Gressoney in Italy Resort Guide

Gressoney lies at the centre of Italy's three valleys, the Monterosa area which named after Europe's second highest mountain. Until the gradual influx of Britons over recent years it had been exclusively the haunt of in the know Italians. Gressoney St Jean is lower down the valley, 8kms further up is Gressoney La Trinite - which is bigger and with more uplift - and the head of this valley is the remote outpost of Stafal where the only real attraction is accomodation on the slopes and a good snow record, but most of the main link runs joining Champoluc in the east and Alagna to the west pass through Stafal. The Gressoney valley offers several ski stations - Weissmatten, St Jean, La Trinite, and Stafal. Over the whole Monte Rosa ski area there are over 150kms of prepared pistes over the three valleys. Gressoney is one of the most attractive villages in the Aosta Valley with a vista that stretches from the Matterhorn, to Mont Blanc, Monta Rosa and the glacier, and the Grand Paradiso. Lying on the Swiss border the valleys were settled in the middle ages by the Walsers and the villages retain the particular German/French roots, and the ancestral dialect still persists. Gressoney is quiet, informal and relaxed but a good location for a mixed ability group who wish to spread their wings. But not over-exert themselves. Beginners skiing is accessible and snowsure, but there is only a limited number of English speaking instructors. There is plenty of good intermediate terrain and Alagna will satisfy the appetite of the more demanding advanced skiers, while there is heliskiing available locally also. There are a few good sports shops, local craft and gift shops, and one or two authentic craft shops down the valley in St Jean where the Castle of Savoie is also worth a visit. There is also a natural ice rink, tobogganing, snow shoe walking. Eating out there is a fair choice for all tastes and budgets from local fayre, grills and venison to cheaper pizzas and pasta meals. Gressoney, Champoluc and Alagna may be only a few kms apart across the three adjacent valleys but by road they are probably two or three hours drive apart. Alagna is about to be revolutionised with a planned new lift installation which will open up new intermediate and beginners terrain. The cable car is being replaced with a gondola and a 2 seater chair will serve new intermediate pistes which will be served by snow cannons. Alagna has direct access to the Indren glacier and its fabulous snowsure skiing and boarding.

Accomodation & Après Ski

Nightlife is limited to mainly quiet local bars, cafes, creperie and restaurants - busier peak season, but not a destination for the avid apres ski fan, although the Futura disco is reputed to be quite lively when it opens weekends and peak season.

Gressoney offers good restaurants serving typical local specialities. At La Trinité, the Pizzeria Walserchild or the Pulce Bar, Petit Bar for fantastic sandwiches, at Stafal the Capanna Carla or the Kramenthal serve local dishes.
In La Trinité the Hirsch Stube is best for draught beer and the Petit Bar for scrumptious home made apple cake.
Other activities include:
Natural ice rink (St. Jean)
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoe walking
Helicopter tours
Toboggan run
Other amenities include:
Local handicraft shops
Buses to Aosta for the Tuesday market

Web Cams

Resort Statistics

RESORT HEIGHT	1638	VERTICAL DESCENT	1223	OPENS	Nov - April
TOP STATION	2861	DRAG LIFTS	10	EXPERT RATING	7
BOTTOM STATION	1638	CHAIR LIFTS	4	INTERMEDIATE RATING	10
		GONDOLAS/CABLE CARS	3	BEGINNER RATING	6