Courmayeur is one of Italy’s most loved Alpine destinations: a capital of high-altitude skiing in winter and an ideal base for hiking, wellness and good food in summer. It is the last town before the French border, set in a basin at 1,224 metres dominated by the Mont Blanc massif. Choosing where to stay in Courmayeur mainly depends on the area, the season and the kind of holiday you have in mind. In this guide you’ll find the main areas, a selection of authentic small properties far from the big chains, and all the practical details on what to do, when to go and how to get there.
Where to stay in Courmayeur, area by area
Courmayeur is compact but has different characters: a lively centre, quiet hamlets at the base of the lifts, and side valleys immersed in nature. Understanding the differences between the areas is the first step to choosing well.
The centre and Via Roma
The pedestrian heart of town revolves around Via Roma, the street of shops and historic venues, a stone’s throw from the Maison des Guides and the best restaurants. It’s the perfect area if you want to experience Courmayeur on foot, with no parking worries, and return comfortably after dinner or a day on the slopes. This is where most of the small family-run hotels are concentrated: among the best rated are the Hotel Bouton d’Or and the Hotel des Glaciers, both centrally located. It’s the ideal choice for those who want maximum convenience and love having services and atmosphere within reach.
Dolonne, Entrèves and La Palud
The hamlets just outside the centre offer more peace and an Alpine-village feel while staying very close to the lifts. Dolonne, connected to the centre and served by the gondola up to the slopes, is a smart choice for families and skiers looking for quiet a few minutes from the services. Entrèves and La Palud, further north, are the departure point for the Skyway Monte Bianco and the natural gateway to Val Ferret: ideal for those who put hiking and the lifts first and want to wake up already “up high”.
Val Ferret and Val Veny
If you’re after nature and silence, the two side valleys are the most scenic choice. Val Ferret and Val Veny offer meadows, larch woods and spectacular views of the Italian side of Mont Blanc, with panoramic trails for all abilities and cross-country ski tracks in winter. Here you sleep surrounded by the mountains: a place like the Baita Meyen in Val Ferret is perfect for those who want to open the window onto the Grandes Jorasses. Keep in mind that in high season Val Ferret can be closed to traffic once the car parks are full, with a free shuttle service replacing car access.
Towards Pré-Saint-Didier, for wellness lovers
A few kilometres from Courmayeur, Pré-Saint-Didier is home to the famous thermal baths with outdoor pools facing Mont Blanc. Staying in this direction makes sense if wellness is the theme of your holiday: you still remain very close to Courmayeur, its lifts and the nearest railway station.
3 recommended small hotels in Courmayeur
A balanced selection, from high-end charm to family hospitality, to give an idea of the options without limiting yourself to the usual chains.
If you’d like to know how we choose the properties, we explain it on our about us page.
Auberge de La Maison
A charming hotel with a warm, carefully curated atmosphere, welcoming spaces and great attention to detail: ideal for those seeking high-level comfort while keeping the spirit of a personally run property, far from the impersonality of the chains.
Hotel Bouton d’Or
A small family-run hotel right in the centre, perfect for those who want to move on foot between shops, restaurants and lifts. One of the choices guests appreciate most for friendliness and strategic location.
Le Rêve
A B&B with character for those who prefer a cosier, more personal stay, with the warmth typical of small Aosta Valley properties. Ideal for couples and travellers seeking authenticity.
These are only some of the dozens of properties available: you can see all the small hotels in Courmayeur on the dedicated destination page, filtered by property type.
When to go to Courmayeur
Courmayeur is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on what you’re looking for.
Winter (December–April) is the ski season: slopes, lifts and the lively atmosphere of a town buzzing with visitors. It’s also the busiest period, especially over the holidays and long weekends, when it’s worth booking accommodation well in advance.
Summer (June–September) is ideal for hiking, trekking and for riding the Skyway without the queues of peak winter. The side valleys burst with green and the trails are accessible to families too. It’s the perfect time for those who love the mountains without snow.
Shoulder season (May and October–November) is the quietest: fewer people, often softer prices and the chance to combine spa relaxation with scenic walks. Some lifts and refuges are closed, though, so it’s worth checking opening dates before you leave.
Skiing in Courmayeur
The Courmayeur Mont Blanc ski area has 33 runs for around 100 km of skiable slopes, spread between Val Veny and the Plan Chécrouit plateau up to the Cresta d’Arp at 2,755 metres. It isn’t as vast as La Thuile or Monterosa Ski, but it offers the priceless feeling of skiing facing Mont Blanc, with freeride routes and cross-country trails in Val Ferret. Artificial snowmaking covers over 80% of the area, ensuring quality slopes until the end of the season.
The 2025-2026 winter season runs from 29 November 2025 to 19 April 2026. The adult day ski pass ranges from around €63 in regular season to around €69 in peak season (the busiest periods around Christmas-New Year and from late January to early March). It’s always best to check up-to-date dates and prices on the ski area’s official website before you go.
If you’re torn between the region’s two big-name ski resorts, our comparison Courmayeur or Cervinia can help, or read the guide on where to stay in Cervinia.
What to do in Courmayeur
Skyway Monte Bianco
The 360° rotating cable car climbs from Pontal d’Entrèves (1,300 m) to Punta Helbronner (3,466 m), with the intermediate station of Pavillon du Mont Fréty (2,173 m). At Pavillon you’ll find the Saussurea alpine botanical garden, the Mont Blanc Infinity Room and panoramic restaurants. The ticket starts from around €61, and times and rates vary by season: it’s best to book online during busier periods and always check the official website.
If you’d like to sleep near the cable car’s departure, see our guide on where to stay near the Skyway Monte Bianco.
Pré-Saint-Didier thermal baths
About 4 km from the centre, the QC thermal baths of Pré-Saint-Didier are among the most scenic in Italy, with panoramic outdoor pools, saunas and over forty wellness experiences in a nineteenth-century building once frequented by the House of Savoy. They are open every day and prices start from around €54, with rates varying by time slot and season: it’s best to book in advance, especially at weekends. They are the perfect complement to a day on the snow or the trails.
Val Ferret and the Bonatti Refuge
One of the most popular hikes is the one to the Bonatti Refuge (2,025 m), a stage on the Tour du Mont-Blanc and the Alta Via no.1. The route from Val Ferret is scenic and suitable for families too, with about an hour and a half of uphill walking through larch woods and pastures; the refuge is generally open from mid-May to mid-October. A perfect way to enjoy the Italian side of Mont Blanc without any technical difficulty.
The historic centre and Aosta Valley flavours
A stroll along Via Roma, a visit to the Maison des Guides to discover the history of mountaineering, and a food stop with fontina, jambon de Bosses DOP, mountain tome cheeses and genepì round off the experience. For those travelling with children, the Bollino Park in the centre of town offers play areas and walks with a view of Mont Blanc.
How to get to Courmayeur
By car is the most practical option: take the A5 Turin-Aosta motorway to the Courmayeur exit. From Turin it’s about an hour and a half, from Milan about two and a half hours (A4 to Santhià, then A5). From France you arrive via the Mont Blanc Tunnel, from Switzerland via the Great St Bernard. In winter, snow chains on board or winter tyres are mandatory. Car parks in town are paid (Piazzale Monte Bianco offers the first hour free).
By train Courmayeur has no station of its own: the nearest is Pré-Saint-Didier, a few kilometres away, connected to town by local buses. From Italy you travel on the line to Aosta and continue by bus.
By air the most convenient airports are Turin Caselle (about 150 km), Milan Malpensa (about 212 km) and Geneva (about 106 km). Aosta airport is currently closed for works. Long-distance buses also run from the main northern Italian airports and cities, more frequent during the ski season.
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Car | A5 Turin-Aosta, Courmayeur exit · from Turin ~1h30, from Milan ~2h30 |
| Train | Pré-Saint-Didier station + local bus to Courmayeur |
| Air | Geneva ~106 km · Turin Caselle ~150 km · Milan Malpensa ~212 km |
| Bus | Connections from Turin, Milan (high season) and Geneva (winter) |
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best area to stay in Courmayeur?
It depends on the kind of stay: the centre around Via Roma is ideal for getting around on foot between shops and restaurants; Dolonne, Entrèves and La Palud are perfect for those focused on the Skyway, lifts and Val Ferret; the side valleys (Val Ferret and Val Veny) are the quietest, most nature-immersed choice.
How much is a ski pass in Courmayeur?
For the 2025-2026 season the adult day pass ranges from around €63 in regular season up to around €69 in peak season. The ski area is open from 29 November 2025 to 19 April 2026. It’s best to check up-to-date dates and prices on the official website.
How much does the Skyway Monte Bianco cost?
The ticket starts from around €61, but times and rates vary depending on the season and availability. It’s best to book online during busy periods and always check the latest conditions on the lift’s official website.
Are the Pré-Saint-Didier thermal baths near Courmayeur?
Yes, they are about 4 km from the centre of Courmayeur. They are open every day, with entry from around €54 and prices that vary by time slot and season. Booking is recommended, especially at weekends and in high season.
How do you get to Courmayeur without a car?
By train you reach Pré-Saint-Didier station, connected to Courmayeur by local buses. Alternatively there are long-distance buses from Turin, Milan and Geneva, more frequent in the ski season. The most convenient airports are Geneva, Turin Caselle and Milan Malpensa.
Can you reach the Bonatti Refuge with children?
Yes. The trail from Val Ferret is scenic and accessible to families too, with about an hour and a half of uphill walking up to the refuge at 2,025 metres, generally open from mid-May to mid-October.
