La Thuile is located at 1.441 meters in the upper Aosta Valley, between the Alps of northwestern Italy and the French border. The town occupies a basin dominated by the Rutor Glacier; the stone and wood houses, with stone slab roofs, are clustered between the valley floor and the woods. Climbing the mountains opens up views of Mont Blanc, while below remain the villages and the ski slopes leading back to the town.
Its skiing fame is linked to the challenging descents on the Italian side, especially the black Franco Berthod. However, the mountain changes as you ascend: above the forest lie open slopes and pistes where you can spend a day at a different pace, all the way to the connection with La Rosière, in France. Those who choose La Thuile can either stay on the slopes near the town or spend several days exploring the Espace San Bernardo, the international ski area shared by the two resorts.
It's an interesting destination for a vacation that also offers plenty of mountain experiences without downhill skiing. Cross-country skiing starts on the plain near the town center, snowshoeing leads to small villages and scenic spots, and the town itself features a house museum, swimming pools, and places to relax after a day of snow. Families will find introductory ski areas and games; experienced skiers can deepen their knowledge of the slopes with the help of mountain guides.
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Skiing in La Thuile: from Les Suches to the long descents into town
The Les Suches gondola lift departs from the ski lift area and ascends to approximately 2.200 meters, on the plateau where the slopes, ski school, and refreshment points are located. The Bosco Express chairlift also ascends from the village, passing through the forest and arriving lower than the gondola lift. From these initial ascents, the route continues toward the Chaz Dura and Belvedere areas: the Chaz Dura Express chairlift reaches approximately 2.560 meters, while the Belvedere chairlift ascends to 2.610 meters.
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On the Italian side, there are 41 runs, divided into 12 blue, 20 red, and 9 black, and 18 lifts, including magic carpets for beginners. The lifts include a gondola lift, 11 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts, and 4 magic carpets. You can ski between more open high areas and descents that wind through the trees, choosing your difficulty based on the color of the runs. Its predominantly northerly exposure distinguishes La Thuile from the sunnier French side; on Franco Berthod, the snow can be particularly hard and compact.
The first curves, the children and the slopes to have fun on
Learning can begin in town, at the practice slopes near the ski lifts. Two magic carpets are free for beginners; the Edelweiss magic carpet and the Maison Blanche chairlift allow you to use a more extensive area without purchasing the entire ski area right away. There are passes dedicated to beginners: the Green Beginner includes these two lifts, while the Blue Beginner adds a round-trip cable car ride and the La Combe chairlift, at high altitude.
The La Thuile Ski School has a location at the base of the ski lifts and another in Les Suches. Individual and group lessons cover alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing, with the option to improve your skills in other disciplines. You can arrange the lesson location with the school, taking into account the lifts included in your ticket.
For children who already know how to ski, the Super Slope is a fun slope in Les Suches, on slope number 11. Banked turns, small jumps, and interactive games accompany the descent; access is included in the ski pass. The village also has an inflatable playground near the cable cars, open more often during Christmas and Carnival, and more often on weekends at other times.
Families with very young children may want to consider the Family Weekly Ski Pass: it allows both parents to alternate skiing using the same ticket, registered to both, according to the conditions provided for those with a child up to 3 years old.
The Franco Berthod and the San Bernardo
Black run number 3, dedicated to Franco Berthod, is the go-to for those who want to try the downhill run on which the World Cup athletes compete. The Grand Muret section has a maximum gradient of 76%; the entirely north-facing exposure and often compact surface require good technique. The race returned to La Thuile in 2025, following the 2016 and 2020 editions, but the run can also be explored outside of competitions, when it is open to the public.
Number 7, San Bernardo, offers a different experience: it's a red run that allows you to take a long descent towards La Thuile, with a total route of 11 kilometers and approximately 1.100 meters of altitude difference.
Artificial snow is available on numerous Italian slopes, including Franco Berthod, Diretta, Chaz Dura, and Gran Testa. It does not cover every slope: the availability of individual slopes and connections depends on seasonal conditions. For the 2026/27 winter season, La Thuile is scheduled to open from November 28th to April 11th.
Moving on to France, without losing sight of the return journey
The Espace San Bernardo boasts a total of 156 kilometers of slopes, 83 trails, and 37 lifts in Italy and France. La Rosière, the French ski resort in Savoy, expands the range with sunny slopes and the slopes of Mont Valaisan, which reach an altitude of 2.800 meters. Access to both sides is available with an international ski pass: a holiday in La Thuile can thus include days with different slopes and views, while maintaining the same base for your stay.
The crossing between the two countries depends on the opening of the connecting lifts, their schedules, and the weather. For 2026/27, the international connection is scheduled from December 12th to April 11th, so it does not coincide with the entire Italian opening period. Before heading to the French side, it's important to check the return time: the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass road is a summer access point and does not offer a quick return journey between the two stations in the winter.
Snowboarding and snowkiting
On the French side, in La Rosière, the Family Park served by the Poletta ski lift offers three courses of increasing difficulty: green with interactive elements, blue with bumps and turns, and red with rails and boxes. It replaced the former Snowpark de Poletta and is a great option for those who want to add freestyle to their descents, with a transfer with skis on and return to La Thuile before the ski lift closes.
From La Thuile, you can take the lifts to the snowkiting area at the Little St. Bernard Pass, on the French border, at approximately 2.188 meters. Here, you glide across the snow on skis or snowboards, towed by a sail. A school offers lessons; wind is an essential part of the activity, and the program and access must be agreed upon with the instructors. The dedicated ticket has its own terms and conditions and should not be confused with a ski pass that allows free use of all lifts.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing near the village
On the Arly plain, within walking distance of the town center, the Foyer de Fond is the base for three Nordic ski loops of 1, 3, and 7 kilometers. The shorter routes are easy, while the 7-kilometer one is of intermediate difficulty. Equipment rentals and instructors are available. The trails cross the open spaces of the valley floor and approach the forest, with the Rutor and Grand Assaly peaks above the valley.
For a change of scenery, there's also the Arpy cross-country ski center, below Colle San Carlo, with four trails of varying lengths among fir and larch trees. Arpy is a separate resort, accessible by road: its trails are not a continuation of the Arly loops.
A short snowshoe hike leads to Petosan, a small village above La Thuile. The loop begins on the Colle San Carlo road and extends for about 2 kilometers, with a 70-meter elevation gain and an approximate duration of one hour. Among larch trees and pastures, views open up of Mont Blanc, the Dent du Géant, and the Grandes Jorasses. It's also suitable for families and those with little experience, with the usual need to check snow conditions, equipment, and trail conditions.
Guides also organize excursions to explore La Thuile's mining past and evening snowshoe hikes with dinner at a mountain hut. These tours are tailored to participants' skill level and snow conditions, and are a great way to explore the mountain through its history.
Ski mountaineering and off-piste skiing
Those climbing with skins will find a marked route from Les Suches to the Col du Belvedere: it starts from the cable car arrival point, is 3,6 kilometers long, and climbs 382 meters. The route is part of a cross-border project, but the Italian route can be considered on its own; continuing into France requires the use of slopes and lifts, which require the correct pass and open connections.
For off-site ski mountaineering and freeriding, local guides offer trips and courses, choosing the route based on snow conditions and the group's ability. This is the part of the holiday that requires specific preparation: off-piste, there can be avalanche risks, rugged slopes, and difficulty navigating. Avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes, along with the ability to use them and read the conditions, are necessary, but they don't eliminate the risks. Hiring a guide is recommended, even for experienced skiers.
The country after the snow: chocolate, museums, and wellness
La Thuile retains the atmosphere of a small Alpine village, with traditional houses and services distributed throughout the various hamlets. After skiing, you can return to the center for a coffee, visit a shop, or stay for dinner. At the Chocolat pastry shop in Entrèves, the specialty is Tometta di La Thuile: a milk chocolate, gianduja, and hazelnut dessert shaped like a mountain cheese. The hot chocolate and artisanal pralines offer a refreshing change from the usual aperitif.
The Maison Musée Berton is a house-museum dedicated to the collections and culture of the Aosta Valley. The interiors preserve the appearance of the Berton brothers' home, featuring inlaid furniture, ceramics, prints, books, and artisanal objects. The two brothers, passionate about traditions and craftsmanship, had collected objects in their home to preserve and share; they later donated the house to the municipality to become a museum. The rooms maintain the owners' chosen combinations, with modern furnishings alongside antique pieces. The tour allows visitors to observe workmanship and household objects in a setting that retains the character of a home. To visit, please consult the museum calendar.
For children, the La Piramide play area, in the Konver facility in Arly, offers board games, table football, and indoor spaces.
The TH La Thuile–Planibel complex, adjacent to the ski lifts, combines a hotel and residences and offers family-friendly amenities, entertainment, and swimming pools. Those seeking more independent accommodations can choose apartments with kitchenettes. For a wellness break, the Planibel pool and the ERRE Spa pool at Montana Lodge & Spa also welcome external guests under their respective conditions; at Planibel, there's a shallow pool for children, while at Montana, the pool overlooks the mountains. At Planibel, the wellness program also includes a sauna, Turkish bath, salt room, and a herbal tea area. Those staying in apartments can therefore organize a pool break without necessarily choosing a hotel with its own spa, simply by checking access and booking in advance.
Eating at high altitude and having dinner in a mountain hut
In the Les Suches area, the TH 2200 ski bar is reached by cable car and offers a break with a view of the Rutor glacier. On the slopes, Lo Riondet is a chalet-restaurant with a strong focus on Aosta Valley cuisine: dishes include polenta with mountain cheeses, Fontina fondue, and meats served with polenta.
Lo Riondet also organizes evenings with dinner and round-trip transportation by snowcat from the village of Pont Serrand. The reservation includes a choice of menu, and the activity depends on the number of participants and access requirements. It's a way to spend an evening in the mountains even without skiing, with transportation arranged by the restaurant.
Airports and transfers to La Thuile
Turin Caselle, Geneva, and Milan Malpensa are among the main airports. From Turin and Milan, the car journey follows the Aosta Valley to the Morgex exit on the A5 motorway, then passes through Pré-Saint-Didier and back up to La Thuile. From Geneva, the route usually passes through Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Tunnel: when choosing a flight, check the schedule and any tunnel closures. The Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass is not accessible in winter.
For those not renting a car, airport transfers and taxis can be booked to your accommodation. Regular connections arrive from Aosta and Courmayeur; travel from the airport to one of these hubs and the last bus to La Thuile must be arranged separately. The Aosta Valley rail network is currently undergoing construction: before purchasing a train and bus itinerary, check the actual operating routes and alternative services, not including Pré-Saint-Didier as a train station that can be used to reach the town directly below.
1 Popular Comments
Fantastic location, a little cold but excellent powder snow, the off-piste descent of Chaz lasts a wall that never ends. We had lunch in the restaurant opposite Maison de Neige. Excellent service, they served us tables (which is rare on the slopes), tanning polenta and good beer. Then down runway n. 7 to the village.