5 adrenaline-rush activities in Aosta Valley

World-class slopes, spectacular scenery, quality cuisine and a history stretching back to Roman times: no wonder skiers and snowboarders flock to Italy’s Aosta Valley every winter.

Nestled in the northwest of the country, Italy’s smallest region is bordered by France and Switzerland. Its location in the heart of the Alps means it’s surrounded by lofty peaks – Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the king of them all, Mont Blanc, which, at 4,810m is Europe’s highest.

With eight snow parks, more than 800km of slopes and a single international electronic ski pass allowing direct access to all runs, Aosta Valley is an obvious choice for skiers and snowboarders. Its 19 resorts vary from family-friendly Pila and the challenging resorts of Courmayeur and Monterosa – which includes Champoluc and Gressoney – to the international resorts of Breuil-Cervinia between Italy and Switzerland and La Thuile between Italy and France.

With airports in Turin, Milan and Geneva all within easy reach, Aosta Valley’s resorts are among the easiest to access from the UK, making the region ideal for a weekend or short break – and skiing isn’t the only activity on offer.

Winter sports enthusiasts who are keen to push themselves to the limit will find a selection of adrenaline-rush activities in Aosta Valley. Here are the region’s top five.

Aosta Valley is one of the few places in Europe where thrill-seekers can go heli-skiing. The activity offers expert skiers the chance to fly over peaks to access superb off-piste terrain – an unmissable experience.

Mountain guides lead competitively priced heli-skiing excursions in Courmayeur, Gressoney and La Thuile.

Fans of extreme sports can also attempt snowkiting, which is a cross between snowboarding and flying a kite. Gripping a kite powered by gusts of wind, intermediate skiers and snowboarders surf, jump and twist over snow – traversing slopes without the need for ski facilities.

Instructors are available in La Thuile, which has a wide area reserved for the sport. The area is positioned at an altitude of 2,188m at the Little Saint Bernard Pass and in Vetan, a hamlet at 1,700m near the town of Saint-Pierre.

Walking uphill with skins – sticky fabric applied to skis to provide grip – then skiing downhill is suitable for all fitness levels and skiing abilities, as ski mountaineering routes range from a few hours on open slopes to several days on glaciers.

Led by a mountain guide, intermediate and experienced ski mountaineers can explore Gran Paradiso – the only 4,000m mountain entirely in Italy. The region is also home to competitions such as the Tour du Rutor and the legendary Mezzalama Trophy on the epic route from Breuil-Cervinia to Gressoney-La-Trinité.

Steep gullies, powder snow and kilometres of unmarked paths are the perfect ingredients for an action-packed freeriding adventure, while snow parks are ideal for freestylers keen to focus on style, speed and competition moves.

Skiers keen to ski off-piste in the Monterosa Ski can explore tracks in Champoluc’s woods, on the Salati Pass and the 3,275m Indren glacier, which can easily be reached on the Funifor Passo dei Salati-Punta Indren cable car.

Meanwhile, Pila’s freerider track consists of a plexiglass-covered treadmill lift that runs from the Couis 1 station, so freeriders can hurtle down the Platta de Grevon at 2,700m altitude to the Plan de L’Eyve. The slope’s landing point is left untouched for a few days after a snowfall before being prepared to entice those seeking powder slopes.

Courmayeur is another must for off-piste skiing enthusiasts. The cable cars at Youla and Arp access immaculate slopes with pure snow: Chécrouit canals and those of Vesse, Arp Vieille, Cresta Youla and Dolonne, are known for their untouched, powdery snow well into the season. The Skyway Monte Bianco cable car whisks visitors to two scenic off-piste slopes: Vallée Blanche and the Toula glacier.

Off piste slopes near the Crévacol station in the Gran San Bernardo area also give freeriders and snowboarding enthusiasts a reason to visit.

Climbing frozen waterfalls then abseiling down them accompanied by a guide will surely appeal to hedonists. Two parallel waterfalls near the Cortoz Alp, close to Saint-Jacques village, are typically the first to freeze over each winter, as they’re in a shady spot at an altitude of 2,180m.

Alternatively, some 150 or so falls around Cogne, such as the 250m-long Patrì in Valnontey village, are waiting to be explored.

Discover more adrenaline-rush activities in Aosta Valley.

Adrenaline-rush activities in Aosta Valley main image credit: Aosta Valley and Daniel Taylor