Snow-dusted peaks, long Italian lunches, thermal steam rising into crisp mountain air make Aosta Valley a natural choice for a weekend winter in Europe. Made up of eight different tourist areas, each with its own charm, you really can’t go wrong when visiting this region at any time of year. Aosta Valley is located in the northwestern portion of Italy, bordering France and Switzerland. Not only does it have 19 ski resorts but it also houses some of the highest mountains in Europe, including the Gran Paradiso, Matterhorn and Mount Blanc. Don’t forget it is home to European thermal baths as well.
I have been fortunate enough to visit two of the areas during the winter for a long weekend of alpine skiing: Cervino Ski Paradise in Cervinia, Italy and Pila ski resort (for a stay in the charming Aosta, Italy). Last year, we went to Cervinia and last month, we went to Aosta. Both mountains were beautifully groomed and the skies were blue which I hope is a regular trend for winter in Italy. But the vibe of each town was very different which means you have at least two solid options when planning to travel with friends to the Aosta Valley.
Why the Aosta Valley Is Perfect for a Girls’ Ski Trip in Italy
Depending on whom you are traveling with, you may be looking for a certain type of experience. My favorite ski trip as of late happened last winter with the Outdoor Adventure Girls. There were 16 women staying in the same chalet, sharing rooms and eating a lot of delicious food. Some people knew each other but most were traveling on their own. We had a lot of fun both on the slopes and off (because happy hour starts at 3pm which means we had a little too much fun).
Because of this experience with strangers, that I can now call friends, I can think of nothing better than a long weekend with my besties on the slopes. With Italy’s Aosta Valley accessible from a few major airports, it is a natural choice for a ski holiday abroad with the girls.
Both destinations offer world-class skiing, incredible Italian food, and thermal spa experiences. To me it’s the trifecta of a great vacation. There is nothing more that I want to do then end a long day of skiing than sit in a hot tub.
When we went to Cervinia, we rented an apartment so we could save a bit of money by cooking our own food. Sadly, the apartment building didn’t have any spa facilities. But, I figured there would be somewhere we could pay to enter. We soon learned that the local thermal spas were only for hotel guests, and that locals would drive quite a distance to a public spa. It was ok though as our building was nearly ski in/ski out. It was a short walk down the road to a small chairlift which had a fun short run to the big chairlift. We didn’t need to drive anywhere. There was also a bus route from the town center to our apartment building. It was only 2 Euros if we wanted to enjoy apres before heading home.
Luckily, our hotel in Aosta had a spa (for an additional fee) that included the hot tub, steam room, sauna, and cold showers. When we returned home, I learned that Aosta has a municipal indoor pool with a wellness area. If you are looking for more than just a hot tub (or jacuzzi as they call it in Europe), such as saunas, turkish baths, and more, this municipal spa is an excellent price. The hotel was a 10-15 minute walk to the gondola. Since we had to pay for parking at our hotel, we decided to leave our car in the free parking lot at the gondola. We didn’t need it to get around Aosta as everything was very close together.
Resort 1: Cervino (Breuil-Cervinia)
Location and how to get there
If you prefer a glam alpine buzz, Cervino Ski Paradise is about an hour and a half drive from Turin (where you can find a huge upscale outlet near the airport).
If you’d rather not drive, the closest train station is Châtillon/Saint-Vincent. From there, there’s bus service (and also from Turin and Milan) to/from Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche. This destination offers iconic Matterhorn views, a lively après-ski scene, and many restaurant options.
Where to stay
There are plenty of hotels in and on the mountain to meet a variety of budgets. We rented a studio apartment because we leave early to get fresh tracks. We could ski all day, apres for a bit, then head home for dinner and early bedtime to repeat it the following day. Consider if you want ski in/ski out and/or meals included when booking your accommodation.
Worth noting: when we looked into spa options, we learned that some local thermal spa access can be limited to hotel guests.
How is the skiing in Cervino?
Cervino (aka The Matterhorn) sits at 2,050 meters and offers skiing up to 3,899 meters (nearly 12,800 feet!). The elevation means you have pretty good odds for excellent snow coverage.
Depending on the ski experience of your group, you may be drawn to Cervino for the high-altitude runs and Matterhorn views. As one of the highest ski resorts in Italy (which gives excellent snow reliability), you will also have access to Zermatt for Swiss ski terrain. The vast slopes provide lots of options for mixed ability groups to find common ground.
All the Extras (food, après, and more)
Of course, the dramatic Matterhorn backdrop will really up the ante for your Instagram pics.
The resort-style ski infrastructure means that there are many places to stop for an Aperol Spritz or snack both on the mountain and in town. I highly recommend lunch at Love on a sunny day. With a huge patio overlooking the valley, it is the perfect place for a late lunch/early apres. There are endless choices of restaurants in town. You can find any type of cuisine you are in the mood for, plus karaoke and dance clubs.
Cervinia is a modern, purpose-built ski resort with large hotels to cater for an international crowd and has the energy that comes with so many people being on holiday. You will want to keep on the move while you are there, exploring the shops and bars after a day on the slopes.
Resort 2: Aosta (with skiing at Pila)
If rustic Italian charm is your preferred vibe, Pila is the ski resort for you (with a stay in Aosta, Italy) The town has historic charm with 2000 year old Roman ruins, a closed pedestrian town center, and an old-world relaxed vibe. Aosta is located in a valley with an elevation of 583 meters.
Location and how to get there
Aosta is about a two and a half hour drive from Milan.
From the edge of Aosta city center, you can take the Aosta–Pila cable car and reach Pila resort in about 18 minutes.
Train is an option too. Main rail connections run Milano–Torino / Chivasso–Aosta, and from Aosta railway station you can reach the cable car departure in about 5 minutes via an underground passage.
Where to stay
For this trip, we stayed in Aosta town center (not at the ski resort itself). We accessed Pila for skiing by walking to the gondola and heading up the mountain. If you choose to do this, I highly recommend renting a locker to store your skis and boots overnight. If you are there to maximize your time on the slopes, accommodation is available on the mountain at various hotels and chalets. Entertainment options are limited, however. Alternatively, for a more restful weekend with the girls, you can stay in Aosta which is a short walk or drive to the gondola from the town center.
How is the skiing in Pila?
Nearby Pila ski resort goes up to 2750 meters (more than 9,000 feet). For snow lovers, the ski lifts serving the Pila slopes are in operation from 8:25 AM to 5:30 PM without interruption (with the Aosta–Pila cable car as the first departure).
The slopes are much quieter and just as wide and accessible as Cervino. I think this makes Pila also suitable for all ski abilities. Here, you will be able to balance skiing and Italian culture.
Extras in Aosta (food, culture, and more)
You will discover wine bars hidden down cobblestone alleys and enjoy espresso in a picturesque piazza.
We had an incredible seven course tasting menu with paired wine at aRoma which is built into some of the ancient Roman ruins. Everywhere we ate, we could order homemade pasta which was served with fresh bread. Don’t worry, we had pizza too.
Walking around town, you could see how the Romans influenced the town layout by building walkways under the river. The shop windows were filled with some of the local craft featured in the Sant’Orso Fair, which has been going for 1000 years. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for items such as sculptures, inlay on wood, soapstone, wrought iron and leather working, weavings, lace, wicker, household objects, wooden ladders, and more.
The Sant’Orso Fair weekend also celebrates music and folklore, making it a unique time to visit Aosta. We accidentally planned our trip to overlap with the Sant’Orso Fair and I am so glad we did. It was definitely something to experience as the art trail was 2km of tables set up to sell handmade goods.
Cervino vs. Aosta: Quick Comparison
Cervino (Breuil-Cervinia)
Pros
- Higher-altitude skiing and strong snow reliability
- Iconic Matterhorn views
- Lively après-ski, restaurants, bars, and nightlife
- Lots of terrain options for mixed ability groups
- Access to Zermatt / Swiss ski terrain
Cons
- More modern, purpose-built resort feel (less historic charm)
- Can feel busier / more high-energy
- Spa access may depend on where you stay (our apartment had none)
Aosta (with Pila)
Pros
- Historic town with Roman ruins and a more local Italian feel
- Quieter slopes at nearby Pila, still good for mixed abilities
- Easy balance of skiing + food + culture
- Strong wellness/spa options (hotel spa and municipal wellness area)
Cons
- Lower elevation than Cervino (though still a long season)
- Less of a resort/nightlife scene than Cervino
- Skiing is at nearby Pila, so your stay and ski base are separate
Final Verdict: Cervino or Aosta for Your Aosta Valley Ski Trip?
While both Italian ski locations offer incredible skiing, amazing Italian food and options for thermal spa relaxation, it really depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for.
For a high energy, lively experience with unlimited dining options giving you iconic alpine energy, Cervino is where you need to be.
If you prefer a relaxing authentic weekend surrounded by charming history and rustic Italian culture, Aosta is looking forward to having you.
Either way, pack the matching ski sweaters and enjoy exploring the Aosta Valley.
