Cruising the Alps:
Sports Facilities
Gressoney
Monte Rosa
The Monterosa Skiing area connects Valdostan
Gressoney
and Champoluc with the Piedmontese Alagna Valsesia.
The Monte Rosa ski area is made up of several resorts: Alagna,
Gressoney-St Jean, Gressoney-La Trinité, Brusson, Antagnod and Champoluc.
Each of the resorts is a separate entity and each has a ski school
with many English-speaking teachers. They are all located in the
Italian province of Val d'Aosta, and collectively boast very good
skiing at the foot of Monte Rosa, Europe's second highest mountain.
The area comprises over 200 kilometers of prepared slopes serviced
by 48 lifts. In spite of its somewhat daunting altitude, the area
also caters to cross country skiers, with about 30 km of CC trails.
Although all the areas are not 100% connected by the lift system,
the region is convenient in that one can cover almost all of the
territory on skis, with a free ski bus which takes up where a skiers
skills leave off.
The ski zone of Monte Rosa connects the Valdostan Gressoney and
Champoluc with the Piedmontese Alagna Valsesia. Gressoney is a celebrated
ski base with a long tradition located in the heart of Monte Rosa
region. It is a vast, mountainous region, shimmering with the light
reflected off its huge glaciers. The peaks providing the foundation
and backdrop for the area's fabulous slopes are over 4000 meters
high, and create three distinct valleys. At the center is the Gressoney
valley, the most beautiful and picturesque, with Val d'Ayas to the
west (Champoluc lift station).
Valsesia to the east boasts the village of Alagna, adorned by ancient
Walser houses, built by the Germanic folk of that name who migrated
into the area in the 12th century.
The slopes
Wide runs with greatly varying gradients characterize what is one of
Italy's most attractive ski areas. Slopes are predominantly easy or
intermediate, offering something for every skier, regardless of proficiency!
Skiers are also offered a choice of scenery -- from the runs which course
through the woods above Champoluc to the thrilling downhills of Bettaforca.
More difficult, are the slopes located between the Passo dei Salati
and the Lago Gabiet, while the Alagna valley is a paradise for cross
country fans, with a series of splendid CC trails which have attracted
world-class skiers from around the globe. By way of contrast, small
and tranquil spots like Crest and Antagnod in Val d'Ayas, or Weissmatten
in Gressoney are particularly attractive to families, with playgrounds
for the kids and sledding trails. In the valleys, well-worn paths invite
romantic strolls among the woods and winter white splendour of the surroundings.
Rest Areas and Refreshments
There are a number of places along the slopes where tired skiers can
stop for a sampling of local specialties like polenta with game or one
of those fabulous sandwiches made with every kind of cold cuts or cheese
imaginable -- to be followed, of course, by the fruit crostate tart
or chocolate cake.
Among the best views in the area are the ones on offer at the Belvedere,
high up on Champoluc, or at the Punta Indren restaurant at 3250
meters, near the Monte Rosa summit and close to the fascinating old
funicular station which climbs up from Alagna. A nice little restaurant
where you'll eat very well indeed, is in the Rifugio Gabiet,
strategically placed along the Gressoney La Trinitè slopes.
  
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