Monaliza Tours: Courmayeur, Aosta Valley

Courmayeur, Aosta Valley Italy

Courmayeur is located at the 4,016-foot mark of Mont Blanc, nestled in a lush basin surrounded by firs, spruces, and larches, as well as mountain peaks, glaciers, and other beautiful and traditional towns along the Dora Baltea River, which runs through the entire Valle d'Aosta. The warm welcome from the locals and their attention to detail are evident in the numerous accommodations available—from luxury hotels to typical Alpine chalets, from historic cafes in the town center to mountain huts near the slopes. Courmayeur is also where the story of the ski-lift began: in 1908, the Donzelli, Gilberti, and Lora Totino families commissioned the first cable transport. This pioneering idea led to the creation of the Mont Blanc Society in 1939, which developed the funicular from La Palud to Punta Helbronner, making the mountains accessible to everyone, not just professional mountaineers. Today, with over 62 miles of ski runs, Courmayeur is a top destination for winter sports, not only in Italy but across Europe. Its alpine ski area attracts skiers from all over the world. For Nordic skiers, Val Ferret offers a perfect setting for fun-filled days, with slopes suitable for both experts and beginners. These trails run partly alongside a pedestrian path on the snow, allowing for pleasant nature walks just a few miles from the town center. Additionally, backcountry skiing is an option, with descents over the Toula Glacier and the Vallée Blanche, from where you can reach Chamonix on Mont Blanc's French side via the Mer de Glace Glacier. If you're in Courmayeur, don't miss the chance to cross Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak. With the Mont Blanc Funicular, visitors can ascend to over 6,562 feet in just a few minutes. This journey, starting in La Palud (at 4,347 feet) and reaching Le Pavillon (at 7,129 feet above sea level), offers breathtaking views of the glaciers and majestic peaks of the Alps. You can even visit an Alpine botanical garden and admire the stunning glaciers, Alpine peaks, and icicles of Mont Blanc. Moreover, Courmayeur is one of the historic capitals of Alpine mountaineering, a subject tourists can explore at the Museo Alpino Duca degli Abruzzi, located in the town center's Casa delle Guide. The museum features a collection of documents, heirlooms, and climbing equipment. Easily accessible year-round (from France and the rest of Europe via the Mont Blanc tunnel, and from other Italian regions via the highway connecting Turin to Mont Blanc), Courmayeur is an excellent vacation choice even in summer. Its year-round natural beauty and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it both cozy and intimate yet social at the same time!

Recommended airport

Geneve Cointrin (GVA)

Points of interest

Nearby destinations

Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, Italy

Courmayeur, Aosta Valley Italy