Courmayeur ski resort (altitude 1224 meters) is one of the best resorts in Italy. Located right below Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, Courmayeur ski resort offers a wide range of services and possibilities for good skiing and afterski. On the other side of Mont Blanc is Chamonix, the Mecca of alpinism.

Courmayeur ski resort is a combination of awesome landscapes, good skiing and tasty Italian food. In Courmayeur you can enjoy the best Italian wine and pasta, but also tons of powder snow and sunshine.

Skiing in Courmayeur

Courmayeur has 100 kilometers of slopes, out of which there are four black slopes, 15 red and six green slopes. The rest are blue slopes. Longest run is 7,3 kilometers, while the biggest vertical difference is 1335 meters. 18 lifts of Courmayeur carry skiers ad snowboarders to the slopes, and the highest ski lift station is located in 2624 meters of altitude.

The main skiing area is at Plan Checrouit and, with over 80% of the skiable terrain covered by snow cannons, snow here is virtually guaranteed. You can get to Plan Checrouit by a cabin lift directly from the center of Courmayeur. Other skiing areas in Courmayeur ski resort are a bit more challenging Lago Chécrouit, nice and easy Cresta Youla, modern La Thuile, and Cresta d’Arp and Punta Helbronner that provide access to the best off-piste runs in Courmayeur.

Courmayeur ski resort is much like Chamonix on the other side of Mont Blanc (in Italian side they call the mountain Monte Bianco), but much less crowded. If you get frustrated with crowded Chamonix, just drivee through the tunnel of Mont Blanc and ski Courmayeur. We have noticed that sometimes when there is a bad weather in Chamonix, the sun is shining in Courmayeur, so it is really worth of checking. Also the rush in Chamonix during a powder day is sometimes unbelievable and most of the new snow is skied in two hours. If you want to ski more powder hit the road and drive to Courmayeur where you can ski powder all day long, and maybe even the day after.

Courmayeur dining, afterski and shopping

There are 2971 inhabitants in the Courmayeur ski resort town. Although the town itself is pretty small, there are plenty of choices when it comes to dining, afterski and shopping. 93 restaurants, 20 on-piste restaurants and 48 bars and discos make sure you get what you need.

Take a walk in the car-free center of Courmayeur and enjoy the diversity of window-shopping. There are a number of good shops and boutiques offering quality clothing, jewellery and souvenir.

Enjoy a beer or a glass of wine while looking at the magnificient peaks of the high mountains of Mont Blanc massif. Afterski in Courmayeur ski resort is lively, but not rowdy. If you are looking for great skiing with a nice atmosphere, Courmayeur might be a good choice.

Other activities in Courmayeur ski resort

In addition to skiing there are many other things you can do in Courmayeur. For example there is a weekly market where you can buy things made by the locals. You can also take a bus and drive to Chamonix or other ski resorts or towns in Aosta valley. In Courmayeur you can go ice skating, curling, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoe walking, or you can just enjoy the fitness centre.

Downsides of Courmayeur?

There is no perfect ski resort and Courmayur is no exception. What are thethe downsides? For experienced skiers Courmayeur does not provide too much challenges, and also there is a lack of very easy slopes for beginners and first time skiers. Courmayeur is a relatively small ski resort with short runs, so if you are looking for big something then consider resorts like Les Trois Vallee in France. Slopes in Courmayeur are pretty crowded on Sundays, but not as much as in Chamonix. There is also a tiresome walk and cable-car ride between Courmayeur village and the slopes.

Pictures: dirkgroeger, tmesis