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The Courmayeur ski domain is broadly divided into two areas: the Checrouit area by Courmayeur and Dolonne and Val Veny towards Entrèves. The pisted terrain offers wide rolling runs and tree-lined pistes and although there are no slopes running down to Courmayeur, you can ski to Dolonne. The pisted area is made up of 26 runs giving 100km of slopes largely aimed at intermediates and served by a (mostly) modern lift system of chairs and gondolas. Whilst not an extensive ski area by any means, it’s well-kept with 252 snow cannons covering 80% of the slopes ensuring a snow-sure set of varied runs.
A real added bonus is that much of the off-piste can be accessed by the lift system and the resort also actively promotes heli-skiing. The Alpine Guides Society of Courmayeur offers a long list of guided tours in Courmayeur and in the surrounding areas. Off-piste fans also benefit from another cable car in Entrèves, the Funivie de Monte Bianco, delivering skiers to Mont Blanc for some fantastic off-piste.
Beginners:
Tzaly 10 at the top of Maison Vieille chairlift is an ideal place to spend your day learning - stop for that much needed drink at the conveniently situated Maison Vieille. On the Val Veny side, beginners can circuit the Prato drag lift or for longer slopes, practise on Val Veny 2 or Chetif 3, using the Peindeint and Zerotta chairs.
Intermediates:
Early intermediates shouldn’t be scared off by the red runs as many of them are wide and rolling confidence-boosters. Hone your skills on Checrouit 13 by circuiting the Checrouit gondola. The runs below the Betollini chair are also good confidence building reds and blacks.
Advanced:
Diretta 8 which deviates off Pra Neyron 6 or Des Eves 23 which runs off the Aretù 14 pistes – both of these ending up in Zerotta. Alternatively, hire a guide to take you down the 20km of the Vallée Blanche from Punta Helbronner.
Boarders:
Courmayeur feels very much like a skier’s resort with boarders definitely in the minority. That said, there aren’t many ‘walking’ pistes and the drag lifts are few. And although the resort lacks a dedicated snowpark, boarders will find plenty of jibbing opportunities off the sides of the slopes or they can head to the boarder-cross area when it is open. Freeriders have lots more to keep them occupied, as not only are there vast backcountry runs on the side of Mont Blanc and surrounding areas but heli-skiing is also encouraged.
