Without a doubt, the most popular resort in the little-known Monterosa ski area in Italy, Champoluc is a haven for those who are looking to take their skiing and snowboarding off the beaten path.
Three extensive ski areas are covered with one lift pass- Champoluc and its neighbouring ‘satellite’ villages of Gressoney and Alagna are all easy to access with swift, modern chair lifts and cable cars. From one end to the other (Champoluc-Alagna) the resort stretches about 10 miles and the whole area is filled with rustic Italian charm.
One of the main delights about Champoluc and the Monterosa ski area/Aosta Valley is that during that week it is relatively uncrowded so you can ski and snowboard on freshly groomed pistes in the morning that don’t become carved up by heavy traffic throughout the day. At the weekend, it is a popular destination with the Italian locals who travel up from Milan and Turin, and the whole resort comes to life with après culture.
Champoluc and the Monterosa ski area are possibly best known as being a hotspot for off-piste skiing and snowboarding, and is especially suited for the more advanced skier or snowboarder. There are some easily accessible resources for beginner skiers, including a few easy runs dotted about the village, but a vast majority of the resort is made up of more intermediate and advanced red and blue runs.
Off-mountain, the village is unmistakably Italian with some delicious restaurants and wine bars dotted throughout the cluster of buildings along the long high street. While shopping is limited beyond a choice of stores that sell sporting goods, there are plenty of exciting excursions available in the village for those who want to combine their skiing with a little something else.
