(1175m - 2610m)
La Thuile is a small village with a decent sized skiing area with the added benefit of a link at altitude to the neighbouring resort of La Rosiere in France. La Thuile is a confidence building resort which timid intermediates or those of a more cautious disposition will love. Those who are looking for more demanding terrain have several black runs to try and of course La Rosiere where the skiing is genuinely more challenging.
Great for…
Snow sure- Beginners
- Intermediates
Snow sure
Beginners
IntermediatesResort at a glance
| ★★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★ | Off-Piste |
| ★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★ | Extent |
| ★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★ | Non-Skiers |
| Ski Lifts | 38 area |
| Resort Altitude | 1441m |
| Pistes | 160kms area |
| Ski Range | 1175m – 2610m |
| Green Runs | – |
| Blue Runs | 34 area |
| Red Runs | 32 area |
| Black Runs | 14 area |
| Local Lift Pass | – |
| Area Lift Pass | Off peak €160, peak €199 |
| Transfer Time | Turin 2hrs, Geneva 2hrs |
| Transfer Day | Saturday and Sunday |
| Tourist Board | Website |
| Weather | Snow Report |
| Webcam | Webcam |
| Piste Map | Piste Map |
The Slopes
From the village of La Thuile a gondola or chairlift takes you to the main Les Suches region. The terrain here is dominated by gentle blue runs which are ideal to warm up on. Those who enjoy long cruisey blues will love this area, which despite being the main area remains relatively quiet. Beginners from the nursery slopes in the village should make this area their next port of call.
Head further up the mountain to Chaz Dura and there a number of red runs. These runs are quite short and would definitely be classified as blue in other resorts. However they are wide and well groomed and are ideally suited to those intermediates who are looking to progress. These red runs then join the blue runs lower down at Les Suches making a decent amount of skiing possible.
At the top of the mountain there are a number of red runs on the back side of the mountain between Col de Fourclaz and Belvedere. These red runs are more challenging than those on the frontside of the mountain and are often much quieter to.
From the top of the mountain several very long reds skirt either side of the main skiing area and lead back down to the village. For those wanting a more direct route back down to the village there are some seriously steep black runs from Les Suches. However these runs back to the village may not always be open or accessible if snow is scarce.
Apres-Ski
La Thuile is a quiet resort with a selection of friendly, low key bars and isn’t really known for its nightlife. Most bars are within the hotels but there are also a few scattered in the town too.
Make sure you try out Bar La Buvette at the bottom of the gondola and La Bricolette for its tasty wines and cocktails, or cosy Italian Bar Berthod.
For something a bit livelier then there is La Cage Aux Folles which and also shows sporting events, it also has good music, and a wide range of beers and wines. Then there is the Fantasia nightclub at the Planibel complex if you fancy a boogie.
For something far more sedate then there is Chocolat - a wonderful cafe serving all things chocolate related from fondue, cakes, to hot chocolate and ice cream, yum!
Eating Out
La Thuile has a good variety of different eating out options serving everything from pizza and pasta to more tradition Italian specialities, Aostan Valley favourites, fondues and raclettes.
Of course pizzas and pasta are widely available here, along with the famous fondue and raclette - make sure you try Taverna Coppapan, La Grotta and of course the extra special La Fordze to sample the best. La Lisse is also worth a visit, as is La Bricole and La Raclette too.
More regional specialities can be found at La Lune, Brasserie du Bathieu and La Rascard with plenty of grilled meats and pastas. La Rascard also offers a range of different pizza dishes cooked in its wooden stove including a chocolate pizza and then there is the Pepita Cafe offering something a bit different too - Tex Mex.
Other Activities
Although La Thuile is a fairly quiet resort, it does have a good variety of different options to keep you amused off the slopes.
There is of course the traditional dog sledding, ice skating and climbing, snow shoeing, tobogganing, heli skiing and also snow tubing.
The Planibel Complex has a fitness centre, gym, swimming pools, sauna and steam room - all open to the public rather than just its residents. The Hotel Miramonti also has a pool and spa facilities too. Then there are the thermal spa baths in neighbouring Pré Saint Didier which really are worth a visit - there is a great range of indoor and outdoor pools to be sampled, various massage treatments, saunas and Turkish baths - you can even see Mont Blanc from here too.
There are a few interesting shops in La Thuile and you can pick up many local meats, cheeses and wine, but if you are looking for something more extensive then your best bet is to take a bus to Courmayeur which is only 15km away and offers far more shopping options. You can also take a trip to the Roman city of Aosta to admire its Roman walls, Cathedral and Gothic church.
Ski School
The main ski school here is the La Thuile Ski School - it offers skiing and snowboarding tuition to all ages and abilities, group lessons are for 5 days and generally held in the mornings to give you the afternoon to practice, they start from €155 and start on Mondays, but do make sure you request an English speaking instructor when booking.
Where to stay in La Thuile, Italy
Hotel Planibel
A great ski in / ski out hotel next to the lifts and in the midst of the bars, shops and restaurants, there is a large indoor pool, sauna and steam room and a fantastic restaurant and piano bar.
Hotel Miramonti
Situated in the centre of the pretty old town this charming hotel has a great mix of traditional and modern touches, a 5 – 10 minute walk from the lifts, there is also a luxury spa with pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
Hotel Du Glacier
Located in the old quarter of Petite Golette, this cosy friendly family-run traditional hotel is just a 5 minute walk from the resort centre and lifts giving easy access to the slopes.
Nira Montana
This stunning family friendly 5 star hotel is located on the edge of the resort and offers delicious Italian cuisine, family suites and a kids club, the spa has a pool, jacuzzi and sauna too.
Hotel Chalet Eden
This lovely unique hotel is beautifully decorated and is only 200m from the cable car so you can get up to the slopes in no time, it has its own restaurant on site serving up delicious cuisine.