SKI ITALY - Pila

The Region

Pila is an all-round ski resort with everything needed to enjoy your tour within easy reach. In addition to offering you a sweeping view of the Alps from Mont Blanc to the Grand Combin, and from the Matterhorn to Monte Rosa. Pila is where you never need to trudge around with your skis on your shoulders, thanks to our slope side accommodation. Area development is constant in Pila, with the Gorraz ski run (also known as the "Fagiani" run") being recently redesigned into a sunstantially new run. It's minimum width is never less than 40m throughout the entire route, which descends for a total of 460m and is complete with snowmaking equipment. Finally to increase the thrills of the Pila Snowpark, which has already become famous among youn surfers, the half pipe has been lengthened from 80 to 100 metres, still using fixed structures modelled into the landscape. Visitors cannot fail to be impressed by the stunning mountain scenery that greets them from their bedroom window. Like its partner (Monterosa) across the valley, Pila is genuinely one of the most spectacular ski areas in Europe. The doorstep loaction and compact challenging skiing will have you coming back year after year.

The Skiing

Doorstep skiing with snow guaranteed is what Pila has to offer. With constant development the resort skis much longer than the 70km of piste suggest. From the hotel the ski area is accessed by one of two lifts - one for beginners and one (the Chamole chair) for the intermediate and advanced skiers. The ski school will meet the group at the hotel each morning. The beginners will have fun on the long Chatelaine and Grimod runs before progressing onto the more challenging runs of La Nouva and Pre' Noir. The excellent, friendly local ski school will ensure that the pupils cover as much of the resort as possible. Intermediate skiers can cruise the well maintained piste, most with stunning views across the valleys. The excellent Couis 2, Grimondet, Lo Tzan and Lo Goil offering some of the best tree lined and open skiing in the Aosta valley. For the more advanced the challenge of the Couis 1 and Tsa Creuisa awaits. Snowboarders and free skiers have their own terrain park and half pipe, but will find the slopes offering great off piste riding.

Accommodation

We have two great hotels on offer in Pila. The Hotel Chalet des Alpes is a top quality 3 star hotel on the piste in Pila. Davide, the owner will make very effort to ensure a warm friendly welcome for all guests. The hotel is located beside the "Baby" beginners lift and offers a good standard of accommodation.

Bedrooms: Rooms for 2 to 4 people have private facilities and satellite TV.

Faclities: TV/meeting room, spacious bar and large lounge/dining room serving buffet breakfast, hot lunch and three course evening meal.

Capacity: Approx 70

Only a short transfer to the town of Aosta for shopping and evening entertainment the hotel is a perfect location for groups that like to ski from the door.

The Holiday Inn Express is a modern hotel with all the facilities you would expect from the Holiday Inn chain. Situated on the edge of town, a short drive from the gondola, in a modern, new mall with several shops, a bank, a post office and a big Carrefour supermarket close by. Rooms are beautifully decorated (the hotel was newly built for winter 2002/2003) and are very spacious.

Bedrooms: Mainly rooms for 3 to 4 people, with twin rooms for staff. All rooms have private facilities, telephone, air conditioning and satellite TV.

Facilties: Self service restaurant on the first floor, as well as a bar with its own lounge and a large TV screen. There are also three large meeting rooms.

Apres Ski

The town of Aosta offers all the amenities you would expect from ski resort but delivers them in a charimatic package. The walled town steeped in history and the architecture of the town is a pleasure to behold and creates a relaxed chic ambience. The pedestrianised, granite-cobbled town square is the starting point to explore the town., On offer is the usual selection of disco's. karaoke, bowling, swimming, ice skating, shopping (Nike factory shop!), pizza and ice cream nights.