Champoluc

The location

Nestled into the Aosta Valley in northern Italy, this cosy little resort is a hidden gem of Italian skiing facilities. It’s around 110km from Turin Airport, but a bit further from Geneva Airport, at 215km.

The resort

The Monterosa area encompasses the quiet village of Champoluc. The laid-back ambience is complemented by the string of neat intermediate-level runs, so if you’d say you’re a fairly skilled skier, these runs will be right up your street.

Range of runs

Although the resort is especially well matched with intermediate-level red runs, there are also some extremely staggering off-piste zones to check out. Novices can enjoy some more leisurely slopes, while Champoluc’s chilled ambience is mirrored by its absence of black runs.

Authentic area

The largest base in the Three Valleys, Champoluc is great for snow grooming and soft slopes. The resort has retained its original charm which can be seen all over the village, and the runs themselves have a rather remote feel to them. Skiing is rarely so serene.

Traditional evenings

Typical Italian cabins and chalets open their doors to hungry skiers. The pubs and restaurants have a very old-fashioned, quiet ambience, so this isn’t one for wild après-ski. Enjoy hearty cuisine as the smell of wood smoke wafts around.

The highlights

• Free-riding terrain over in Monterosa is a top pick for snowboarders.
• The traditional village is just gorgeous and well worth exploring.
• You won’t be queuing for lifts for long – and they’ll whisk you up and down the mountain very speedily.