Where to stay in Courmayeur: hotels below Mont Blanc

Courmayeur is one of the most captivating ski destinations in Europe. It sits at the foot of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and offers 145 km of slopes with stunning views of the roof of Europe, the famous Skyway Monte Bianco and the chance to ski in France too, thanks to the link with Chamonix through the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Choosing where to stay in Courmayeur means finding the right balance between location, atmosphere and price.

Courmayeur old town: Aosta Valley elegance

Courmayeur’s old town is one of the most beautiful in the Aosta Valley: its narrow medieval lanes are lined with luxury shops, historic bars and top-class restaurants. Via Roma is the village’s meeting place, home to the famous Caffetteria della Posta, which has been serving tea and pastries to international stars who have come to the resort for decades.

Hotels in the old town range from welcoming 3-star places to 5-star luxury, with a refined international clientele. The Courmayeur-Dolonne-Plan Chécrouit gondola is a short walk away.

Prices in the old town:

Category	High season	Mid season	Low season
5-star luxury	€350-700	€200-350	€150-200
4-star superior	€200-380	€130-220	€100-150
4-star	€150-280	€100-170	€80-120
3-star	€100-180	€70-120	€60-85

Plan Gorret and Dolonne: close to the lifts

The hamlet of Plan Gorret lies halfway between the village centre and Plan Chécrouit, the mid-level of the ski area at 1,700 m. Some places here have almost direct access to the slopes or to the lift shuttle.

Dolonne is the hamlet closest to the main lifts, and the gondola leaves from right here. Hotels in this area are often newer and aimed squarely at skiers. Prices are slightly lower than in the old town (10-20% less), but the location for skiing is better.

Area	Advantages	Average high-season price	Getting to the lifts
Old town	Atmosphere, restaurants	€180-300	Shuttle bus / on foot (15 min)
Plan Gorret	Halfway location	€140-260	Frequent shuttle
Dolonne	Close to the lifts	€120-230	Walk to the gondola

La Palud: gateway to Mont Blanc

La Palud is the part of Courmayeur closest to the Mont Blanc Tunnel and to the valley station of Skyway Monte Bianco, the scenic cable car that climbs via the Pavillon du Mont Fréty to Pointe Helbronner at 3,466 m, with 360-degree views over four countries.

Staying in La Palud is ideal if you want to combine skiing with excursions on Mont Blanc, or if you are arriving from France through the tunnel. Prices here are slightly lower than in the centre (15-25% less) and the setting is quieter.

Type of accommodation in La Palud	High season	Mid season	Notes
3-4 star hotel	€100-200	€75-140	Close to Skyway
Residence / chalet	€120-220	€85-150	Ideal for families
Private apartment	€90-160	€65-120	Book early

To compare prices and availability:

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Skyway Monte Bianco

Skyway Monte Bianco is one of the most spectacular cable cars in the world. It opened in 2015 and its panoramic cabins rotate through 360 degrees. It climbs from Courmayeur (1,224 m) to Pointe Helbronner (3,466 m) in two stages, and in summer you can continue towards Chamonix.

In winter the mid-station, Pavillon du Mont Fréty (2,173 m), has a stunning viewing terrace and access to snowshoe routes and guided off-piste descents. The whole trip takes about 2 hours return and costs about €50-55 for adults.

Courmayeur and Chamonix: skiing in two countries

One of Courmayeur’s great strengths is how close it is to Chamonix, the legendary French resort at the foot of Mont Blanc. The Mont Blanc Tunnel links the two resorts in just 15 minutes by car (toll €30-40). You can ski Courmayeur in the morning and Chamonix’s Les Grands Montets or Brévent areas in the afternoon.

This combination needs a car or a private shuttle (some hotels offer transfers). The combined Courmayeur-Chamonix ski pass covers both ski areas on a single card.

Getting to Courmayeur without a car

You can take the train as far as Aosta (26 km), where SVAP buses leave once or twice an hour. From Milan the train and bus journey takes about 3-3.5 hours; from Turin about 2.5-3 hours. Many hotels offer transfers from Turin Caselle airport (90 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes) or from Malpensa.

FAQ

Is Courmayeur good for beginners?

The Courmayeur ski area is mainly for intermediate to advanced skiers, with most of the slopes on the Plan Chécrouit side. Complete beginners can join the well-regarded ski school (Scuola di Sci Courmayeur) and learn on the easy green runs lower down. Even so, novices may find the ski area a little limited compared with resorts more geared to beginners. For advanced skiers, guided off-piste on the Mont Blanc side is an extraordinary experience.

How do you get to Courmayeur without a car?

The most practical option is the train to Aosta, then the SVAP bus (Aosta-Courmayeur line, about 45 minutes, tickets €4-6). From Milano Centrale there are direct SVAP/FlixBus coaches stopping along the way (about 3.5 hours). From Turin, take the train to Aosta and then the bus. Many hotels offer private transfers from airports and railway stations, which you need to book in advance.

What are the Skyway Monte Bianco opening times?

In winter Skyway Monte Bianco usually runs from 08:30 to 16:30 (times vary by season). The valley station is in La Palud, about 4 km from the centre of Courmayeur, and you can get there by car, taxi or shuttle. Book your ticket online in advance, especially at weekends and in peak weeks, to avoid queues. An adult return ticket costs about €50-55.

How do you get to Chamonix?

The most direct route is through the Mont Blanc Tunnel (by car, 15 minutes, toll €30-40 return). Alternatively, in summer and autumn there is the route over the Little St Bernard Pass. The Courmayeur and Chamonix ski areas are not linked on skis (there is no ski connection), so you have to travel by road. Some operators run ski-to-ski shuttles between Courmayeur and Chamonix during the winter season.

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