Summer

Whether you choose the Ayas Valley or the Gressoney Valley for your summer holidays, your gaze will continually be drawn to the mountains set against the skyline.

It is not in fact all that difficult to reach some of the peaks: ascents such as those up to the Castore, the Pyramide Vincent or Punta Gnifetti present no particular technical difficulties, and the alpine guides will be happy to help you make a successful trip you will remember forever.

There are also plenty of opportunities lower down, however, with splendid walks to the numerous lakes, beautiful mountain passes and the waterfalls of Niel, Loo or Isollaz.

Some lovely routes suitable for all are those that run along the Ru Courtaud, Ru d'Arlaz and Ru Herbal, irrigation channels dating back to the Middle Ages, which can be tackled either on foot or by mountain bike.

In both valleys, there are also a large number of routes that lead towards the Walser settlements: some of the finest in the Ayas Valley include the villages of Mascognaz, France, Le Crest, Soussun, Résy and Cunéaz, while in the Gressoney Valley you can explore Alpenzu Grande or the Valley of San Grato, at Issime, dotted throughout with typical dwellings, each one more enchanting than the next.

A wonderful trekking trail is the Grande Sentiero Walser, which runs along the route followed by the Germanic peoples during their migrations.

Those who enjoy activities other than skiing and walking will also be spoilt for choice: from the golf practice range at Périasc and the nine-hole course at Gressoney to angling in the hydroelectric reservoir of Brusson and the numerous alpine lakes, the adventure park of Champoluc, from climbing on the equipped rock walls of Extrepieraz to the vie ferrate of Gressoney-La-Trinité and Gressoney-Saint-Jean and the downhill mountain bike route from Punta Jolanda to Gressoney-La-Trinité.

Winter

Which area should you choose for a great day's skiing, the Ayas Valley or the Gressoney Valley? Easy: both!

The Monterosa SkiArea links not only Ayas and Gressoney, but also Alagna in the Valsesia, offering a total of 180 km of runs, almost all of which are served by artificial snow cannons and are suitable for all abilities, with even a few spectacular off-piste routes.

Snowboarders will also find areas equipped to suit them, and there are plenty of facilities for children in the baby snow parks. Smaller, less busy ski areas can be found at Antagnod and Estoul in the Ayas Valley, while in the Gressoney Valley visitors will also find the Weissmatten lifts, in the municipality of Gressoney-Saint-Jean, where there is a slope that in 2009 was voted the finest run in Italy and is named in memory of the tragic young skier Leonardo David.

Cross-country skiers are also catered for in the two valleys: the Val d'Ayas offers a number of circular trails around Champoluc, Périasc and Barmasc, as well as longer, more challenging trails at Brusson, where World Cup cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions are often held; while in the Gressoney Valley you will find the rings of Gressoney-La-Trinité or Gressoney-Saint-Jean, where the Monterosalauf long-distance challenge is held in January.

At the end of the winter, every odd year, a spectacular ski mountaineering competition, the Mezzalama Trophy, takes athletes from Cervinia to Gressoney, along a route with an altitude in excess of 4000 metres.

In addition, both valleys offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy trips on snow-shoes and ice climbing, and other “must-try” activities in the area include off-piste skiing, ski mountaineering and heliskiing.