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With access to 180km of pistes, surrounded by wooded terrain and based at one end of the Monterosa ski area, Champoluc ski resort boasts spectacular glacier views. It benefits from access to the whole Monterosa circuit, renowned for its uncrowded slopes and fabulous off-piste.
Champoluc is strung out along a mountain road, and has a classic ski resort ambience, in contrast to other Monterosa resorts, which feel more like authentic little Italian villages. With more hotels than other resorts in the area, Champoluc is the largest base in the Three Valleys. Whilst it has less charm than the resorts of Gressoney and Alagna in the other two valleys, it still has some good old Italian character.
Monterosa Ski Group is one of the largest existing systems of ski areas, where expert skiers and beginners alike can spend the perfect holiday: from the historic Champoluc and Gressoney-La-Trinité up to Alagna Valsesia, in Piedmont, to the slopes of small resorts such as Brusson, Antagnod (Val d'Ayas) and Gressoney-Saint-Jean up to the Champorcher valley, in the Mont Avic Park.
Champoluc at 1,570m is the main resort in the Val d'Ayas. Surrounded by pine woods, it offers spectacular views of the Monte Rosa glaciers and the rocky buttresses of Mont Sarezza and the Testa Grigia. Antagnod above at 1,710m also has spectacular views as well as well preserved old buildings, including the famous "maison Fournier" once the stronghold of the counts of Challant.
Where is Champoluc ski resort?
Champoluc is one of the main resorts serving the huge Monterosa ski massif on the border of Italy and Switzerland. The closest airport is Turin, with a transfer time of 1hr 45mins, but Milan and Geneva are within easy reach also (Milan 2 hours, Geneva 3 hours). Car hire and airport transfers can be arranged. Alternatively, the drive from Calais through France and then through the Mont Blanc tunnel into the Aosta Valley takes approximately 10 hours.
What is the skiing like in Champoluc resort?
Ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers, the wider Monterosa ski area offers mainly red runs, as well as amazing off-piste and heliskiing opportunities. But Champoluc specifically is also the best choice in the region for beginner skiers, with easy-to-reach beginners’ slopes at Antagnod. Snowboarders will love the free-riding across all three valleys, and cross-country skiers are spoilt for choice too. There are also plenty of good mountain restaurants for lunch in the sunshine or a quick fuel stop.
Monterosa's high-altitude freeride paradise is easy to find - it's helpfully marked with a huge 'Freeride Paradise' label on the piste map. The Mandria forest area above the neighbouring village of Frachey is particularly good for skiing off the beaten track in bad weather.
Why is Champoluc good for family ski holidays?
Is Champoluc good for families? In short, yes. The area is becoming more popular with British skiers due to the range of skiing, but also the value for money on the slopes. The scenery is simply stunning and the pistes are long with many being tree-lined as well as great off-piste skiing and even heli-skiing available. As you would expect in Italy the mountain restaurants offer great food and places for lunch with prices much lower than in other ski areas of this size.
Its quiet, off-the-beaten track vibe and large amount of accessible terrain makes it great for both families and freeriders.
Champoluc is a pleasant unspoilt village with several craft shops, an ice rink, and good restaurants serving delicious Italian classics. Of all the villages in the Monterosa ski area, it’s the best place for après-ski cocktails and live music, although still relatively quiet compared to other Alpine resorts. Visitors can take in a bit of the area’s history in Champoluc’s satellite villages.
Families will also enjoy the off-slope family winter activities such as ice skating on the outdoor ice rink, tobogganing, snowshoe walks and the Monterosa Spa.
Ski Champoluc with family experts, Esprit
Esprit offer childcare and ski lessons across three age groups - 5-9 years, 6-11 and 7-12. Accommodation is at the family-run Hotel de Champoluc. With the Crest gondola just outside offering skiing to the doorstep, the village centre a 4-minute walk away and the ski hire shop just next door, the Hotel de Champoluc offers ultimate convenience for getting families on the slopes easily.
At the end of the day, a red piste will bring you back to the hotel. The piste is classified as a red but with its lovely long and cruisy stretches it can be happily skied by most skiers with a few weeks experience, skiing at a level above absolute beginners. There are blue runs leading to the mid-station so beginner skiers can then take the gondola down the last stretch.
For more information on Esprit's ski holidays in Champoluc, go to espritski.com
