Val d'Aosta (Winter)

Apart from traversing the valley in order to reach the Mont Blanc Tunnel and access to France, the big draw of this region in the winter is the unforgettable skiing at the resorts of Courmayeur and Breuil-Cervina. Of the two, Courmayeur is by far the more attractive town, but the latter has the dramatic setting beneath the almost vertical southern face of the Matterhorn, called Cervina by Italians. Skiers are lifted right out of the center of Breuil-Cervina to ski the Matterhorn in a 217-mile trail system that connects three resorts: Breuil-Cervinia, Valtournenche and Zermatt. Skiing over the international boundary between Italy and ...

Apart from traversing the valley in order to reach the Mont Blanc Tunnel and access to France, the big draw of this region in the winter is the unforgettable skiing at the resorts of Courmayeur and Breuil-Cervina. Of the two, Courmayeur is by far the more attractive town, but the latter has the dramatic setting beneath the almost vertical southern face of the Matterhorn, called Cervina by Italians. Skiers are lifted right out of the center of Breuil-Cervina to ski the Matterhorn in a 217-mile trail system that connects three resorts: Breuil-Cervinia, Valtournenche and Zermatt. Skiing over the international boundary between Italy and Switzerland is on the life-list of most avid skiers. Ski lifts reach an altitude of more than 11,000 feet at Piccolo Cervino. There are 23 lifts in Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche. Chic Courmayeur is a center for several different ski lift and trail systems. Even non-skiers will want to ride the Funivie Monte Bianco cable car up to the 12,000-foot-high ridge of Mont Blanc for views that stretch forever. If conditions permit, expert skiers head for the challenging off-piste terrain accessed by the Arp cable car. Although cross-country skiing is available at both resort areas, the most scenic terrain is near Courmayeur, at Val Ferret. Both resorts have a busy nightlife, especially on weekends at Courmayeur when the glitterati move in from Turin and Milan.

About the Expert

Barbara Radcliffe Rogers has written or coauthored more than 30 guidebooks, including The Portugal Traveler, Drive Around Portugal, City Spots Munich, City Spots Helsinki, City Spots Stockholm, Eating New England, and the Maine section of Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA.