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.
| Skiing levels |
| Beginner |
|
| Intermediates |
|
| Advanced |
|
| Snowboard |
|
| Cross country |
|
| Mountain facts |
| Ski area |
180 km
|
| Runs |
28
54
13
|
| Longest run |
9 Km
|
| Snowparks |
|
| Lifts |
Drag lifts 5, Chairlifts 16, Cablecars 3
|
| Slope direction |
NE,E,SE,SW,NW
|
| Ski/resort bus |
True
|
Things to do in resort
Food & Drink
Champoluc offers some fabulous authentic Italian restaurants serving classic and contemporary food. One of the great things about the Monterosa ski area is that the lovely food isn’t restricted to the town of Champoluc; the mountain restaurants are also delicious and serve unique a la carte menus. You’ll find bars with live music, delicious wines and cocktails, but the atmosphere remains a lot calmer and more relaxed than other alpine resorts.
Shopping
Champoluc offers the usual sporting goods stores, a few souvenir shops and one supermarket in the small village. Please note: there is no weekly market. If you are interested in a shopping trip, then a day excursion to the nearby cities of Milan and Turin, or even the nearby town of Aosta is bound to be more successful. Popular souvenirs to take back home include hand-carved wooden clogs!
Spa & Relaxation
The MonterosaSPA is the perfect place to relax after a day on the slopes. There are a range of different pools, steam rooms and saunas to enjoy as well as various treatments and massages available. To visit the spa, you need to book in advance - this is best to organise by asking the staff in your hotel. To get there walk up through the centre of town, past the main ski lift heading up towards Frachey and you will find it situated on the left next to the pharmacy.
Location in resort
- Longitude: 7.726568
- Latitude: 45.832511
- Nearest Lift:
Crest
- Distance to Lift: 500
- Distance to Ski School: 500
- Distance to Nursery Slopes: 500
For more information on travel and transport visit our Champoluc page
