Courmayeur Information

Apres-ski

Après-ski in Courmayeur begins on Via Roma with freshly squeezed orange juice and vodka amid loud music at the American Bar (Via Roma 43), or cocktails and canapés in the back room of the Caffé della Posta (Via Roma 51).

The best nightlife is 3km (2 miles) up the valley at La Palud, by the Mont Blanc tunnel entrance (a 10-minute taxi ride away). Jimmy's (Strada La Palud 23) in Hotel Astoria is the loudest, open the latest and attracts an 18 to 30s crowd; while Hotel I Maquis (Strada della Brenva 10) in Entrèves has a clientele more advanced in years. In Courmayeur centre, the liveliest disco is Poppy's (Via Circonvallazine 48).

Eating out

With nearly 100 restaurants to choose from, Courmayeur is one of the best resort choices in the Alps for those who like good food.

The family run Ristorante Chalet Plan Gorret (tel: +39 0165 841 988; www.chaletplangorret.it) is one of the best restaurants in town, successfully combining the cuisine of the local Aosta Valley with that of Sardinia to widespread acclaim. Maison Vieille (tel: +39 337 230 979; www.maisonvieille.com) is a cosy mountain refuge with a roaring log fire, and offers steaming plates of polenta and local sausage served by the effusive owner Giacoma.

La Terrazza (tel: +39 0165 843 330) is another good choice for traditional Italian cuisine served to a high standard with a good value set menu. The popular Christiania (tel: +39 0165 843 572) has an igloo bar, and serves hearty hot pasta dishes and pizza.

For a fancy night out, Petit Royal at the Hotel Royal e Golf (tel: +39 0165 831 611; www.hotelroyalegolf.com) provides one of Courmayeur's top gourmet experiences, with food served amongst original mountain-themed décor.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Courmayeur is a classic winter resort, and, with this being Italy, visitors can expect an après-ski scene that centres around a strong café culture, high quality dining options and up-market shopping stores.

One of the main off-slope attractions is the Forum Sport Centre (tel: +39 0165 185 2591) that offers indoor winter sports, including a huge skating rink and curling. It also provides facilities for indoor tennis and squash, a golf driving range, climbing wall, gym and sauna.

Back in the great outdoors there is also an indigenous animal park, the Parc Animalier d'Introd, to visit too if you want to get know the local fauna (tel: +39 334 795 5000; www.parc-animalier-introd.it).

The four linked cable cars over the Mont Blanc massif to Chamonix (that cross high above the famous Vallée Blanche in France) comprise perhaps the most spectacular cable car journey in the world.

Family fun

Courmayeur is not the ideal family resort, but there is a range of services dedicated to children. Among the limited child-only attractions, kids can play at the resort's playgrounds, while the Forum Sport Centre (Via dello Stadio) provides endless sporting opportunities.

Those wishing to ski can learn at the Monte Bianco Ski School (tel: +39 0165 842 477; www.scuolascimontebianco.com), which segments children by age as well as ability. The school also offers a crèche and kindergarten service for infants from six months to 12 years old at Plan Checrouit, as well as the option of a second location in the resort centre on Via dello Stadio.

Retail therapy

With just about every designer clothing name from Milan having a presence on Via Roma, the main shopping street, Courmayeur is a fashionista's heaven.

There are also numerous independently run wine and speciality food shops in Courmayeur, offering products from the region. Pastificio Gabriella (tel: +39 0165 843 359), selling handmade pasta and specialist Aosta Valley deserts, is a good example.

Splashing out

Courmayeur is one of the few places in the Alps where heli-skiing is still offered. What's more, skiers are picked up straight from the piste, so there is no wasting time. Single or multiple drops are available on the Aiguille des Glacier or Fortin Summit from Società Guide Alpine (tel: +39 0165 842 064; www.guidecourmayeur.com).

Hotels

This traditional Italian village has charming cobbled streets and well-preserved buildings with accommodation ranging from the luxury to the affordable. As such, there is a full range of traditional chalets, apartments and hotels in Courmayeur.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap