Gressoney

The Gressoney valley is a truly living mountain community.  With 3 main centres:

• Gressoney St Jean,
• Gressoney La Trinite and
• Gressoney Stafal, there really is something for everyone.

Situated in at the foot of the Monte Rosa mountain giving central access to the whole of the “Monterosa Ski” area there is a lot of alpine as well as cross country skiing on offer.

The “Monterosa Ski” area stretches over three valleys and has a network of over 200km of pistes, most of which are equipped with snow cannons.  These prepared slopes offer all grades of piste, something for every level of skier from beginner to racer.  For those who love to ski off piste the surrounding mountains offer a bountiful supply of off piste and ski touring opportunities but for this we would always recommend you take a guide.

Note there is a regular (every 15 mins) bus service that carries people up and down the valley during the day.

Gressoney St Jean

The lower of the 3 villages this is actually the oldest village. It has a wonderful atmosphere and a buzzing ambience - pedestrian centre and a lot of "passeggiata" or people walking to you and me!

Altitude 1385 metres

Gressoney St. Jean is also a haven for cross country skiers with 25 km of trails often only a few metres from the door of one’s accommodation.  Very nearby is also the separate ski area of Weismatten which offers excellent downhill skiing on down hill courses used by the Canadian Olympic ski team during the Turin Winter Olympics. It was nominated as Italy's best ski run in 2009.

After the success of the test of the Canadian Oyimpic ski team during the past Olympic games, in 2010 Weissmatten slopes hosted 2 races of the European Female Cup, 2 races of the World Military Games disputed in March and at the beginning of the 2011 season, they will host the European Female Cup (10th/11th December).

Founded in the 13th century Gressoney St. Jean is an elegant village with a sophisticated atmosphere, centred around the old cobbled square with beautifully restored original architecture. The parish church of San Giovanni rebuilt in 1725 on the foundations of the 16th century church.  The village is steeped in tradition and is a centre of the old art of wood carving.  The Savoy castle, once the summer residence of Queen Margherita is truly remarkable and worth a visit.

Gressoney St. Jean is an excellent location for families and skiers who like to stay in a genuinely historical and charming village enjoying traditional architecture and accommodation.  There are excellent ski bus links to all the major lifts and it has a fine selection of local restaurants serving traditional culinary delights, typical dishes of the Aosta Valley.

Gressoney La Trinite

This is the middle village. Offering direct access to the mountain via the Punta Jolanda lift, this is a short cut for some people to get onto the snow quickly. The village is also lovely with some lively bars and some great restaurants.

Altitude1637 metres

Gressoney La Trinite is the first point up the valley where you can jump on a chair lift and get taken into the Monterosa Ski area itself.  It is a small village again steeped in history (you will find the Walser museum in the village square).

There is a fun park and small ski school for smaller children to learn to ski, or simply to have fun after a day on the mountain.  You can also pick up ski and boot rental in the village.

There are several bars and restaurants as well as Hotels and Self catered apartments.  If your choice is to be within walking distance of the mountain without the hubbub of the main lift station then this is the place for you.  It is about a 10 minute drive from here up to Gressoney Stafal where you can find the main lift station.

Gressoney Stafal

At the head of the valley du Lys you find Stafal. Here is where the main lifts set of to the peaks leading to Alagna and Champoluc. It is also where the ski school starts and where you can buy your lift passes (if we have not already done this for you)

Altutude 1818 metres

Whilst not truly a village (there are no shops, playground, church etc), Stafal which is found at the head of the valley where the main ski centre of Gressoney can be found.  This is the central point between the Alagna and Champoluc valleys.  Setting off from here every day you can decide on a different route to take including all the way up to the Punta Indren lift station at 3275 metres.

The main ski school starts here and as well as a nursery slope with tapis roulant and fun park, all the more advanced lessons set off from just outside the main lift station.

There are a few bars and restaurants which are mainly dominated by skiers during the day.  In the evening it is a quite spot where the Hotels offer some lovely and comfortable accommodation.  It is about a 25-30 minute drive from Stafal down to the Sporthaus leisure complex in Gressoney St Jean.