Courmayeur Ski Holidays

Courmayeur is an Alpine resort in northwest Italy, at the foot of Mont Blanc. It’s known for the SkyWay Monte Bianco cable car, offering views of peaks like the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. The centre of the village is car free with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars and a fabulous après ski scene. The resorts altitude is at 1225m with a 100km of pistes.

A mountain of two halves. Above Plan Chécrouit are sunny slopes that are mostly wide and open, on the back of the hill in Val Veny are shady slopes, almost all in trees. Both flanks of the hill are quite steep, with blues taking roundabout routes to avoid the fall line. Take care on the red Bertolini in icy conditions. The longest run-in resort is 7.4km with a vertical drop of 1400m from Cresta Youla.

Beginners

Courmayeur, on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, is a beautiful ski resort with a classic alpine feel—cobblestoned town, good food, and stunning scenery. For beginners, though, it’s a little different compared to purpose-built resorts. Here’s what to expect as a first-timer:

1. Beginner Areas

The main beginner slopes are located at Plan Checrouit, which you reach via the gondola from Courmayeur town. There are gentle nursery slopes, magic carpets, and short chairlifts that are well-suited for learning.
The Campo Scuola area is popular for first lessons—it’s wide, open, and not intimidating.
There aren’t as many long green runs as you’d find in France or Austria, so beginners usually progress on the easier blue runs around Plan Checrouit.

2. Ski Schools

Courmayeur has several well-regarded ski schools, with English-speaking instructors.
Group lessons are available, but many beginners opt for private lessons to get more focused coaching.

3. Progression Slopes

After mastering the nursery slopes, beginners usually move onto short blues like those served by the Pra Neyron or Aretù lifts.
Runs can feel a little steeper than in more beginner-oriented resorts, but the wide pistes help build confidence.

4. Atmosphere for Beginners

Courmayeur is stylish and very Italian, so the après-ski and food are top-notch. Long lunches on the mountain are part of the culture, which gives beginners plenty of time to rest.
The resort isn’t massive, but the scenery of Mont Blanc is spectacular and can be motivating for learners.

5. Things to Keep in Mind

Courmayeur is better suited to confident beginners or intermediates than total first-timers, because the overall piste map leans more towards red runs.

That said, with good instruction and some patience, complete beginners can have a great experience here, especially if they enjoy the social and culinary side of skiing as much as the slopes..

Intermediates

Wide, undulating blue slopes around Checrouit. Great for warming up, practicing technique, getting comfortable with speed and rhythm.

More challenging red runs when you feel confident — sometimes gentler reds, sometimes ones that demand sturdier edge work. Val Veny side has particularly appealing red terrain.

Long descents: for instance, the run from Cresta Youla down to Dolonne offers about 1,400 meters of vertical. That’s a very satisfying run for an intermediate skier who wants to test stamina and technique over distance.

Tree runs: some runs wind through trees especially on the Val Veny side. These can offer shelter from wind, change the light, and give variety.

Open high-altitude terrain, above the treeline, where snow conditions tend to be better, less shadowed, good for those higher reds.

Advanced

Courmayeur, nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc in Italy's Aosta Valley, offers a compelling destination for advanced skiers seeking both challenging pistes and renowned off-piste terrain.

🎿 Advanced and Expert Pistes

The resort features a selection of black and red runs, particularly concentrated in the Val Veny sector. Notably, the Cresta d'Arp offers a steep gradient of up to 70%, delivering an exhilarating descent with panoramic views of Mont Blanc. These runs are often mogulled, catering to skiers who relish technical challenges.

With 52% of the resort's 41.5 km of pistes designated as advanced and 15% as expert, Courmayeur provides ample opportunities for those seeking to push their limits.

🏔️ Off-Piste and Freeride Terrain

Courmayeur is celebrated for its extensive off-piste offerings, attracting seasoned freeriders. The Vallon de l’ Arp presents a thrilling 1,000m vertical descent, while the Toula Glacier offers high-altitude runs with breathtaking views. For the truly adventurous, the itinerary from Cresta d'Arp to Dolonne village combines steep chutes and open fields, providing a comprehensive off-piste experience.

Access to these terrains is facilitated by the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car, which transports skiers to the Pointe Helbronner at 3,466 meters. From here, routes such as the Brenva Glacier become accessible, though these are recommended only for expert skiers with appropriate experience and equipment.

Much more than just skiing!

Courmayeur ’s traditional, quaint cobbled streets are incredibly picturesque in the snow. There are a good range of shops, cosy bars and restaurants where there is a great atmosphere of an evening.

Ski Chamonix from Courmayeur

With the Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass, you can ski Chamonix which can be reached via a regular bus that runs from Courmayeur.

Ski Schools

Courmayeur offers a range of ski schools catering to all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. With over 300 qualified instructors, the resort provides diverse options for both group and private lessons, ensuring a personalized learning experience.

🎿 Notable Ski Schools in Courmayeur

1. Scuola di Sci Monte Bianco

Overview: A family-oriented school offering group and private lessons for all ages and skill levels.
Special Features: Tailored programs for children and adults, with a focus on creating a fun and safe learning environment.
Contact: Courmayeur: +39 0165 842477 | Plan Checrouit: +39 0165 842374 | Val Veny: +39 0165 869074

Ski Hire

Courmayeur, nestled in Italy's Aosta Valley beneath Mont Blanc, offers a variety of ski hire options to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Here's an overview of some notable rental shops in the area:

🏔️ Ski Rental Shops in Courmayeur

1. 4810 Rental

Location: Conveniently situated in the town center.
Services: Offers top-tier equipment from leading brands.
Technology: Utilizes a Wintersteiger robot for precise ski tuning.
Booking: Online reservations available with up to a 10% discount.
Extras: Provides free ski and boot storage.

2. Ski In Courmayeur

Locations: Two strategic spots—one in the town center and another at Plan Chécrouit ski area.
Flexibility: Allows equipment pick-up or exchange at either location.
Additional Rentals: Also offers e-bike rentals for year-round mountain exploration.

3. Alpineve

Location: Located directly at Plan Chécrouit, ideal for immediate slope access.
Reputation: Known for professional-grade equipment and efficient service.

Ski Bus

🚌 Winterbus: Free Shuttle Between Resorts

The Winterbus is a free shuttle service that operates between Courmayeur and La Thuile, providing skiers with convenient access to both ski areas. This service runs daily from Christmas through the end of the ski season, facilitating seamless travel between the two resorts.

🚍 SAVDA Ski Bus: Courmayeur to La Thuile

The SAVDA Ski Bus is a public transportation option that connects Courmayeur and La Thuile. The fare is €2.80 per trip, and the service operates daily from Christmas through the end of the ski season. This bus is ideal for skiers looking for an affordable and reliable way to travel between the two resorts.

🏨 Hotel Shuttles and Local Circuits

Many hotels in Courmayeur offer their own shuttle services to key locations:

Circular Line: Operates a loop from Courmayeur to Entrèves, passing by the Skyway Monte Bianco station. This is particularly convenient for guests staying in the area.
Green Line: Connects Verrand with Planpincieux in the Val Ferret, stopping at various points including some hotels. This service is beneficial for accessing the Val Ferret area.

These hotel-run shuttles are typically complimentary for guests and provide easy access to ski lifts and other attractions.

🏔️ Skyway Monte Bianco Access

The Skyway Monte Bianco is a cable car that links Courmayeur's Entrèves area to Pointe Helbronner on Mont Blanc. While not a traditional ski bus, it's a key transportation option for accessing high-altitude skiing and panoramic views. Local buses and hotel shuttles often connect to the Skyway station, facilitating easy access for skiers.

🚍 Regional Bus Connections

For broader travel, the SAVDA bus company operates regional lines connecting Courmayeur to various towns in the Aosta Valley, including Morgex, La Salle, Pré-Saint-Didier, and Aosta. These services are useful for those looking to explore the region beyond the ski resorts

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Courmayeur

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🎿 Advanced and Expert Pistes

🏔️ Off-Piste and Freeride Terrain

🎿 Notable Ski Schools in Courmayeur

1. Scuola di Sci Monte Bianco

🏔️ Ski Rental Shops in Courmayeur

1. 4810 Rental

2. Ski In Courmayeur

3. Alpineve

🚌 Winterbus: Free Shuttle Between Resorts

🚍 SAVDA Ski Bus: Courmayeur to La Thuile

🏨 Hotel Shuttles and Local Circuits

🏔️ Skyway Monte Bianco Access

🚍 Regional Bus Connections

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