Skiing

Funivie Courmayeur/Mont Blanc. Courmayeur pales in comparison to its French neighbor, Chamonix, in both the quality and the number of its ski runs. But with good natural snow cover, the trails and vistas are spectacular. A huge gondola leads from the center of Courmayeur to Plan Chécrouit, where other gondolas and lifts lead to the slopes. The skiing around Monte Bianco is particularly good, and the off-piste options are among the best in Europe. The routes from Cresta d'Arp (the local peak) to Dolonne, and from La Palud into France, should be done with a guide. Contact the Courmayeur tourist office for complete information about lift tickets, ski runs, and weather conditions. Strada Dolonne La Villette 1, Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, 11013. 0165/846658; www.lovevda.it.

Società delle Guide Alpine. The society provides Alpine guide services year-round. Strada Villair 2, Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, 11013. 0165/842064; www.guidecourmayeur.com.