What to do in the Aosta Valley, Italian Alps

Ski lifts 5 mins from chalet
Half kilometre from local restaurants
5 minutes from vibrant night life
Adjacent to the historical town of Aosta
A stones throw away to hypermarket
CHOOSE FROM AN ABUNDANCE OF SPORTS, SEE TO DO LIST
In Pre Saint Didier there is an ancient spa
SKI IN MORE THAN ONE RESORT for a great variety of skiing. PILA-5 mins, LA THUILE-30 mins, COURMAYEUR-20 mins, CERVINIA-50 mins away. ALL ON THE SAME SKI PASS!!! There are other smaller ski resorts you can visit on the same ski pass. NO EXTRA COST
DOG SLEDDING
AN ABUNDANCE OF RUNS OF VARIOUS DIFFICULTIES-OFF PISTE AND TREE SKIING
The valley is steeped in history and lined with castles, historical buildings and churches surrounded by vineyards and fromageries in every direction
HELI-SKIING CAN BE ARRANGED
DINE AT ALTITUDE IN THE EVENING AND BE BROUGHT DOWN BY CAT
ICE CLIMBING, VIA FERATA, OFF PISTE WITH LOCAL ENGLISH SPEAKING MOUNTAINEER

THIS AREA HAS THE HIGHEST MOUNTAINS IN EUROPE
LEGAL HELI SKIING IN THE AOSTA VALLEY
THE BEST GROOMED SLOPES in Europe
(some ungroomed ones too!! Woo hoo!!)
A SNOWPARK WITH EVER CHANGING JUMPS AND COURSES throughout the season
LOADS OF ON PISTE RESTAURANTS WITH SCRUMMY ITALIAN FOOD
THE CHEAPEST ON PISTE PRICES 'you won't pay over the top'

STAY ON PISTE AFTER HOURS, HAVE A MEAL AND GET A SKIDOO DOWN TO THE BOTTOM STATION - GREAT FUN!!

For 'little ones' there is either a brilliant nursery which your child will have great fun at or a kids club for the slightly older children.

If you aren't a skier there is plenty to do and see. You can choose from a variety of sports and pastimes. The valley is steeped in history & lined with castles, historical buildings and churches surrounded by vineyards and fromageries in every direction. The stone houses and buildings create quaint & interesting little villages & nearby there is a spa, swimming pool, skating rink & many other sports facilites

GOLF

9 hole 64 PAR at 2100 metres

BIKE PARK

3 sessions - one session in 4cross and the other two in North Shore style

CROSS COUNTRY BIKE RIDING

12 itineries of 185 km at between 600 and 2300 metres altitude

http://www.pila.it

ADVENTURE PARK

assault course through the trees with an arial runway, for all the family

http://www.pila.it

SCRAMBLING

Scrambling for 11 kilometres at an altitude of 1700 metres

http://www.pila.it

BIKE STADIUM

A paradise for bikers - 4 permanent downhill runs of freeride with 3 variants

http://www.pila.it

MARMOTTE CENTRE

A natural route of discovery with a guide

http://www.pila.it

HORSE RIDING

Lessons and courses about horse-riding for those wishing to learn, guided excursions into the woods of the Pila Valley for skilled horse-riders - yet another new sporting activity to discover and practise during your holiday. Val d'Aosta Equestrian Sports Centre, Corso Lancieri 4, 0165 551580 0165 551580

http://www.pila.it

FISHING

A new opportunity in Pila for the passionate of the fishing: the fish of the trout to the Chamol? lake (2325m).

http://www.pila.it

NORDIC WALKING

Nordic Walking is A relatively new sporting discipline, both engaging and relaxing for walkers. With three levels of participation: general exercise, fitness and sport, everyone will find the level that suits their physical condition; be that a tranquil and therapeutic walk to maybe a more robust exercise for those athletic types.

http://www.pila.it

PARAGLIDING

At the scuola di Volo

http://www.pila.it

EATING AT ALTITUDE IN THE EVENING

Sprinkled on the edge of the ski slopes, the lovely typical restaurants are one of the most original elements at Pila. Even though they are immersed in the woods or gracing a snow-covered pasture, these locales are noted for their refined menus and the typical setting, which makes ample use of stone and wood along with the presence of rich traditional objects. These locales are also open in the evening and organize transportation to the higher altitudes with motorized snow sleds

BOB SLEIGHING AND SLEDGING

The last ski-lift left in Pila, the Baby Pila has retired' and has been replaced by a conveyer belt made in two sections. It will serve both the downhill piste and an area for bobsleighing and sledging. Going up and down has never been so pleasant and such fun.

http://www.pila.it

DOG SLEDDING

Since 1996 the Grandes Jorasses Adventures s.r.l. has been organising exciting group tours and families and spectacular events involving sled dog sport. During our "Introduction to sled dogging", participants have a unique chance to learn how to drive their own team of sled dogs, an experience that many had previously only read about in the famous book by Zanna Bianca.

http://www.dogsledman.com

VALLEY TOURS

Valley tours can be arranged with a professional guide. However during the summer we often visit the Grand St Bernado Pass where the St Bernard dogs are bred and there is an interesting museum and some beautiful scenery. The Valley is steeped in history and we can organise trips to any places you may want to go such as castles, vineyards and walks.

NIGHTCLUBS

There are several bars and discoteques in Aosta where we can drop you off - some just a couple of minutes away

AYMAVILLES RAFTING REPUBLIC

The incredible alpine white water rafting experience is the pinnacle of an adventure trip. Also hydrospeed to give a different thrill and fun. Qualified Instructors that speak English at your disposal. And whilst waiting before or after there is a bar at the base to refresh yourself or try the adventure park through the trees on zip wires!! DISCOUNT FOR THOSE STAYING WITH US!!

http://www.raftingrepublic.com

DORA BALTHEA WHITE WATER RAFT

The Dora Balthea river runs the whole length of the valley and is one of the classic white-water runs. There is a school at Sarre, two km from Aosta - about 20 minutes from the house.

THERMAL SPA

Aosta has been known for its natural hot springs since Roman times. The Spa and wellness centre at Pre St Didier was built in 1834 and is internationally renowned: the view of Mont Blanc form the open-air pool being a particular highlight

http://www.termedipre.com

MUSEUM OF AOSTA

This is not to be confused with the typical museum of a small city. With part of the museum underground, you can see remains of one of the four gateways into the Roman city

http://www.lovevda.it

SWIMMING POOL

There is a brand-new swimming pool (actually two swimming pools in a double-deck arrangement) a couple of kilometres below Gignod in the direction of Aosta. The complex includes a fitness area, a sauna and a number of beauty treatments. The building itself is spectacular, as the roof is in the shape of a wave

http://www.regione.vda.it/turismo

CASTLES VISITS

The landscape is furrow, rugged and undulating and many of the hills in the Valley are crowned with castles that were constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries. They feature tall towers, each visible to another, so that the series of castles represented an efficient lookout and signaling system that stretched several hundred of miles from Torino to Martigny, in France. Castello Issonge, one of the valley's breathtaking historic castles. Castles of Fenis and Verres plus many more

http://www.naturaosta.it

GRAND PARADISO PARC AND NATURAL RESERVE

Gran Paradiso National Park was the first national park established in Italy. It includes a large territory of high mountains, from the 800 meters of the bottom of the valleys to the 4,061 meters of the Gran Paradiso peak, this is just one of the many parks in the area

http://www.parks.it/regione.valledaosta/Eindex.html

BOTANICAL GARDENS

There are four Alpine botanical gardens in Valle d'Aosta, evidence of the awareness and input given by the Autonomous Regional Council of Valle d'Aosta to preserving the natural heritage and, in particular, in protecting the floristic heritage.

http://www.regione.vda.it/turismo/territorio/patrimonio_naturale/giardini_botanici/default_e.asp.Botanic%20Gardens

WINE TASTING

The physical layout of the valley favors the cultivation of vines because the mountains tend to block or turn aside the coldest winds, thereby creating suitable microclimates in which grapes have flourished since the remotest times, creating a microclimates where the Valle d'Aosta wine can be produced even at high altitudes. There are many vineyards where you can have a tour and taste the wine.

http://www.aaanetserv.com/turismo/valledaosta/wine_morgeaux.html

AOSTA CITY HISTORICAL VISIT

The chalet is just outside the very historical city of Aosta which is steeped in history and boasts an amphitheatre, the oldest tree, churches and the old city walls. A small city, Aosta has not suffered the terrible devastations that have been inflicted elsewhere by passing armies, or by the earthquakes that have shaken other parts of Italy. There is a spacious, and timeless alpine feeling throughout the city, particularly in and around its principal piazza, the Piazza Chanoux.

http://www.italianvisits.com/valledaosta/aosta/index.htm

BOWLING

Bowling locally at Piazza Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto, 17, 11100 Aosta 0165 366451 and Corso Lancieri d'Aosta, 13, Aosta 0165 548477

SUMMER SKIING

On the glacier at Cervinia July to September

http://www.cervinia.it

BARS

list of bars in Aosta

http://www.eventiesagre.it/elenco_bar/Aosta/index_bar.html

FROMAGERIE

There are many fromageries in the valley where you can go and buy cheeses and see how they are made, most famous is the Fontina Cheese. The Milk Center, Centrale Laiti're Valley d'Aoste Srl, is a modern dairy and cheese-making business that gathers, processes, and commercialises the milk and its derivatives. The facility is located in Gressan, in the heart of the Valle d'Aosta, a region of great cheese-making traditions, mountains rich in ice, the purest water and pristine meadows.

http://www.centralelatte.vda.it/en/index.cfm/business.html

USEFUL LINKS ON DIRECTIONS PAGE

Links for ski hire, bars, restaurants and transport on bottom of DIRECTIONS page

DOG KENNEL, MUSEUM AND HOSPICE

Visit the famous St Bernard Dog Kennels. See the latest litter of puppies and all the breeding dogs and their puppies. Visit the museum which tells you of their story and gives information about the local area. See the hospice, the church and the artifacts and treasures. Definitely a must for dog lovers and families!

http://www.aisb.it

MOUNTAINEERING GUIDE AVAILABLE

English speaking mountaineer available for Rock climbing -Mountainering (for example: Grand Paradis, Tour Ronde, Breithorn, Monte Rosa ... typical summits from vda) -Paragliding (tandem for everyone) rock climbing, ice climbing, off piste in winter please enquire

PARAGLIDING

CLIMBING/SKI GUIDE with Hugues

I am a French mountain guide-I have settled down near Aosta-this city is in the middle of all the big mountain ranges of the Alps-Mont Blanc-Gran Paradiso-Monte Rosa & Matterhorn. Besides remote mountain routes, my passion is to teach techniques & to get trainees to make progress & reach a certain degree of autonomy. In the summer I teach Rock climbing, Snow & ice basic skills, Glacier safety & crevasse rescue, Mixed ridge climbing & rope manoeuvre in alpinism, in winter I ice climb & ski guide