Fantastic Freeriding around Courmayeur

A guidebook for the Mont Blanc Massif’s powderhounds.

Freeride Skiing Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Severe

Description

The historic Italian resort of Courmayeur is located on the sunny side of the 4810m high Mont Blanc. Situated in the heart of the Aosta Valley, Courmayeur is a mere 20km from its neighbouring French resort Chamonix, and the two towns are linked by the high speed Skyway Monte Bianco cable car. Although Cormayeur’s skiable area is relatively small, what it lacks in groomed slopes it makes up for in fantastically challenging off-piste and heliskiing, and the local lift pass covers all the surrounding Aosta Valley resorts as an added bonus.

Courmayeur town centre is elegant and compact, with pretty cobblestoned pedestrianised streets, top-notch restaurants and stylish Italian boutiques. After a hard day’s skiing you can sit back in one of the many cosy bars, and take in the unadulterated mountain landscapes, with fourteen 4,000m+ peaks visible. Here’s a collection of freeride routes to help you find the finest powder on the mountain.

Sources http://aosta-valley.co.uk/destinations/courmayeur/ https://www.ski.com/blog/7-reasons-to-ski-courmayeur-this-winter/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/resort-guides/Courmayeur-piste-guide/

Routes included

Col D' Arp

A classic skier/boarder route; long, remote and starting from a stunning viewpoint.

Difficult Freeride Skiing

Distance: 5.4 km
Ascent: 4 m
Descent: 1.5 km

Pumba Run

Another secret hidden route with an awesome Lion King theme. With lumps and bumps through the forest and the potential for some gnarly drops.

Difficult Freeride Skiing

Distance: 791 m
Ascent: 0 m
Descent: 221 m

Coming back to Val Veny

A chilled way to end the day, or just a pleasant ride down back to the Val Veny cable station.

Easy Freeride Skiing

Distance: 1.2 km
Ascent: 10 m
Descent: 223 m

Gabba woods

A fun, short off-piste run in the woods that is a good choice in bad visibility.

Difficult Freeride Skiing

Distance: 932 m
Ascent: 0 m
Descent: 276 m

Arp - La Balme

A long off-piste itinerary with no major difficulties. This line ends in another valley so take a taxi or bus to return to the start point.

Moderate Freeride Skiing

Distance: 7.7 km
Ascent: 10 m
Descent: 1.4 km

Bishop's Couloir

One of the best couloirs in the area, this is steep and straight.

Severe Freeride Skiing

Distance: 2.1 km
Ascent: 16 m
Descent: 694 m

Youla nera

A good offpiste run from the Youla when conditions lower on the mountain are bad.

Difficult Freeride Skiing

Distance: 1.2 km
Ascent: 3 m
Descent: 434 m

Finestre

A superb variant from the Arp to join the Dolonne Couloir

Difficult Freeride Skiing

Distance: 1.5 km
Ascent: 7 m
Descent: 597 m

Bertolini woods

One of the first offpiste lines to be skied after snowfall.

Moderate Freeride Skiing

Distance: 610 m
Ascent: 0 m
Descent: 249 m

Dolonne Couloir from Le Greye

An excellent offpiste when Youla cable car is closed

Difficult Freeride Skiing

Distance: 2.8 km
Ascent: 6 m
Descent: 973 m

Vesses couloirs from Arp

A great run from an amazing summit. There's potential for plenty of powder on varied terrain but snowboarders should be prepared for a walk at the end.

Difficult Freeride Skiing