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One of the unsung heroes of Italian skiing, the Aosta Valley is pretty much the perfect ski destination. Surrounded by the highest mountains in Europe, including Mont Blanc, the Aosta Valley has 19 resorts, more than 800 kilometres of slopes, 8 snow parks and a single ski pass.
Popular with everyone from pro skiers to families, the variety of ski terrain on offer draws visitors year after year, offering everything from challenging freeride and black pistes, to wonderful ski schools and easy slopes for beginners. One of the other elements that makes the Aosta Valley so interesting as a ski destination is its rich history - from the spectacular Roman ruins, beautiful churches and fascinating archaeological sites of Aosta town, to the ancient castles dotting the valley.
Home to some of the Alps' household names such as Cervinia, Courmayeur and Pila, there is also a world beyond the bigger resorts, the world of the Aosta Valley's smaller resorts, ideal for Aosta Valley family skiing holidays. And now discovering the magic of skiing in these smaller ski resorts in the Aosta Valley has never been easier, thanks to the newly enhanced Magic Skipass, which offers families the chance to enjoy their passion for snow at an unbeatable price.
Where is the Aosta Valley?
The smallest region of Italy located in the Northwest of the country; the Aosta Valley region 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 Europe's highest peaks: Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc, which at 15,781 feet is the highest mountain in Europe. 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 weekend or short break.
The Aosta Valley is an important crossroads in the Western Alps, linked to France by the Mont-Blanc tunnel and the pass du Petit-Saint-Bernard and to Switzerland via the Grand-Saint-Bernard pass and tunnel. Aosta has something for every kind of skier, from beginners to thrill-seekers.
What is the Magic Skipass?
The Magic Skipass is a promotion created by the Aosta Valley Region to encourage visitors to explore some of the smaller, lesser known resorts, follow more out-of-the-ordinary itineraries and discover a different way of experiencing winter in this beautiful region.
The Magic Skipass benefits include:
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6 days of skiing in participating resorts for only €100 for adults, free for children up to 8 years old (at purchase of an adult skipass) and €80 for children under 14 years old.
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The ski pass can be used for a maximum of three days of skiing in the same small area.
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One hour of ski or snowboard lessons at participating Ski Schools. The ski lesson must be booked directly at the ski school of the ski resort. Weekends are excluded from the offer.
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One free night in a hotel for 1 or two children up to 18 years old, sharing a room with the parents.
Is it good to ski at smaller resorts?
Some visitors, especially those with young families, or who are beginners, can be intimidated by skiing at larger resorts. The obvious benefit to skiing in a smaller resort is that you get a totally different vibe, usually with fewer crowds, and queues. There are also often options to try different kinds of winter sports and other non-ski activities, such as ski mountaineering, gaining a different insight into the landscapes, culture and traditions of an area.
And if you're not a fan of skiing every day in the same ski resort, with the Aosta Valley Magic Skipass there are 11 to try!
Discover the Magic Skipass ski resorts
Experience the other side of skiing in the Aosta Valley. The Magic Skipass promotion will be valid for the entire season without limitations, including weekends and holidays in 11 small districts: Antagnod, Brusson, Chamois, Champorcher, Cogne, Crévacol, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, La Magdeleine, Ollomont, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Valgrisenche.
Antagnod ski resort
Altitude: 1,710m
Ski area: 11km; 1 black run, 2 red, 4 blue
Antagnod, in the Val d'Ayas, in the Monterosa ski area, is a small village known for its traditional architecture and great views of Monte Rosa. Ideal for family holidays, the little ones will like it for its baby snowpark, and experienced skiers will appreciate its technical slopes. You can also visit the Museum of Sacred Art with unique wood-carvings dating back to the 14th century. The location is also ideal for ski mountaineering.
Brusson ski resort
Altitude: 1,338m
Ski area: 8km; 6 red, 3 blue
Sandwiched between high peaks, dense woods and pastures, Brusson is a small, sunny paradise for ski enthusiasts: it has access to 8km of slopes reaching up to Estoul, at 2,000m, where there are magnificent downhill slopes that, through forests of larches, push towards Punta Palasinaz, between mountains with gentle slopes. Children will love the Estoul baby snowpark with its inflatables and rafts or try ice skating. Brusson is also ideal for ski mountaineering and Nordic skiing. You can also visit the Gold Mines, Château de Graines and Haut Val d'Ayas Cheese Factory.
Chamois ski resort
Altitude: 1,800m
Ski area: 14 km; 6 red, 2 blue.
Chamois, at 1,800m in Valtournenche, is one of 23 Alpine locations awarded the 'Pearl of the Alps' label. Car-free, Chamois is an advocate for gentle and sustainable tourism. Reachable via the cable car from Buisson, it is steeped in Aosta Valley traditions, characterised by its ancient wood and stone houses, its colours and an idea of unconventional travel. As well as having a children's park, there are chances to try ski mountaineering, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and hike panoramic trails.
Champorcher ski resort
Altitude: 1,440m
Ski area: 12km; 3 black, 13 red, 2 blue
Just 21 km from the border with Piedmont, Champorcher is the first ski resort in the Aosta Valley that visitors will come to from Turin. Framed by unspoilt nature and with stunning high peak views, it's a resort that blends beautiful nature, skiing and the ancient culture and traditions. You can visit the remains of the castle of the Lords of Bard, its crenellated tower and the church of San Nicola. Ideal for skiing, snowboarding, panoramic slopes, ski mountaineering, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, medieval history. You can also visit the Baby snowpark, Mont Avic Natural Park and Ecomusée du Hemp.
Cogne ski resort
Altitude: 1,544m
Ski area: 9km; 1 black, 4 red, 2 blue
Ideal for sustainable tourism, tradition and valley culture, Cogne is an authentic Pearl of the Alps. Nestled in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, it's the perfect destination for fun in the snow, reaching an altitude of 2252 metres. Overlooking one of the largest mountain meadows in Europe, the Sant'Orso meadow is an area for alpine skiing, particularly suitable for families. While skiing you might spot chamois and foxes in the wild and discover some of the more than 150 ice waterfalls. A ride in the enchanted forest of Sylvenoire on a horse-drawn sleigh will make your holiday even more magical! You can also try, snowshoeing, a bobsleigh track and snow tubing.
Crevacol ski resort
Altitude: 1,640m
Ski area: 22km; 1 black, 8 red, 3 blue
With south-facing and very sunny slopes, extending up to 2,450m, Crevacol is a little-known snow paradise for skiers and snowboarders of all levels who want to have fun away from the traffic of the big resorts. It's ideal for skiing, snowboarding, ski-touring and snowshoeing. It has a children's play area and high-altitude solarium. The snowpark is equipped with snowtubing, airboard, fox skiing, sleds and bobsleigh.
Gressoney-Saint-Jean ski resort
Altitude: 1,385m
Ski area: 8km; 2 black, 5 red, 4 blue
An elegant mountain resort, situated in a beautiful setting with a view over the Lyskamm glacier and the impressive Monte Rosa massif. You can ski on the legendary slopes of Weissmatten, among centuries-old Swiss pines and frozen lakes or try the black slope 'Internazionale Leonardo David' which during the night openings allows enthusiasts to skiing under the stars. Magical for all winter sports lovers and for discovering the land and history of the Walser people. Great, too, for ski mountaineering and Nordic skiing. Visit Weissmatten baby snow park, Savoie castle, treasure museum, Walser village and the ice rink on a frozen lake.
La Magdeleine ski resort
Altitude: 1,650m
Ski area: 5km; 1 red, 1 blue
Surrounded by vast forests, La Magdeleine, is the smallest village in Valtournenche, with just 100 inhabitants. A charming village, still untouched by mass tourism, it's simple and picturesque, with wooden and stone buildings where it is still possible to find ancient rural constructions such as rascards for the hay storage and greniers to store cereals. It's a resort ideal for beginners and children, thanks to its very easy downhill slope, magic carpet and a renovated snow playground.
Ollomont ski resort
Altitude: 1,335m
Ski area: 1km; 1 blue run
An enchanting old copper mining village, now rooted in nature, sitting in a sunny position in a strikingly beautiful landscape. It's ideal for first-timers or anyone aiming to get their ski legs away from the crowds. The baby snowpark features a bobsleigh and inflatable structures. It is also the starting point for mountaineering ascents, such as at the Grand Combin and Mont Vélan and ski mountaineering excursions.
Rhêmes-Notre-Dame ski resort
Altitude: 1,725m
Ski area: 7km; 2 black, 3 red, 2 blue
With only 76 inhabitants, Rhêmes is the smallest municipality in the Aosta Valley. Surrounded by majestic mountains in an authentic natural oasis on the border with the Gran Paradiso National Park, it's far from the most crowded tourist spots. The Rhêmes valley hosts two ski areas: Chanavey, ideal for expert skiers, and Bruil, which entertains adults and children thanks to its snow playground complete with three magic carpets and equipment such as snow bikes, ski foxes, air boards and inflatable boats. Chances, too, to try ski mountaineering, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing.
Valgrisenche ski resort
Altitude: 1,664m
Ski area: 5km; 2 black, 1 red, 1 blue
If you want to experience the magic of skiing immersed in unspoilt nature, at the foot of the Gran Paradiso, you should try not to miss Valgrisenche. Here, thanks to the low temperatures, the snow remains incredibly powdery for a long time. You can ski almost 2,000 metres, surrounded by spectacular glaciers and lush forests. This small area is well suited to advanced intermediate and expert skiers, though children will appreciate the fun snow park. This area is also perfect for snowshoe excursions and ski mountaineering, bookable with local mountain guides. You can also go heliskiing.
For more information and to buy your Magic Skipass, go to skilife.ski
