La Thuile combines an authentic old village with a modern ski resort with fabulous slopes.
It’s popular among the Brits, partly because of the friendly people and affordable prices but also thanks to the fantastic ski area with a direct link across the French border to La Rosière with 150km of slopes, served by 36 lifts, with one single ski pass.
The Roman ruins of ancient La Thuile and mining history are still visible in the old town over the river, and from the modern village, the slopes start at 1440 mt up to 2800 mt. There are uncrowded and north-facing pistes to ensure the snow remains in excellent conditions.
(c) VALLE D’AOSTA-Enrico Romanzi
There are some long easy slopes, perfect for children and beginners, so La Thuile is especially popular with families. For intermediate skiers there’s a large area with beautiful red slopes and the possibility to go to France on skis.
For very expert skiers, there’s also fabulous off-piste and heli-skiing available, as well as one of the most challenging downhill slopes of the World Cup in the Alps: slope number 3 Franco Berthod, the steepest in all of Italy.
There have been lots of improvements done over the summer to La Thuile’s international ski area, in anticipation of the 2023/24 season.
Among these, there are the improvements to the Arnouvaz chairlift and the leveling of the ground of slopes 12 and 14. Moreover, at the departure of the lifts there are 2 new LED screens with all the information about the ski area in real time.
Also, on the French side of the area, at the arrival of the Roches Noires and Du Fort chairlifts, there are three information screens: these panels allow customers to choose which slopes to ski on, based on openings, closures and weather conditions which are updated in real time.
In the near future, there are plans to modernise the sector between Les Suches and Chaz Dura. Two old triple chairlifts will be replaced by a new gondola by the end of 2025.
© VALLE D’AOSTA-Dario Mazzoli
The departure station of the new gondola will be built in continuity with the top station of the DMC cable car up from La Thuile: in this way it will be possible to reach the top of Mount Chaz Dura remaining inside, and the ascent will be carried out in closed cabins sheltered from any bad weather. The year-round access for non-skiers will be a big advantage for the resort, because everyone will be able to enjoy the Mont Blanc viewpoint and the huge crown of the Alps all around.
In addition to the ski slopes, La Thuile has a number of shops, a swimming pool, many spas, about 30 restaurants, bars and an “après ski” at the bottom of the ski lifts.
There is also a ski touring track from Les Suches to Colle del Belvedere (groomed and marked, completely safe), and for non-skiers there are many snowshoe trails around the village.
La Thuile
Main Image © Consorzio Operatori Turistici La Thuile
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