Champoluc in Italy Resort Guide

Without a doubt, the most popular resort in the little-known Monterosa ski area in Italy, Champoluc is a haven for those who are looking to take their skiing and snowboarding off the beaten path.

Just below the highest Mountain in Italy, Monte Rosa, lies the unspoilt village Champoluc. Together with Gressoney, Antagnod and Alagna Valsesia it forms the Monte Rosa Ski Area, all covered on the same lift pass.
Champoluc itself is a charming and unspoilt village with traditional architecture at the top of the Ayas valley. A real effort has been made to keep ugly, modern developments away from this hamlet and it looks like a real blast from the past in places. Don’t let that fool you, however, as ski holidays in Champoluc offer most of the conveniences you would expect from a modern resort and a whole lot of charm.

Mountain Facts
Ski area - 180 km
Runs - 28 Blue, 54 Red, 13 Black
Longest run 9 Km
Snowparks
Lifts
Drag lifts 5, Chairlifts 16, Cable-cars 3
Slope direction NE,E,SE,SW,NW

Accomodation & Après Ski

Champoluc restaurants, food and drink
All across the town of Champoluc are some fabulous authentic Italian restaurants serving classic and contemporary food. One of the great things about the Monterosa ski area is that the fabulous food isn’t restricted to Champoluc; the mountain restaurants also service delicious and unique a la carte menus. To mention a few places worth visiting: La Grange, situated between the village centre and Frachey, has received some fantastic reviews, and Osteria Il Balvio is a slightly more contemporary restaurant but boasts of an excellent wine list.

The Rascard Frantze is a great place to stop off and refuel at lunch time while out on the mountain (and grab a tipple too- we hear great things about the limoncello). The menu is simple but delicious and serves up some real hearty Italian classics.

We thoroughly recommend that you seek out some of the limited production Aosta Valley wines during your stay. Some delightful and authentic Italian wine bars are dotted throughout the village, which we will cover in our next section...

Champoluc après, bars, club and nightlife
Champoluc is arguably the best resort in the Monterosa ski area for après drinks and cocktails off the slope. You’ll find bars with live music, delicious wines and great company but still, the atmosphere remains a lot calmer and more relaxed than other alpine resorts. The Il Golosone wine bar in Champoluc has received some great reviews as an ideal, central après ski location with a notable wine menu. Based at the bottom of the main gondola leading back into the village is Atelier Gourmand, which is renowned for its wines, beers and good cheer, and there is also The Bistrot worth mentioning.

Champoluc shopping
Champoluc offers the usual sporting goods stores, a few souvenir shops and supermarkets in the small village (please note: there is no weekly market). If you are interested in a shopping trip, then a day excursion to the nearby cities of Milan and Turin, or even the nearby town of Aosta is bound to be more successful. Popular souvenirs to take back home include hand-carved wooden clogs!

Champoluc spas and relaxation
In the centre of Champoluc and very close to the centre of the town is the Hotel Relais des Glaciers, the only hotel in the town that has their doors open to guests who want to come and use their extensive spa and wellness suite. Treatments and use of the spa are bookable at a local price, but include use of indoor and outdoor heated whirlpools, saunas, steam baths, aromatic showers and an icy cold plunge pool.

If you have the means of travelling further afield, stop by the Saint-Vincent Thermal Water spa near the village of Saint-Vincent. The spa is supplied by a precious spring of mountain mineral water, the waters have been heralded as therapeutic. There is a mixture of indoor/outdoor swimming pools, and saunas, as well as a Turkish hammam bath. There is also an outdoor terrace with panoramic views (and a heated swimming pool) for when the weather is pleasant.

Champoluc arts, culture and events
Champoluc is relatively subdued on the arts, culture and events front, but sometimes this can be a blessing - the resort remains quiet and uncrowded and when there is an event or festival happening, it attracts a calmer ski crowd.
If you have the means of doing so- the Aosta Valley and town is well worth a visit for museums. There are also some Roman ruins dotted throughout this ancient area, and a rich and fascinating Italian culture

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Resort Statistics

RESORT HEIGHT	1637	VERTICAL DESCENT	1090	OPENS	Dec - April
TOP STATION	2727	DRAG LIFTS	5	EXPERT RATING	8
BOTTOM STATION	1637	CHAIR LIFTS	16	INTERMEDIATE RATING	9
		GONDOLAS/CABLE CARS	3	BEGINNER RATING	6