Spas, lifts to what some call the eighth wonder of the world, food, skiing, shopping, grappa tasting, and more. These are just some of the best things to do in Courmayeur in winter (aside from ski).
Now I know that you’ll spend the majority of your time on the slopes, but lets be honest. After day 2 or 3 of skiing for 8-9 hours non-stop, your body starts to feel the pain. So you decide to break up the holiday by choosing a resort that has more than just skiing to offer. Courmayeur offers just that. Among the list of things to do in Courmayeur we have being whisked to a chalet for dinner via snowmobile where you will dine and dance until midnight, taking a lift up to the eighth wonder of the world, basking and relaxing in the warm waters of Italy’s thermal baths, and more. Don’t miss out on these 10 things to do in Courmayeur in winter (aside from ski).
1. Caffes
Breakfast in Courmayeur: SVADORE’s Review of 3 Caffes
As a breakfast afficionado, I was on a quest to find the best coffee and brioche, or cornetto, in Courmayeur. After 4 days in the area, it’s official, I’ve found the best breakfast in Courmayeur. Of all the things to do in Courmayeur, breakfast is one of my favorites. Here’s my review on three caffes in Courmayeur, from famous caffes to lesser known gems.
2. Aperitivo
6 Courmayeur Best Bars for Aperitivo and Après-ski
Via Roma is known for it’s ritzy stores and old charm vibe, and of course aperitivo. Here are 6 Courmayeur best bars for aperitivo and après-ski. The range of bars and cafes include outdoor seating with space heaters, fancy food offerings, an all you can eat buffet, seating next to one of the first and oldest lifts in Monte Bianco and more.
3. Wander outside the center of Courmayeur
Now this may seem a bit different then your usual list of things to do in Courmayeur, but I feel like people always forget to explore further. The center of Courmayeur is charming. It’s full of life and things to do from eating to shopping and more. But if you’re looking for a more old time feel and true look at where the locals live, walk towards the direction of Entrève. Our bed and breakfast was in this area during our stay and was a lovely sneak peak into the quainter more quiet side of Courmayeur. I’m talking quiet cobblestone alleys, stone houses, narrow alleys, and wooden balconies overlooking the alps.
4. Skyway Monte Bianco
Skyway Monte Bianco is what some call the eighth wonder of the world. A sight like this of Mont Blanc and its neighboring alps cannot be described or captured in pictures. Above it all, it feels like you are walking on an entirely separate planet. Skyway Monte Bianco opened in 2015 is the world’s most expensive cable car linking Courmayeur to Pointe Helbronner. But it’s not just any ordinary ski lift…there are plenty of cool stops along the way you’ll want to experience. You can visit the highest library in Europe, LaFeltrinelli Book shop, which opened at Punta Helbronner, stop by any of the 3 Skyway Monte Bianco Stations for a luxurious Alpine meal that will elevate your senses (pun intended!), wander through the Saussurea Alpine Botanical Gardens, one of the world’s highest natural gardens, toast to your experience with a glass of wine at the Cave Mont Blanc, the high-altitude experimental cellar, and more.
Fun fact: Kingsman the Golden Circle was filmed at the top of the Skyway Monte Bianco!
The price for these tickets doesn’t come cheap at 52€ each. I recommend you 1) schedule/book your time slot in advance (they sell out fast and Pat and I were unlucky and weren’t able to secure a time slot during our time there) 2) buy it together with your ski pass since they give you a price reduction. Of all the things to do in Courmayeur, if you have to choose one, make it this one.
5. Restaurants
Where to Eat in Courmayeur (On and Off Piste)
Being a renowned foodie area, it is extremely important to have an idea of where to eat in Courmayeur both on and off piste before you get there. Here are 4 must-eat restaurants when in Courmayeur that you can’t miss: Pizzeria Du Tunnel, Ristorante Chiecco, Fuori Pista, and Ristorante Pizzeria La Terrazza.
6. Ski
Ski Courmayeur, Italy: A Resort Guide For All Levels
Courmayeur is where you can ski leisurely on some easier slopes, take on some harder less frequented slopes, or find a resort with a perfect balance of on-piste and off-piste activities, with a fine dining and culinary scene. With not a lot of information online, I decided to create the ultimate resort guide for all levels so you could get an idea of what to expect when booking a trip to ski in Courmayeur, Italy, Mont Blanc. From the best time to ski, ski etiquette, ski passes, where to rent skis, the cool activations, and what to expect on the blue, red, and black slopes.
7. Shop
Hit the slopes, then hit the shops on the main street, Via Roma. To be honest, yes, Courmayeur is ritzy with it’s ’70s style buildings lining the main street, but ritzy is not always a bad thing. Ritzy also means the town is extremely well maintained. Of course, that means shopping here is definitely at the top of many people’s lists. There’s no shortage of Mont Blanc, The North Face, Gucci, Hermès, Balenciaga, Aspesi, Rolex etc. But if you know me, my favorite type of shopping in these areas is a bit more localized.
Some of my favorite stores included buying a bottle of grappa a i mertilli, or blueberry grappa, from Enoteca Goio founded in 1896. We enjoyed a complimentary grappa tasting prior to purchase, offered to us by owner Claudio. They make the grappa themselves on their land nearby in Courmayeur.
Right next to the liquor store was the local Libreria della Stampa, another staple bookstore in Courmayeur since 1990. What makes this bookstore unique is that it specializes in mountain books with a wide selection of books regarding maps, mountain topography, the art of living in the Aosta valley, traditions, and more. If you want to spend a few hours familiarizing yourself with the region and turning yourself into somewhat of a local, this is the place to be.
8. Visit Entrèves
When booking my place to stay in Courmayeur, I was highly debated about whether to stay in town or in the neighboring town of Entrèves. Entrèves cost half the price, was just as cute, and had a lift that took you directly up to Courmayeur mountain. Although I ended up staying in Courmayeur, a stop by Entrèves is definitely worth it during your stay for a nice change up. Entrèves literally means between the streams and is a small, quiet town rich in old stone houses and farm buildings surrounded by pastureland. Entrèves has some amazing restaurants and hotels that make it worth the getaway from Courmayeur for an evening or as your official ground base during your skiing trip.
9. Eat dinner on the mountain
One of the best and most unique things about Courmayeur is that you can enjoy dinner on the slopes till midnight. Some chalets offer transportation in different and fun forms to their chalet, whether it’s by dog sled, snowmobile, or other means, they’ll escort you with class from Plan Checrouit to their chalet where a hearty dinner and wine awaits. You’ll need to plan this type of escort way in advance and call the restaurants to confirm details, although almost all of them offer this experience. Some even offer the added experience of skiing back down the mountain with an instructor at night (for those who dare!). If you can make it up to Courmayeur mountain for dinner though, do it. It’ll cost you an arm and a leg, but the dinners and parties up there are wild and to die for!
10. QC Terme Pré Saint Didier
Us northerners in Italy live by the health benefits of the thermal baths that come from the nature surrounding us. We use them to cure any and all of our ailments, and it works. Don’t skip out on QC Terme Pré Saint Didier next to Courmayeur. After a few days skiing, you’ll be in need of a wellness resort and thermal bath to help your muscles relax. The thermal baths hot waters are said to stimulate blood circulation and improve muscle movement. Plus, who doesn’t want to bask in the beauty of the snow capped alps outdoors in a large hot thermal bath am I right?
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