their hands – a tradition of this celebration.
January 11 – February 5 – regular season and the best time for skiing.
February 6 – February 21 – the high season of carnival celebrations.
During this time, the resort hosts:
- Carnival of Lovers on February 14, dedicated to St. Valentine, whom the city’s residents consider their patron saint.
- Annual Lo Camentran, Carnival – the spring carnival, the main winter show of the resort.
February 22 – April 10 – regular season. On the southern slopes, the snow starts melting by mid-March. Still, the resort and its slopes are located at a lower altitude for skiing in the middle of spring.
How to Get to Courmayeur
To reach the resort of Courmayeur from Milan Malpensa Airport, the distance is 220 km (136.7 miles), and from Turin (Torino) it is 147 km (91.3 miles).
The optimal way to get there, along with other ski resorts in the Valle d’Aosta region, is to rent a car for the entire duration of your stay. The resorts in this small province are situated close to each other and connected by a single ski pass, providing the opportunity to access the slopes of ski resorts like Chamonix and La Rosiere in France.
Renting a car for your stay in Courmayeur and the surrounding resorts of Valle d’Aosta is the optimal way to ensure mobility. The town’s hotels are situated far from the ski lifts, and entertainment venues are scattered as well. The cost of car rental ranges from 180 to 200 euros (€). If you book the car online with a prepayment, you will need to use the same card for payment upon collection at the airport.
For those who prefer train travel, you can check the current schedule and purchase train tickets on the official website of Trenitalia.
Trails, Lifts & Ski Passes in 2024-2025 Winter Season
In Courmayeur, there are a total of 100 km of well-groomed slopes, but they are of the highest quality: they are interesting and well-prepared. No matter how they may get rough by the end of the day, the slopes delight skiers’ eyes with their well-maintained condition: dense, smooth descents with not a single bump promise a lot of positive emotions. The ski resort map of Courmayeur is available in PDF format.
The skiing area is divided into two parts: the southeast area – for intermediate and less experienced skiers, and the north area, dominated by black and challenging red slopes.
In the southeast part – Checrouit – skiers are transported from the valley by two lifts, Courmayeur and Dolonne. The first one is located in the city center, so there can be queues here. The second one is situated on the outskirts, and a ski bus takes people to it every 40 minutes. For those who have a car, it’s convenient to use the Dolonne lift, as there is a parking lot available.
Blue slopes
For beginners, there are only 15 km of slopes, starting at the top of MotChetif (2343 m) and descending in different directions:
- Chetif,
- Prato,
- PraNeyron.
Red slopes
Red slopes, totaling 65 km (approximately 40.4 miles), cater to intermediate skiers seeking to enhance their skills:
- The Internazionale slope, the most popular and longest on the resort, starts from the Lago Checrouit area and descends towards the Zerotta lift (vertical drop of 700 m or 2297 ft).
- The Lazey and Checrouit descents also originate from the Lago Checrouit area and generally have fewer crowds, resulting in better conditions by day’s end.
- The Youla slope descends from the highest skiing area, Gresta Youla, at 2624 m (8612 ft), which is less crowded compared to other sections.
- Dolonne is the sole slope that allows skiers to descend to the valley without using a lift, making it convenient for those who have parked their cars there to conclude their skiing.
Black slopes
The black slopes, covering a combined distance of 20 km (approximately 12.4 miles), are concentrated in the northwest area of Val Veny. Sunlight appears here towards the end of the day, preserving the snow effectively.
The “Competizione” championship slope features a sudden wall, while the equally challenging Rosse Blanche and Des Eves slopes wind through dark coniferous forests, serving as the resort’s main attractions.
Experienced skiers claim that all of Courmayeur’s slopes can be skied in a single day. Ski passes allowing access to neighboring resorts and interesting slopes throughout the entire Valle d’Aosta region ensure that skiers of any level will have an exciting and fulfilling vacation.
Off-Piste Skiing
Freeriders are the most devoted admirers of Courmayeur. Coming here multiple times, they discover secluded spots where they train, following the advice of professional guides. Venturing off-piste without guides is not recommended for the main off-piste descents:
- Gresta Youla Summit – Vesses Ice Field – Val Veny Valley.
- Grestd’Arp Summit, 2755 m (9038 feet) – Cold’Arp Pass, 2570 m (8400 feet) – Dolonne Valley.
- Punta Hebronner, 3462 m (11358 feet) – Val Verret Valley – with a vertical drop of 2000 m (6562 feet).
- Punta Hebronner – Vallee Blanche (White Valley) – the legendary descent of the Courmayeur resort.
In addition to providing advice and assistance to freeriders, the guides’ association of Courmayeur also organizes heli-skiing and snowshoeing trips to Chamonix, through the icy expanses of the White Valley.
Lifts
The resort is serviced by two gondolas, 7 chairlifts, and funiculars, as well as 11 T-bar lifts. Tourists are transported from the valley to the skiing areas from four stations: Courmayeur and Dolonne, Entreves, and Skyway Monte Bianco.
The latest addition to the lift system is the Punta Hebronner lift, constructed using state-of-the-art technology. This peak is connected to the Aiguille du Midi peak in Chamonix through a panoramic cable car. From there, tourists can descend to the French slopes of Mont Blanc – the Chamonix resort. Such an aerial cruise over the Alpine peaks allows an integrated lift system between the Italian and French resorts. The ascent from Courmayeur to Punta Hebronner costs €40 (about 36 USD).
Ski Passes
The resort operates a ski pass system with prices varying based on the season:
- A one-day adult ski pass costs €50 in the regular season and €55 in the high season.
- Special rates are available for children aged 8-14, teenagers aged 14-18, and seniors aged 64 and above.
- A 3-5 day pass allows skiing at any Aosta resort for 1 day.
- A 6-11 day pass allows skiing at other resorts for 2 days.
- An 11-14 day pass grants access to valley resorts for 3 days.
The “Courmayeur + Skyway Monte Bianco + Valle d’Aosta” ski pass provides access to the following ski lifts:
- Courmayeur, including Skyway Monte Bianco
- La Thuile
- Cervinia,
- resorts of Champoluc, Gressoney,
- Pila resort. A one-day ski pass of this type cost 46€.
- The “Valle d’Aosta” 6-day ski pass allows access to the lifts at the Swiss resort of Verbier (Verbier ski lifts).
- The Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass grants access to the lifts at the following resorts:
- Courmayeur, including Skyway Monte Bianco
- Chamonix
- Verbier
- Megeve (Megeve ski lifts). Additionally, this pass offers discounts on buses and private transport for travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
You can download the ski pass price table for Courmayeur in PDF format for detailed pricing information.
Hotels in Courmayeur
Accommodations in Courmayeur are not situated near the ski lifts, which are located on the outskirts of the town. The most convenient place to stay is in the city center, close to the bus station, central square, shops, and restaurants. Hotel prices tend to increase during the Christmas holidays (December 24 – January 10) and the February carnivals (February 6 – 21). There is a wide range of hotels to choose from, ranging from luxurious five-star rooms to apartments with more modest amenities.
5 stars
Grand Hotel Royal E Golf
The Grand Hotel Royal E Golf is located near the city center and is equidistant from the Courmayeur and Dolonne ski lifts, with a complimentary bus service to transport guests to the lifts.
The hotel features a spa center with an outdoor pool, a sauna with chromotherapy, and a Turkish bath. The restaurant offers classic Italian cuisine.
4 stars
Cresta Et Duc Hotel
The Cresta Et Duc Hotel, a 4-star establishment, boasts an ideal location just steps away from the central street, Via Roma, in the heart of all entertainment activities, and only 200 meters from the Courmayeur ski lift.
Guests are provided with a relaxation center, a buffet breakfast in the mornings, themed evenings in the restaurant, and an American bar. This hotel is popular among visitors to Courmayeur.
Gran Baita Hotel & Wellness
The Cresta Et Duc is situated in the city center, offering complimentary shuttle service to the Dolonne lift.
The rooms have balconies with views of Mont Blanc. It boasts a fantastic wellness center and a restaurant renowned for its Valdostan cuisine.
3-star Hotels
Hotel Walser
The popular Hotel Walser offers spacious family rooms to its guests.
It features a fitness center and a restaurant with a diverse menu. The nearest cable car is 400 meters away, and the hotel itself is conveniently close to the bus station.
Hotel Dolonne
Located on the outskirts of the city in a historic 16th-century building, Hotel Dolonne‘s romantic setting and proximity to the Dolonne lift attract many guests.
The restaurant serves well-known dishes of the local cuisine.
Apartments and B&B
B&B Residence Checrouit
The Residence Checrouit is a “bed and breakfast” type hotel with a good balance of price and quality.
The rooms are decorated in English style, and guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast at the café in the morning. Ski equipment drying facilities are available. The hotel itself is centrally located, with restaurants and shops within easy reach. The lift is also a short distance away, only 250 meters.
Residence Le Grand Chalet
Residence Le Grand Chalet offers cozy and clean rooms with beddings and a kitchen for its guests. It also has a wellness center that all residents can use for free, as well as private parking.
Three-star hotels, B&Bs, and apartments are highly sought after among tourists, and they are usually booked 1-2 months in advance of the trip.
Best Restaurants in Courmayeur
Italian-style leisure is a ritual dinner with leisurely courses, savoring wines, and quiet intimate conversations. Tourists were surprised to find that they could have heart-to-heart talks with friends best in the atmosphere of Italian restaurants. Italian and Valdostan cuisine dominate the resort. According to tourists’ reviews and our friends’ recommendations, here are some great places to spend an evening:
- At the popular pizzeria Du Tunnel, a budget dinner for a family of four is possible for €90. They serve the most magical pizza, affordable pasta, and it’s always bustling with people. Tourists who have been here recommend it to all newcomers.
Address: Via Circonvallazione, 80, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy. - La Piazzetta – a restaurant with a very welcoming owner and attentive staff. Menu prices are lower than in other places, and the portions are generous with excellent quality. They specialize in signature dishes prepared from seafood.
Address: Via Roma, 13, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy. - American Bar – the center of the resort’s apres-ski scene; skiers share their day’s impressions; and under the sounds of live music, you can even dance. They serve Italian piadina with prosciutto as a snack. Important sports events are broadcasted on a huge monitor.
Address: Via Roma, 43, 11013 Courmayeur AO, Italy.
Near all the ski lifts in Courmayeur, you’ll find restaurants, cafes, and snack bars. Prices there are about €4-€5 higher than in the valley. Pavillon restaurant appeared at the resort along with the Skyway Monte Bianco lift. It’s located at the intermediate Chiecco station. Despite the above-average prices, it’s very popular among tourists, so make sure to book a table upon arrival.
Courmayeur is a winter ski resort in Italy that guarantees high-quality leisure and the joys of life in all its diversity.