Mont Blanc's Italian Side, Seen from the Skyway
Courmayeur is a mountain town in the Aosta Valley of north-west Italy, at the foot of Mont Blanc, known for its skiing, its mountaineering heritage and its elegant, walkable centre. The Monte Bianco massif, the highest in the Alps, rises directly above the town, and the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car lifts visitors in rotating glass cabins to Punta Helbronner at about 3,466 metres, where terraces open onto glaciers and views across the French and Swiss Alps.
The resort has a long alpine pedigree, with guiding traditions that date back to the nineteenth century, and Via Roma, the pedestrianised main street, is lined with boutiques, bakeries, cafes and old stone buildings. Skiing here is varied: wooded runs on Plan Checrouit and Pre de Pascal, higher terrain towards Val Veny and Val Ferret, and off-piste routes beloved by experts. Sunny terraces and rifugi serve long lunches that make the days feel rewardingly unhurried.
Fontina, Val Veny and Alpine Summers
Mountain cooking is the heart of the experience. Fontina cheese melts into fonduta, polenta is served with game and cured meats, and the valley's wines, including Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle, one of the highest vineyards in Europe, add a local note. After skiing, bars along Via Roma and the rifugi on the slopes fill with spritz, hot chocolate and live music. Thermal pools at nearby Pre-Saint-Didier offer an easy contrast for tired legs after a day on the mountain.
In summer, Courmayeur turns to hiking, cycling and trail running. The Tour du Mont Blanc passes through, Val Veny and Val Ferret open onto glacier-fed streams and meadow paths, and the cable cars give access to alpine terrain for all abilities. The town links easily with Chamonix through the Mont Blanc tunnel, while Cervinia is another Aosta Valley resort a short drive away. A tourist board could showcase Courmayeur as a year-round, two-season alpine destination.
Read the full Courmayeur guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitCourmayeur.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.