Courmayeur

Courmayeur skiing

Courmayeur, Italian neighbour to big boy Chamonix, has 100km of its own pistes, most of which cater mainly for intermediates. Advanced skiers need not panic however, as Courmayeur offers access to the all of the other resorts in the Aosta and Chamonix valleys (via the Mont Blanc Tunnel), which have a combined total of near 800km of runs. Cross-country skiers will also find 51km of excellent trails.

Courmayeur ski resort

With its views of Mont Blanc, the scenery in Courmayeur is majestic. A traditional alpine village with a car-free centre, Coumayeur has plenty of good shops, cafés and bars, where the après-ski is very much Italian in spirit. Restaurants, both on and off the mountain are top class and not overpriced. The only downside is the walk from some of the accommodation to the lifts. Courmayeur can also get swamped by the Milanese at weekends and peak season times. It's a great venue, only occasionally marred by the closure of the tunnel.