Pila has a great high-altitude ski area that’s accessible from the ancient town of Aosta via a gondola lift, or you can of course stay on the mountain at the 1800m high resort base and use the gondola in the other direction to visit the old Roman town.

The ski area itself has a big vertical high, superb snow-making and slopes up to 2700m, which combined make it one of the most snowsure destinations in the Alps. 

Those who love skiing in the trees will love the wooded runs here, while higher up there are fantastic open areas where the powder lies. Although relatively small, Pila has a reputation for lively après-ski – and if that’s not enough to keep you entertained off the slopes, you can head to Aosta town for a stroll amongst ancient monuments, good shopping and great dining.

There are 70km of pistes located between 1765-2700m with magnificent views encompassing Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn from the slopes.

Most runs are red, many of them tree-lined, making it the ideal ski area for intermediates. But the mountain also suits beginners and for experts there’s some good terrain, despite limited off-piste. Heliskiing is also an option and there’s a very good terrain park.

Pila has made improvements to its slopes in the summer, ahead of the snow arriving. This year the focus has particularly been on refurbishing and widen piste number 16, the extending the snow-making coverage to connecting slopes 15-14. The AreaEffe Snowpark was also extended.

Work is due to begin on a major lift upgrade with Pila’s signature cable car set to be upgraded. Work, commencing next spring 2023, will make the lift much more user friendly and improve access to one of the most iconic viewpoints of the Aosta Valley, Cima Couis 1, at 2730 a.s.l, particularly for non-skiers.  From here it is possible to admire the peaks of some of the most famous mountains in the world such as Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Grivola, Gran Paradiso amongst others. 

This winter there are special lower ticket price rates in certain low periods to those who decide to purchase day and multi-day tickets on the pila.it website. The ski pass collection points have been increased next to the cash desks in Aosta, at the departure of the cable car, for those who decide to buy online and who do not have a magnetic card.

Pila is fairly small, family-friendly and car-free but has a surprisingly lively après-ski scene, particularly at weekends when visitors from Milan and Turin arrive.

PILA

Main Image © Pietro Celesia

 

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