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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1624m
Families:		[No]
Glacier:		[Yes]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[4]
Advanced:		[4]
Snowboarding:		[2]

Gressoney is a well located ski area set in the spectacular Alpine scenery of the Monte Rosa region of north west Italy. The Gressoney name covers the whole valley, some 12km (seven-and-a-half miles) long, which is the central one of three lift-linked valleys, thus the area is sometimes called "Italy's Three Valleys".

Although it is not on the scale of the famous French Three Valleys, it is a big area with nearly 200km (125 miles) of piste spread across varied terrain. It extends up to Western Europe's second highest peak, Monte Rosa, opening up one of the world's largest lift-served skiable verticals above neighbouring Alagna. Gressoney itself has descents nearing the world's biggest, with vertical descents approaching 2000 metres possible.

The Gressoney Valley contains several different village bases and it is worthwhile checking which one accommodation offered is in and how that location relates to the ski lift network. Gressoney La Trintie at 1637m is the highest of the main villages and connected to Alagna.

However Stadfal at the top of the Valley is connected by cable car to Champoluc in the third valley in the other direction, as well as by gondola to Alagna also. The largest village in the area is Gressoney St Jean which is lower down at 1387m. It is not directly connected to the main ski areas, although it does have a small ski area of its own.

The villages are all quite attractive in themselves, most with a traditional Italian stone and wood chalet style design of building, and endeavour to keep alive the ancient regional Walser cultural traditions, which originated in the area in the thirteenth century. The ancient language and customs are maintained by local associations and reflected in museums and cultural events.

Beginners

There are nursery slopes dotted around the valley, although the most convenient are at resort level in Gressoney St. Jean. Those staying in Gressoney La Trinite and Stafal are more likely to take the chairlift or gondolas up to altitude nursery slopes at Gabiet or Punta Jolanda.

The only problem there is that the runs back down to resort are quite steep for beginners (graded red) so it is likely you will need to get the lift back down for most of your first week. Indeed there are not many blue runs locally to progress on to. Ski School operates mornings from Monday to Friday.

Intermediates

In terms of on-piste terrain, intermediates will enjoy Monte Rosa the most, with more than 40 red (intermediate) graded runs to choose from covering about three quarters of the groomed trails. Lifts up to Passo Salati open up huge vertical descents either back to Gressoney or down to the classic resort of Alagna on one side and to Colle Bettaforca on the other, accessing the Ayas valley above Champoluc and Antagnod.

The skiing is varied, above and below the treeline and always with wonderful scenery all around. For a change, the small local area at Gressoney St. Jean, separate from the rest of the circuit, can provide a day's entertainment.

Advanced

The Monte Rosa region is firmly on the "must ski" list for advanced skiers because of its big verticals and spectacular off piste descents. The only point that needs to be clear is that the challenges do mostly lie off the beaten piste - there are eight black runs dotted around, but they only offer about nine kilometres (six miles) of groomed black descents between them, including the Leonardo David slope, valid for the alpine ski world cup.

However the area is most famous for its freeriding, not its groomed steeps. It is therefore well worth signing up for a guided tour or for ski touring expeditions. The area pass covers the entire Monte Rosa area but also other resorts in the Aosta Valley including Pila and la Thuile, from where you can ski over the border to La Rosiere in France.

Excursions to the Vallee Blanche, the world's longest off piste descent above Chamonix and Courmayeur are offered. Heliskiing is also popular, with descents including a route from Zermatt in Switzerland down to Champoluc.

Snowboarding

There are no terrain parks in the area and the main attraction, as for better skiers, is the extensive freeriding terrain. Heli-boarding is an option the well-heeled and technically able will wish to take advantage of from the resort.

Other Activities and Facilities

Most of the rather limited range of activities beyond downhill skiing and boarding in the valley are outdoor-based and include paragliding, sliding around on all terrain vehicles (ATV) or quad biking on an ice circuit. And there are 30km of cross-country skiing, and snow shoeing.

Gressoney-St-Jean has the widest selection of shops and a weekly market. It is also home to the valley's public swimming pool and a natural ice rink.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Après ski is informal throughout the Gressoney valley and centred on local hotel bars, restaurants and cafés. Gressoney St. Jean has the widest selection of evening eateries with about 30 to choose from. In Gressoney La Trinite there are about half that number.

In either case the food choices are predominantly local dishes from the region and standard Italian pasta and pizza. In La Trinite the Hirsch Stube is one of the best bars. At the base of the lifts in Stafal visit the Kramenthal for good local specialities.

Families

There is not a great deal especially designed for children in the Gressoney valley, although the area's strong community values, friendly people and establishments and beautiful setting all make it a pleasant place for a family ski trip.

The local Monte Rosa ski school accepts children for regular lessons for two-and-a-half hours on five days in the week, from age four. The school has some English speaking staff. There is no nursery provision for younger children and, depending on the number and age mix of participants, even the youngest children may be out in mixed-groups with adults. Snowboarding lessons are available from age ten.

Piste Map for Gressoney

Accommodation in Gressoney

• Ellex - 3 star, half board
• Ellex - 3 star, half board
• Fiocco Dineve - 3 star, self catering
• Hotel Residence - 3 star, half board
• Jolanda Sport - 4 star, half board
• Lo Scoiattolo - 3 star, half board

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