Courmayeur is a prestigious Italian resort that offers ski trails for both beginners and professional athletes. Every year, numerous guests visit this marvelous winter resort to enjoy a vacation here. In the opinion of many, this region is incredibly beautiful, and picturesque local nature invokes a feeling of peace, harmony, and serenity in the hearts of guests. Courmayeur is present in many postcards with popular Italian destinations. Thanks to the mountains that surround the resort, the weather in Courmayeur is always windless. There are no avalanches and storms at the resort, so this area is perfectly suitable for winter holidays. Needless to say, there are always many foreign guests in Courmayeur.
The valley, in which Courmayeur is situated, is at the foot of Mont Blanc. The history of the resort started in the 18th century. This is when first mineral springs were discovered at the territory of the modern resort. Numerous locals and foreign guests have proved the healing power of the springs since that time. The Royal Savoy family also heard about that. Having visited the resort, they decided to move to Courmayeur. Later, the region became a shelter for many aristocrats and members of noble families.
Are you an average skier? Courmayeur is an ideal destination for you because the majority of ski routes are suitable for advanced skiers, but professionals and masters will find them too simple. Naturally, experienced mountain skiers will find suitable routes, but their number is not so big. The main skiing area is conventionally divided into two parts – Checrouit, which is situated in the north-east of the resort and features moderate ski trails, and Val Veny, the north-west of the resort with “black” slopes.
Life doesn’t stop in Courmayeur even at night. If you enjoy skiing alone after sunset, there is a special night ski trail. This trail has quality illumination, so you don’t need to worry about your safety. Is mountain holiday a synonym for snowboarding for you? Courmayeur has special areas where snowboarders can polish and enhance their skills. It is also possible to participate in interesting competitions.
Besides skiing, all guests of this popular mountain resort are welcome to attend a spa center that works all year round. Named Thermes de Pré Saint Didier, this popular spa is situated five kilometers from Courmayeur. This is an excellent area to relax after extensive skiing and simply enjoy the beauty of the Mont Blanc area. All visitors can try various healing treatments in hot baths and drink juices or herbal teas. To the service of visitors, there is also a sauna, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and artificial waterfalls.
There are many restaurants and cafes in Courmayeur, and so everyone can easily find something suitable. Many locals and guests of the town enjoy visiting the American bar. This bar is a great place to visit with friends, listen to pleasant music or dance. If you don’t know what to order, consider trying Piadina, thin Italian flatbread with cheese and Prosciutto dry-cured ham. If you pay your attention to various sports events, you will find it interesting to watch competitions broadcasted in the bar. The venue becomes quite crowded in the evening because people come to listen to live music.
Tourists interested in sightseeing can visit the Museum of the Alps that was launched in 1919 by the order of the Duke of the Abruzzi. The popular educational center was opened during the celebration of the Association of Tour Guides’ 150th anniversary. The museum’s décor reflects the style and peculiarities of that period. Nowadays, it exhibits photographs and several displays that tell more about the launch of the resort.
It is possible to get to Courmayeur from the nearby town of Pré-St-Didier. There are three daily trains from Aosta to this town. After that, you will need to take a bus from Pré-St-Didier to Courmayeur. You will reach the resort within half an hour. It is also possible to take a direct bus to Courmayeur from Aosta. The ride will last approximately one hour in this case. Besides that, there are buses that depart from Turin and Milan. In this case, the journey time will be roughly three and a half hours.