Travel Eye on La Thuile (Italy)

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Overview:

La Thuile is found on the Italian/French border, with summer roads linking it to La Rosière in France. This is the home of the St Bernard dogs, named after the pass over the border. It's at the top of the Aosta Valley, where weather conditions can be variable, with high winds particularly problematic.

La Thuile is a relatively unknown resort outside of Italy and remains largely Italian in character. This means that, apart from over the weekend, it is refreshingly uncrowded.

The locals are very friendly, which easily makes up for the general lack of spoken foreign languages. La Thuile mainly caters to the family market, so après-ski/nightlife is pretty limited. As with the majority of Italian resorts, organised childcare is not exactly the greatest strength.

The town itself is attractively set in woodland and offers some decent eateries. Mountain restaurants and non-ski activities are not particularly brilliant.

This area will suit most types wanting good, uncrowded skiing in a fairly quiet, low-key resort. There is a mixture of nationalities including Italian, French, British and Scandinavian. Something for all skiing levels, although probably slightly better for intermediate and advanced skiers. Free miniclub for families with young children.

There are a dozen or so hotels, mainly in the 2- and 3-star category, mostly small, family run and offering B&B only. One 4-star which also offers self-catering apartments.

Overall, La Thuile is a reasonably sized ski area that has largely dodged the wider European market. Well worth visiting, but not for those hell-bent on a week-long party session.

Locality:

La Thuile is in the extreme north west corner of Italy, in the region and province of Valle d'Aosta. It is 5 mls SE of French border, 12 mls S of Mont Blanc tunnel, 100 mls NW of Turin, 130 mls W of Milan, 75 mls SE of Geneva, all with airports. La Thuile is set in a narrow, steep-sided valley running south to north at the confluence of 2 streams.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to:

English-speaking instructors are in good supply. Ski-facilities for children include a miniclub, tow lifts and playground. The ski-pass covers La Rosiere ski-area in France with another 32 runs, covering 30 mls.

There are a handful of small local shops in the main street (Via Marcello Collomb), including delicatessens and souvenir shops. More tourist-orientated (and expensive) outlets, including sportswear, perfume and gifts. Watch out for carved wooden articles including the many-spouted "grola" or "friendship cup" used for drinking a local punch.

During the daytime there is the usual range of winter-sports activities including ice-skating, heli-skiing, 2 indoor swimming pools, gym and sauna, amusement arcade with table tennis and pool tables, squash and indoor bowls.

In the summer popular activities include tennis, bowls, trout fishing, horse riding, signposted mountain walks and mountain biking.

The nightlife is limited, it offers a disco, "video-disco-pub" and shows at Planibel.

There is a fair range of restaurants in and around the village, all offering regional specialities, of which the locals are very proud and partisan. No Indian or Chinese food here! Pizzerias, creperies (pancakes) and ice-cream parlours. There are eight bars/restaurants on the pistes.