
Courmayeur commands an exceptional position on the sunny Italian flank of Mont Blanc, with 100km of diverse terrain spreading across two distinct sectors between 1,205m and 2,755m. This refined Aosta Valley resort combines world-class off-piste skiing with sophisticated Italian hospitality, delivering authentic Alpine experiences beneath Europe's highest peak at 4,810m.
The resort's ski area divides between the open Plan Checrouit sector and the dramatic north-facing forested slopes of Val Veny, creating varied terrain accessed by 20 modern lifts including four aerial trams, four gondolas, and multiple chairlifts that efficiently transport skiers across the mountain's spectacular faces.
The predominantly intermediate terrain with 51% red runs and 38% blue runs suits confident skiers, while limited but genuine black runs and extraordinary off-piste opportunities attract advanced riders seeking technical challenges. Access from three valley bases at Courmayeur town, Dolonne village, and Entrèves hamlet provides flexible entry to slopes that consistently showcase breathtaking Mont Blanc massif views. The spectacular Skyway Monte Bianco cable car ascending 2,100m to Punta Helbronner at 3,462m creates access to legendary glacier descents including the Toula Glacier and connections to France's Vallée Blanche, establishing Courmayeur as a serious big-mountain destination.
The resort's car-free historic centre features cobbled streets, designer boutiques lining Via Roma, and renowned mountain restaurants including the legendary Maison Vieille, reflecting Courmayeur's sophisticated character as one of Italy's most refined ski destinations with over 150 years of Alpine tourism heritage.
Courmayeur sits on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, with 33 runs over roughly 41.5 kilometres between 1,205 and 2,755 metres. That is a 1,550 metre vertical on a compact area, divided into the Plan Checrouit side and the north-facing Val Veny. Intermediates dominate at 51%, with 38% beginner, 8% advanced and 3% expert, so the groomed skiing is moderate. The numbers undersell the mountain, because much of its appeal lies off the piste and in the views across the Mont Blanc massif. It suits confident intermediates and anyone happy to hire a guide for the bigger days.
Access is by cable car from Courmayeur and Entrèves, or by the Dolonne gondola. The old Youla and Arp trams carry skiers to the top, where off-piste lines drop towards Val Veny; these routes need avalanche gear and a guide. Val Veny's north-facing slopes hold their snow and run through larch forest, while Plan Checrouit offers open, sunny cruising and mountain huts for long lunches. Beginners have gentle slopes near mid-station. Skiers wanting big mileage should look elsewhere, but those chasing scenery, steep terrain beyond the pistes and a refined town at the bottom will be well served.
Courmayeur typically operates from late November through early April, delivering one of the most reliable ski seasons in the Italian Alps with peak conditions concentrated in January through March. The resort benefits from its protected position on Mont Blanc's southern flank, with predominantly north-facing Val Veny slopes maintaining excellent snow quality while the sunnier Plan Checrouit sector receives comprehensive snowmaking coverage across 70% of terrain ensuring consistent conditions throughout the season. The elevation range from 1,205m to 2,755m creates varied snow conditions, with upper slopes and Val Veny's forested runs preserving quality through favorable aspects and strategic snowmaking.
The resort's proximity to Mont Blanc massif creates distinctive microclimates, with Val Veny's north and northwest aspects holding snow exceptionally well even during marginal periods, while Plan Checrouit's southeast exposure makes it less suitable for late-season skiing but perfect during cold January and February conditions. Clear weather reveals extraordinary panoramic views across the glacier-clad peaks of the Mont Blanc range, including the Miage Glacier visible from Cresta d'Arp and the towering summit of Mont Blanc dominating Val Veny's skyline.
The predominantly intermediate terrain with wide, well-groomed pistes appeals throughout the season, while the resort's legendary off-piste descents—including classic routes from Cresta d'Arp dropping 1,500m to valley floors—require specific snow conditions and professional guiding. Spring skiing extends into early April thanks to north-facing Val Veny slopes and high-altitude terrain, though the resort's relatively modest maximum elevation compared to neighboring French resorts makes timing crucial for optimal conditions.
Located at the head of the Aosta Valley in northwestern Italy at 1,224m altitude, Courmayeur sits directly beneath the southern flank of Mont Blanc just 25km from Chamonix through the Mont Blanc Tunnel. The elegant mountain town preserves its historic character through a traffic-free centre featuring cobbled streets, 18th-century architecture, and the distinctive Church of Saint-Pantaléon, while offering refined accommodations spanning luxury hotels to traditional guesthouses in the town and nearby hamlets of Dolonne and Entrèves.
Geneva Airport provides the primary international gateway just 118km away with transfer times of 90 minutes through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, establishing Courmayeur as one of Europe's most accessible major Alpine destinations. Turin Airport offers alternative Italian access 151km distant with similar transfer times, while Milan Malpensa Airport serves long-haul travelers 214km away. The resort's strategic position creates exceptional connectivity to other Aosta Valley destinations including La Thuile, Pila, and Cervinia within easy day-trip distance, while cross-border access to Chamonix's extensive terrain lies just beyond the tunnel.
The town's sophisticated character reflects over 150 years of Alpine tourism heritage, with Via Roma's designer boutiques, refined restaurants serving traditional Aosta Valley cuisine, and civilized après-ski culture centered around elegant café-bars offering proper Italian aperitivi. The spectacular Skyway Monte Bianco cable car—one of the world's most technologically advanced installations—creates year-round access to 3,462m at Punta Helbronner, offering extraordinary panoramic views and establishing Courmayeur's reputation beyond skiing through this remarkable engineering achievement completed in 2015.
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Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.

Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.

Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.

The Alps look a lot more like winter today, for a day or so. A cold front is moving west to east, dropping up to 35 cm on high glaciers and peaks, with snow levels falling to around 1,500-1,800 m at times. Don’t plan a trip around it: mid-elevation snow will be thin and wet, every area is closed bar a limited Sölden glacier opening tomorrow, and warmer weather returns by Monday.

Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.

Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.

Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.
The lift infrastructure at Courmayeur features 20 installations strategically distributed across two interconnected sectors, efficiently moving skiers through 1,550m of vertical terrain beneath the Mont Blanc massif. Four aerial trams provide primary valley access, including the iconic Courmayeur-Plan Checrouit cable car departing from the town centre and the Val Veny tram from Entrèves serving the north-facing sector, while the Dolonne gondola creates convenient access with a genuine valley run option. The comprehensive network includes four gondolas, one six-person chair, four quad chairs, one triple chair, and two double chairs serving specific terrain zones, while surface lifts provide beginner area access at Plan Checrouit and Pre de Pascal.
The ancient Cresta di Youla-Cresta d'Arp cable cars represent the resort's most distinctive infrastructure, with the tiny 15-person Arp tram ascending to 2,755m delivering advanced skiers to spectacular off-piste descents into Val Veny and Vallone Arpetta. The Plan Checrouit hub at 1,704m serves as the resort's central meeting point where multiple lifts converge, creating efficient connections between sectors and access to the resort's renowned mountain restaurants. The Bertolini chairlift provides access to the resort's steepest maintained terrain and exceptional larch forest skiing, while the Zerotta chairlift serves a sheltered sector popular with families.
This thoughtful distribution ensures access to everything from gentle cruising runs to technical couloir descents, though the lack of valley runs from most sectors necessitates lift-assisted returns—a distinctive characteristic creating opportunities for extended après-ski sessions at mid-mountain establishments like the famous Chiecco hut above Plan Checrouit.
More Courmayeur intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.