La Thuile Reviews

• Overall Rating 4
• Family Friendly 4
• Downhill Terrain 4
• Terrain Park
• Nightlife 2

Pros: Good off-piste skiing

Cons: Variable snow conditions

Recommended Skill Level: Intermediate
Recommended For: Families
Date Visited: Mar, 2009

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Full review

In general this is a good intermediate level ski resort that connects to La Rosiere on the French side. Many Val d'Aosta residents regard La Thule as the best skiing in the region. Snow on the Italian side tends to be drier than La Rosiere which faces the afternoon sun however there has been less snow over the past 20 years. The 2009 winter season however was exceptional. There are some dramatic and scenic views of Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) and on a clear day the Matterhorn and the great alpine ridge on the Swiss Italian border stands out on the skyline. By far La Thuile's best asset is the off piste skiing. The area is one of the few ski resorts with heli skiing services (France has banned heli skiing). Heli skiing is affordable and easily accessible offering a range of excellent skiing opportunities. A trip to the Rutor glacier offers a great wild alpine run into France and the guide can arrange a pickup and lunch in a small French village before being shuttled to La Rosiere for a return ski run into La Thuile. Another great heli run is up to the Miri Vidi that starts over a wide open snow field leading eventually into a couple steep and narrow gorges where the helicopter picks you up for return flight. The best thing to do is hire a guide normally available at the gondola base area and you can determine if heli skiing or back country skiing is your thing. There are some fantastic steep off piste runs accessible from the top of the lifts that your guide can take you. Make sure you hire a licensed guide from the La Thuile Alpine Guides Association. Overall if you stick to the trails then good intermediate skills are required but only advanced skiers should consider the off piste stuff. When I go to La Thuile I go for the off-piste skiing.