La Thuile
La Thuile offers 143km cross-border skiing to France at 1,190-2,800m. North-facing slopes, 38 lifts, 390cm snowfall in Aosta Valley.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
134
Annual snow
3.5m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
La Thuile delivers an exceptional Alpine skiing experience in Italy's Aosta Valley, forming half of the international Espace San Bernardo ski area with 143.1km of varied terrain reaching 2,800m. This former mining village transformed into a modern ski resort combines 82 marked runs across predominantly north-facing slopes that preserve excellent snow quality throughout the season. The spectacular location along the Italian-French border provides uninterrupted cross-border skiing to La Rosière, creating a seamless 152km international ski domain with 38 modern lifts and minimal queuing. La Thuile's challenging home runs include the legendary Pista 3 Franco Berthod, featuring a maximum gradient of 73% that makes it Italy's steepest piste and a former Women's World Cup venue.
The resort's unique position in the western Aosta Valley ensures reliable snowfall from multiple weather systems, whilst the predominantly north-facing terrain maintains superior snow quality compared to sunnier French neighbours. With elevations spanning 1,190m to 2,800m and a vertical drop exceeding 1,600m, La Thuile offers extensive high-altitude terrain complemented by tree-lined lower slopes that provide excellent visibility during storms. The international ski pass grants access to both Italian and French sectors, delivering exceptional value with hourly lift capacity of 63,000 skiers across modern chairlifts and gondola infrastructure.
1610m
Vertical
82
Runs
143.1 km
Piste
3.5m
Annual snow
Watch
See La Thuile in motion
The Terrain
82 runs across 143.1 km of piste
La Thuile covers 143.1 kilometres of piste and 82 runs, climbing from the village at 1,190 metres to 2,800 metres, a vertical of 1,610 metres. The area leans towards comfortable skiing: 39% beginner, 49% intermediate and 12% advanced, with no expert grade. Open bowls above the tree line give way to forested lower runs that help in poor visibility, and many of the slopes face north. A ski-in link over the border to La Rosière in France extends the playground, making it a good pick for intermediates who want mileage, variety and quieter pistes than the big French resorts.
Pista 3 Franco Berthod is the benchmark steep run, a former women's World Cup venue with some very steep pitches, and it gives advanced skiers a proper test. Chaz Dura climbs to around 2,579 metres and offers broad intermediate skiing in a high setting. Freeriders look to the steep north side of La Thuile, the open east-facing slopes above Les Suches and, across the border, Mont Valaisan; all of it needs a guide and avalanche gear. Beginners have easy ground near the village, and families will find the network forgiving. Strong intermediates get the best value.
Terrain split
82
runs
82 runs across 4 grades
Beginner32 runs · 39%
Intermediate40 runs · 49%
Advanced10 runs · 12%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit La Thuile
La Thuile typically operates from late November through late April, with the 2025-2026 season running from 29 November 2025 to 21 April 2026. The resort benefits from substantial natural snowfall averaging 390cm annually, complemented by extensive snowmaking coverage across 40km of pistes using 400 snow cannons. The predominantly north-facing slopes ensure superior snow preservation throughout the season, often maintaining excellent conditions when south-facing French neighbours experience deterioration.
Peak season conditions occur from January through March, when the high-altitude terrain combined with northern exposure creates reliable powder opportunities and consistent snow quality. The resort's elevation range from 1,190m to 2,800m provides altitude insurance, with the upper bowls above Les Suches typically preserving excellent snow well into spring. La Thuile's favourable microclimate position in the western Aosta Valley captures snowfall from multiple weather patterns, earning the resort recognition amongst locals as having some of the Alps' most reliable snow conditions. The tree-lined lower slopes remain skiable to season's end, whilst the exposed upper terrain offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn during clear conditions.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
134
Days open
3.5 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at La Thuile
Daily snow reports at La Thuile go back to 1996, 4 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
36 cm
Snowiest day
30 Nov 1996
93 cm
This winter · 1999-00
so far
583 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to La Thuile, and where to stay
Located in northwestern Italy's Aosta Valley near the French border, La Thuile sits approximately 140km from Geneva, 170km from Turin and 220km from Milan Malpensa. The resort occupies a spectacular position at the western extremity of the Aosta Valley, just 15km from Courmayeur and accessible via a brief 15km drive from the Morgex motorway exit. This strategic border location provides unique access to cross-border skiing with La Rosière in France's Haute Tarentaise region through the historic Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo pass.
The village combines authentic Alpine character with modern resort facilities, featuring purpose-built lift-base infrastructure alongside the historic former mining town centre. La Thuile's location enables convenient day trips to renowned thermal baths at Pré Saint Didier (9km away) and exceptional ski touring access to the Rutor Glacier. The Aosta Valley's efficient motorway network (E25) provides straightforward access from major airports, with Geneva requiring approximately 2 hours' drive, Turin 2 hours, and Milan Malpensa 2 hours 45 minutes. Regular bus services connect La Thuile with Aosta (42km), whilst the resort's proximity to the Mont Blanc Tunnel allows access to Chamonix in under an hour, creating exceptional opportunities to experience both Italian and French Alpine cultures.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near La Thuile, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Val Gardena to Alpe di Siusi Lift Link Back in Play After Court Ruling
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8 Nov 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Rockslide Zone Stays Closed Through 2026-27 Season
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7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
7 Nov 2026
KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.
5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
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4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026
La Thuile Snow Report
Snow Report
Updated 8 Nov 2026
2800m
summit
+0cm
new snow · last 24 hours
Partly Cloudy-1°C / 2°C · SW 18km/h
Snowfall
24 hours
0cm
48 hours
0cm
7 days
18cm
Base depth
0cm
Season total
75cm
Typical winter 583cm
Total lifts38
Live open status isn’t available right now.
28 Nov 2026 - 11 Apr 2027
Hour by Hour
Next 37 hours· Updated Nov 8, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
2,478 mUpdated Nov 8, 2026 at 5:02 PMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
18cm
Days 8–14
38cm
Mon, Nov 9
Slight Rain Showers
Temp2° / -1°°C
Snow0.0cm(80%)
Wind18 km/h SW
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the La Thuile snow report
La Thuile snow conditions, updated regularly: current snowfall, snow depth, temperatures, and the outlook for this Italy resort.
Snow measurements
Snow depth at La Thuile is tracked at both the base and summit, since the two elevations often see different totals — roughly a 1610m difference here. We report fresh snowfall over the last 24 hours and 7 days alongside the running season total, in both metric and imperial units.
Weather conditions
Wind and temperature swings matter as much as fresh snowfall. Cold, calm conditions hold snow quality well, while wind-loading or a warm-up can change things quickly — especially given the elevation spread between La Thuile's base and summit.
Data sources
We pull La Thuile's conditions from on-the-ground mountain reporting, then layer in forecast data so you get a fuller picture than either source alone. The mountain is served by 38 lifts, including 10 quad chairlifts and 7 6-person chairlifts.
When to check
The biggest swings usually happen right after a storm. Check La Thuile's report in the morning for the freshest numbers, and again in the afternoon as conditions evolve.