Known as Italy's best all-round ski resort, and boasting Europe's highest botanical garden, Courmayeur is a dream destination no matter when you visit. This small town and commune that was founded in 1850 is set at the foot of Mont Blanc's south side in the beautiful Aosta Valley, an autonomous region in northwestern Italy.
To get to Courmayeur you first need to travel either to Geneva, Turin or Milan. From any of these spots you can then arrange an airport transfer, rent a car, or if you go via Turin or Milan, take either a bus or otherwise a train to Aosta and a bus from there. The distance from Geneva to Courmayeur is 99 kms, from Turin it's 151 kms and from Milan, 214 kms.
Once you get to Courmayeur, you will not only find yourself in a stunning spot, but you will also have access to this town's very complete facilities. These include top of the line accommodation options and restaurants, great nightlife venues, spas, a great cable car that opens till midnight and a charming pedestrian street with great shopping options and lovely little cobblestone alleys to the sides.
Courmayeur
Of course, the main reason you will want to go to Courmayeur in the winter months is the great variety of ski touring options in the area. Get ready for some thrilling tree runs, pillows lines, chutes and cliffs, and off-piste skiing. If you are new to ski touring, then this 5-day course in the Aosta Valley can put you up to speed!
Read on to get a taste of the best ski touring spots you can find in the area. Also, you can take a look at all the great guided tours in Courmayeur listed at Explore-Share. A good guide can show you the top spots in the backcountry, and also ensure your safety, which is never a minor thing in the Alps.
Mont Blanc
Courmayeur
The world famous Mont Blanc is definitely the highlight of the Alps. At 4,808.7 m, it is the highest peak of the range, and a dream come true for ski touring. With all the skiing options that this mountain offers, choosing a good guide to show you its top spots is a must. Although you will find alternatives for different levels, previous skiing experience and a good fitness level are necessary to tackle this stunner where you will not only enjoy the best runs but also revel at the breathtaking scenery.
If you would like a tailored private tour adapted to your skill level and preferences then these Mont Blanc private ski tours are perfect for you.
Another option is to both explore this stunning mountain and improve your skills, this 5-day Mont Blanc off piste skiing course is perfect for just that.
To reach more remote spots, try this heliski-day Courmayeur Mont Blanc adventure, or this Mont Blanc secret places 6-day tour for advanced skiers!
Monte Rosa
Courmayeur
At 4,634 m, Monte Rosa is the second highest mountain in the Alps. It has 6 summits, the most famous being the Dufourspitze followed by Dunantspitze, Grenzgipfel, Nordend, Zumsteinspitze and Signalkuppe. As it is covered in ice, this peak is also famous for its breathtaking glaciers. Furthermore, it is known as a place of great geological interest.
This Monte Rosa 7-day skiing tour will take you to the Signalkuppe summit and some other stunning spots in the Alps!
Grand Paradiso
Courmayeur
Grand Paradiso is a stunning peak in the beautiful Grand Paradiso National Park set in the Aosta Valley and the Piedmont region in Italy. This breathtaking mountain has an altitude of 4,061 m and is considered to be one of the least difficult peaks in that altitude range, which doesn't mean it's easy! Choose a good guide and you will get the best out of this paradisiacal ski haven.
Find out where Gran Paradiso ranks on our list of the top 5 high altitude peaks for ski mountaineering!
This 5-day Haute Route Grand Paradiso ski tour will take you from Courmayeur to the summit of this beautiful peak!
Vallee Blanche
Courmayeur
Vallee Blanche is one of the most famous off-piste descents in the world. It is a 20km long ski route with a 2700m vertical descent and spans from Aiguille du Midi to Chamonix, a French commune on the north side of Mont Blanc. This stunning spot in the Alps is well known for its breathtaking views. Although it is a great alternative for intermediate skiers, there are also more challenging options for those who are more advanced. It is always best to go with a guide as there are, as with any ski opportunity in the Alps, avalanche risks and tricky glaciated spots.
This 1-day Vallee Blanche ski tour offers you the chance to explore this stunning area in the company of a certified guide who can adapt the itinerary to suit your needs.
Otherwise, this Vallee Blanche guided free ride skiing weekend is ideal for those with a little more experience!
Other nearby towns in The Alps
Courmayeur
One of the great things about The Alps is the combination of cultures as you explore the mountains on their different faces. On the southwest of Mont Blanc you will find Martigny, in Switzerland. On the north side of Mont Blanc, you can find the charming French Chamonix. In the Aosta Valley, Valgrisenche and La Thuille are two other charming towns near Courmayeur.
There are different options to explore all these different areas. On this ski touring and freeride trip in Chamonix, which also offers a free-ride initiation in Courmayeur, you can choose to discover different spots in the area and adapt the itinerary to your level.
Another great way to get a taste of the region's variety of mountains and cultures is to take a heliski or heliboarding tour. This Swiss/Italian Alps heliskiing/heliboarding trip is a great alternative!
What is the best time to go ski touring in Courmayeur?
Courmayeur
Courmayeur is a great spot to visit year round. However, you will need to go in the winter, from mid December to mid April to go ski touring. The average temperature in January is between -11 °C (12 °F). Also, the snowline in the Aosta Valley starts at around 3000m, which is slightly higher than in the northern side of the Alps.
Ski touring prices
The average price for 1 day of ski touring in Courmayeur is €350. Predictably, this price will depend on the itinerary, duration and services included. Heliskiing is of course much more expensive than a regular ski tour, and a private tour will generally cost more than a group tour, depending on how many people join in. Another aspect to watch for in the price is whether the tour includes accommodation, food and beverage, transport to and from the start of the excursion, and equipment.
Start looking for ski touring trips in Courmayeur with one of our guides now!
Other winter activities in Courmayeur
Courmayeur
Ski touring is not the only thing that you can do in Courmayeur. There are plenty of winter activities including snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledging, snow kiting, glacier hiking, ice climbing in the Aosta Valley and winter mountaineering in the Aosta Valley! Don't miss the chance to try out something new while in the area! In case you're thinking of a winter getaway in the December holiday, make sure to take a look at our blog post on the best mountain huts to welcome the New Year in the Alps! ***
The Alps are a dream of many a mountaineer and skier. Courmayeur is one of the most beautiful spots from which to enjoy it and set out on an unforgettable ski touring adventure!
