Summer

At the foot of the highest mountain in Europe, the summer activities par excellence are trekking, climbing and all sorts of others connected with nature. The trails of the Valdigne have something to keep everyone happy: from families with children to expert hikers.

A large number of mountain huts are just a pleasant walk away, and the area also offers some spectacular lakes whose waters reflect all the majesty of the surrounding mountain peaks. Especially worth mentioning are the Tour du Mont-Blanc, the Alte Vie High Mountain Routes, the Mont Blanc Balconies, the pastures of the Chavanne Valley and the Rutor Glacier. A number of lift facilities will take you up to spots where you can enjoy both fabulous views and heated alpine pools.

The Valdigne is more than just a mountain lover's paradise, however, and also offers a host of other activities, such as golf, on the nine-hole course in the Val Ferret, the ziplines that run from tree to tree in the Adventure Park in Pré-Saint-Didier, rafting, canoe and riverboarding descents down the Dora Baltea, long, relaxing horse-riding trips, paragliding and hang-gliding and a wide range of mountain bike routes.

La Thuile in particular has a great deal to offer mountain bike fans: 16 cross-country trails between Italy and France totalling 220 km, and 15 downhill and freeriding routes served by two chairlifts equipped to transport bikes.

Winter

At Courmayeur, the slopes of the Chécrouit and the Val Veny are a downhill skier's dream, with 100 km of runs: from the highest point – the Arp crest, 2755m – you can go down to the 1224 metre altitude of the village of Dolonne, where you will find a fun park for beginners and children, while the “Espace San Bernardo” international ski area at La Thuile offers 150 km of slopes spread across both sides of the French border. The numerous runs for all levels and the modern lift facilities guarantee a truly unmissable experience.

Off-piste skiing fans will also be able to sweep through fantastic landscapes, such as the Toula descent amid granite rocks and seracs, or the Vallée Blanche descent that runs amid legendary peaks on to Chamonix. Also to be found here are heliskiing routes that run towards the Val Veny, as well as breathtaking descents from the Rutor or the Miravidi towards La Thuile, experiences that should be enjoyed in the company of ski instructors or alpine guides.

Cross-country skiing is the speciality of the alluring Val Ferret, which offers 20 km of trails with great snow from November right through to May. Other shorter – but no less spectacular – slopes can be found at La Thuile and Arpy. In addition to skiing, winter sports fans can enjoy numerous alternatives such as snow-shoe trips, ice skating or the thrill of trying to drive a sledge pulled by huskies. Fitness fans and those looking just to relax will find, respectively, the wonderfully equipped Forum Sport Center and the warm waters of the Pré-Saint-Didier spa.