Sport & nature
SKI & SNOWBOARD
ski lifts and ski resorts:
Skyway – Mont Blanc cable car
To RENT Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing equipment and Bob: Rental “Only Ski & Snowboard, La Thuile” (to which we have a special agreement for prices)
In summer, the skyway give its best, especially if you are looking for visiting the high mountain, but you are not an experienced mountaineer.
The view, off course, is stunning.
In a first step, you can reach the Pavillon and visitthe botanical garden.
Second step is the Punta Helbronner and Refuge Torino. At this stop, you can visit the Crystall Hall and admire, from la “terrasse des glaciers”, a fabolous scenery 360° on the surrounding mountains.
Only during summer, the itinerary will also allow you to reach the Aiguille du Midi (on French side) by crossing the suggestive Mer de Glace glaciers on little panoramic cable cars. From there, you can descend, always in funicolar, on Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France, which surely merit a vist.
In Chamonix, a part from shopping in a spectacular central road and lovely food, if you are still not tired, you can take the red pinion railways that will bring you to Montevers, at the feet of the Mer the Glace glaciers. And if you are traveling with kids, do not miss the Luges – roller coaster and the little fun park around them.
ALPIN SKIING & HELISKI, ICE CLIMBING & ROCK CLIMBING
The Giants of Europe undoubtedly offer spectacular free-ride routes, beautiful and untouched, both for cross-country skiing or heliskiing. The same counts for the countless steep walls that are to be climbed.
For more information, here are some suggestion about Alpine Guides:
NORDIC SKIING
La Thuile: in the sunny meadows of La Thuile, in the plain of Arly, there are winding tracks
Morgex: at Arpy, under the San Carlo Pass, in an impressive larch and fir forest
Courmayeur: in Val Ferret under the magnificent and imposing Grandes Jorasses mountain chain
SNOW SHOEING
The whole area of Valdigne offers several safe paths through the woods and mountains for walking or snowshoeing. All the Guides offer tailor-made, personalized walks of all levels, even at night and with possibility of tasting local specialties at the end of a marvellous walk.
If you do not have your snowshoes, you can rent them at the Rental “Only Ski & Snowboard, La Thuile”
ICE SKATING
In the “Courmayeur Forum Sport Center” in Dolonne, there is an skating icy rink during the whole year.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
The ski resorts of La Thuile during the summer are opened for the spectacular mountain bike rides. At the end of the path there is a Bike Park with instructors.
The Tour of refugees MTB is very impressive as well: it goes through the Valdigne – a journey of 120 km with a total climb of 4,200 m. It is divided into 3 stages:
1. Courmayeur – La Thuile – Rifugio Elisabetta
2. Rrefuge Elisabetta – through the Val Veny and Val Ferret – Refuge Elena
3. Refuge Elena – Courmayeur. The best times for this itinerary are July, August and September.
To rent a bike even the downhill and free-ride ones, you may contact: Rental ““Only Ski & Snowboard, La Thuile”” (with which we have a special agreement).
SWIMMING POOLS
Several hotels also have their pools open to the public, such as Planibel of La Thuile, placed under the ski resort.
POOLS AT HIGH ALTITUDE
In Courmayeur, at Chécrouit Plan, at the same point where during the winter depart the ski slopes, it is possible to take a swim in a warm large pool at 1,700 meters above sea level. The panorama is breathtaking, through the woods and a glimpse of Mont Blanc. All around then there are various services such as solarium, sauna, bars and restaurants.
In La Thuile, instead, at 2,080 meters above sea level, the refuge “La Clotze” located under the facilities and trails for mountain biking offers a small heated pool, solarium and traditional cuisine.
TREKKING
Of course, the High Aosta Valley offers countless options for trekking.
HIGH ALTITUDE TREKKING
The roof of Europe is the ideal placefor trekking at high altitude. An extensive network of international trails wind through our valleys and glaciers.
Additionally, the Valdigne is located at the extremes of the Alta Via n. 1 and Alta Via n. 2, spectacular trails that criss-cross the Aosta Valley.
On LOVEVDA web site you can find a lot of info about all the trails in Aosta Valley.
HIKING and DAILY WALKING
There are numerous paths ideal for daily walking and trekking, and of diverse lengths and difficulties. Here are just a few ideas:
LAKES and CASCADES
Arpy Lake and Lake Pietra Rossa, at the San Carlo Pass between Morgex and La Thuile
Lake Licony, between Morgex and Courmayeur
Miage lake, at Val Veny, Courmayeur
Rutor Cascade, La Thuile
REFUGEES
Ref Bertone, between Courmayeur and Val Ferret
Ref Bonatti , Val Ferret
Ref Elena, in the bottom of the Val Ferret ( Courmayeur)
Ref Elisabetta , Val Veny (Courmayeur )
Ref Vieille Maison, Col Chécrouit (Courmayeur)
Ref Deffeyes, at the foot of the glacier Ruitor (La Thuile)
Ref Turin, Colle del Gigante (Courmayeur), on the Grandes Jorasses mountain chain – reachable by cable car Punta Helbronner
HILLS and TRAILS
Colle Bassa Serra and Col Chavanne that lead up from La Thuile up to Val Veny, Courmayeur through the Valley of Chavanne.
Col des Orgères, which from the Centre of La Thuile (right in front of the apartment “La Belette”) passes along the old Roman road, then up a steep trail to the valley des Orgère, and finally gets to the top of the hill.
Col de l’Arp and Vallone of Youla , always departing from La Thuile center (right in front of the apartment “La Belette”). The valley is very nice even in the winter for those who love free -ride
Colle San Carlo, between Morgex and La Thuile
Colle Passo Alto, above the refuge Deffeys, La Thuile
MOUNTAINEERING
If then you are not satisfied enough with your walking experience, the Valdigne offers several funny VIA FERRATAS of different levels of difficulties.
See all trail maps on Love Vda web site or contact an Alpine Guide for more info.
SPORT CENTERS
Morgex: Sports centre with outdoor soccer fields and tennis courts, bare footing path, “path – health”, archery, horse riding and picnic area
Courmayeur: Courmayeur Forum Sport Centre (INDOOR), with ice skating, indoor climbing, gym, spa, tennis, squash, table tennis and football indoor
PICNIC AREA AND PLAYGROUND
In Morgex, you can find in the town, near the church, a big playground for your children. Another one in hamlet la Ruine in a nice pinewood equipped with a small picnic area.
From Morgex up to Colle San Carlo instead you can find 3 different picnic areas with barbecue, fountains with drinking water and public toilets.
In La Thuile, near the cable car mountain-bike trails, there is a nice picnic area in the wood, with equipped barbecue. During winter, here they setup a little playground with inflatable games.
In Pré-Saint-Didier wood, you can finde a “rope adventure park” with an incredible pulley across the “Orrido” canyon.
In Courmayeur there are few nice playground: one is right in the center at the top of the Bollino park. The other is in hamlet Verrand.
In addition, you can visit 2 little Fun Park (for children): one in hamlet Dolonne and the other in Val Ferret (hamlet Planpincieux). There is a fee, but your kids will surely enjoy them. Both are equipped with solarium and bar 😉
The one in Hamlet Dolonne is also opend during the winter season.
SPORT FISHING
Rich in glaciers and waterways, the Valdigne offers wonderful views for lovers of sport fishing.
In La Thuile you can purchase the permits at the Office of Tourism, in the town centre and you can fish in various streams, as well as in Lake Verney.
In Courmayeur, you can fish in the clear waters of the Val Ferret. Permits can be purchased at the restaurant Tronchey or at Lavachey.
If instead you want just to pick up a nice fresh trout for dinner, you can find private lakes for sport fishing in Morgex, on the opposite side of La Cave du Vin Blanc, on the national road no. 26 or even in Val Ferret, in hamlet Lavachey.
In winter, in one part of Dora Baltea you can also go and do “no kill” fishing.
For more info go to: http://www.pescavda.it/
RAFTING, KAYAKING and CANYONING
In the High Aosta Valley, the high peaks and their ice not only create attractive waterways and lakes for a relaxing fishing day. At one point, the current becomes stronger and the adrenaline goes up… To dive in between the sparkling waters of the Dora, rely on several rafting guides in Valdigne:
In Morgex, at Sport Campus
In Pré-Saint-Didier, close to Bar Lord Byron
HORSE RIDING
The lovers of nature and animals should not miss a walk through the woods and the peaks in the saddle of a horse.
In La Thuile, a nice group of guys may teach you the art of horse riding and itineraries will guide you to the wonderful itineraries, 100% immersed in nature. And if you are planning to do a romantic escape, why not, you might be interested to take a round in the carriage riding through the streets of mountain villages …
Even in Morgex, in the vicinity of the green area at the Sport Campus, from May to October, a small riding is available for those who would like to encounter this marvellous experience for the first time; the children may ride even ponies.
GOLF and MINI-GOLF
The Golf Club Courmayeur et Grandes Jorasses, in Val Ferret is definitely, for its location, one of the most spectacular in Europe.
In La Thuile, however, at the foot of mountain-bike/ski resorts, there is a small field of mini –golf and relax.