Courmayeur Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
There are stylish Italian fashion boutiques, delicatessens hung with salamis and local cheese, fragrant cafés frothing with cappuccinos, and more bars and restaurants than you would believe. Between skiing and dinner, fur and Gucci-clad Milanese parade in a nightly passeggiata, along pedestrianised Via Roma.
A giant, 130-person cable car from the edge of town swings up to Plan Checrouit, the main ski lift centre. Here you can leave shoes, bags or anything else at lockers in the ski hire shop, to collect on your way down. Another cable car connects from Entreves, next to the Mont Blanc tunnel entrance, and a gondola leaves from Dolonne. The skiing is more remote from town than in many resorts.
Mountain facts
Where in the world?
Hit the slopes
Skiing is on the Colle Checrouit and Val Veny valleys and is not extensive, though there are enough red and blue runs to keep an intermediate in variety for a long weekend. The few black runs and mogul fields are short, but the lures for experts are the off-piste routes reached by cable cars up to Cresta Youla, Cresta d'Arp and the Vallée Blanche.
Snowboarders are lured by the 500m (1,640ft) boardercross run near the top of the Plan de la Gabba chairlift.
The slopes above Val Veny face north, and keep their snow well. Snowmaking is extensive throughout the pisted area.
For more sedate skiing, there are 35km (22 miles) of gentle cross-country trails along the Aosta valley floor.
Beyond the slopes
The six linked cable cars over the Mont Blanc massif to Chamonix, crossing high above the famous Vallee Blanche in France, comprise perhaps the most spectacular cable car journey in the world.
Family fun
Retail therapy
Après ski
The best nightlife is 3km (2 miles) up the valley at La Palud by the Mt Blanc tunnel entrance, a 10-minute taxi ride away. Jimmi's, Hotel Astoria, Frazione La Palud 23, is loudest, open latest and attracts the 18-30 crowd; Maquis, Strada della Brenva 10, Entreves, plays 1970s and 80s music and has a greyer clientele.
In Courmayeur centre, the latest and liveliest disco is Poppy's, Via Circonvallazine 48.
Eating out
Getting around
Splashing out
Accommodation
Luxury
Royal e GolfLuxuriously appointed rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, fitness centre and outdoor hot tub.
Via Roma 87
Tel: (0165) 831 611.
Website: www.royalegolf.com
Moderate
Hotel PavillonThis hotel has an excellent location near the cable car, friendly staff and a good swimming pool.
Strada Regionale 62
Tel: (0165) 846 120.
Website: www.pavillon.it
Budget
Hotel Bouton D'OrA small bed and breakfast run by friendly Andrea and Patricia Casale Brunet offering rustic décor, baths and fantastic views.
Strada Statale 26
Tel: (0165) 846 729.
Website: www.hotelboutondor.com
Getting there
Distances to resort: 108km (67 miles); 142km (88 miles).
Driving times: 1 hour 15 minutes; 1 hour 30 minutes.
Website
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