Cruising the Alps:
The Resort
Courmayeur
Gourmand points
The Maison de Filippo (district of Entreves, ph: 0165-869797, approximately
70.000 per person), recognized as the sanctuary of Valle d'Aosta cuisine,
is a must. Located in a renovated, typical, stone mountain house in Entreves,
at the foot of the Mont Blanc, the rustic interior has smoke-blackened beams,
low vaulted ceilings, a stone stairway and a large fireplace. Among the
specialties offered besides the charcuterie, there are the aromatic herb
cheeses, hot ham, the thick Valle d'Aosta soup with fontina
cheese and savoy cabbage, "carbonada" (stew) and fondue.
In center of town the Pierre Alexis (Via Marconi 54, ph: 0165-843517, approximately
75.000 per person) accompanies its fare with an excellent choice of Piedmontese
wines.
Hotels
In the beautiful district of Entreves there are two romantic
hotels: The Pillier d'Angle (ph: 0165-869760, Fax: 0165-869770).
Since 1897 the Pillier d'Angle has been the mountain-climbers' meeting
place. Today this house with weathered wood balconies is a welcoming
hotel with alpine-style decorated rooms. It has an excellent, typical
restaurant.
The Grange (ph: 0165-869731, Fax: 0165-869744) is an old, artistically
renovated barn with 21 comfortable rooms furnished in a rustic manner.
Both hotels are positioned in strategic locations to reach both the
Val Veny slopes and the Val Veny cross-country trails.
The Hotel Pavillon Relais et Châteaux(ph: 0165-846120, Fax: 0165-846122)
is a chalet built in the traditional, wood and stone style and is a
five minute walk from the center of town. The interior is of alpine
inspiration, with a large fireplace in the main lounge which is always
lit. The rooms are finished in wood and are very pleasant. The hotel
also has a swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and fitness club.
Shopping
The very central Via Roma, where all of the fancy shops of Courmayer are
located, is very fashionable; beginning with Guichardaz, which offers designer and sports wear from cashmere sweaters
to children's' clothing, and ending with the "4810" sports store
which offers made in Italy sportswear and technical
equipment for downhill, back-country and cross-country skiing.
Leisure time
The Caffè della Posta is the classic
meeting place. The pastries it serves for breakfast, in its
warm and comfortable lounges, are unforgettable. The Caffè delle
Guide (Viale Monte Bianco 2) is patronized by the young skiing instructors
at cocktail time. It's always a trendy place to go. The famous Mario pastry
shop (Via Roma 86) overflows with "Tegole" (a typical dry, chocolate
glazed almond pastry) the "Baci" of Courmayer (a chocolate filled
biscuit) and the real "Mont Blanc" (chestnut pudding topped with
whipped cream and chocolate shavings).
There are two discotheques in Courmayeur:
Abat Jour which plays 70s music and the more
up-to-date Le Clochard which also has a cosy tavern,
dug into the rock, for more intimate evenings.
  
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