Courmayeur
Italy's most glamorous ski resort, nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc.
About Courmayeur
Courmayeur is where Italian style meets Alpine adventure. Sitting at 1,224 metres beneath the massive south face of Mont Blanc, it's been attracting mountaineers, skiers, and bon vivants since the 19th century. The pedestrianised Via Roma is lined with boutiques and après-ski bars, but the real draw is the mountain itself: 100km of ski runs in winter, world-class hiking and climbing in summer, and the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car offering year-round access to 3,466 metres with 360-degree views of the Western Alps. The food blends Valdostana tradition with resort refinement—think fontina fonduta followed by a glass of Blanc de Morgex from Europe's highest vineyards.
Best Time to Visit
December to April for skiing—January and February have the best snow. July to September for hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc or riding the Skyway. Late June brings wildflower meadows.
Local Tips
- Ride the Skyway at dawn.
The rotating Skyway Monte Bianco cable car is spectacular, but the queues can be brutal. A local will tell you to book the first morning departure for clear skies and a nearly empty observation deck at 3,466m.
- Ski the Vallée Blanche.
This legendary off-piste descent from the Aiguille du Midi down the Mer de Glace is a bucket-list experience. A local mountain guide is essential—and they'll know the snow conditions and the best route.
- Hike to a rifugio lunch.
The Val Ferret below Mont Blanc has trails for every level leading to mountain huts serving hearty lunches. A local knows which rifugi have the best polenta and which offer the finest Mont Blanc views.