This is the most North-Westerly of the semi-autonomous regions of Italy, and borders the two highest mountains in the Alps: Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) and Monte Rosa.

The Aosta area was once French, hence the un-Italian place names, and many still speak the Dialetto Valdostano patois among themselves a bit like the Welsh - English relationship.

The central valley runs East from the Mont Blanc Tunnel for about 35 miles before turning South. 

There is a good bus service along the main valley, with the addition of a train line terminating at Aosta, where the autostazione (bus station) is close by the stazione ferroviaria (rail station). Unfortunately the train-line will be closing for electrification, to be replaced by buses.  Unsurprisingly Aosta town is the “hub” for bus services, with a terminal type building. There was also a ticket office and enquiry desk there. Hopefully this has not been replaced by machines.     

Anyone with a car could locate almost anywhere in the central valley and visit many tracks. This is more difficult, but still possible by public transport, if skiing only one area is too limited.  This is the  information on bus timetables and routes.

This information was provided by Mike Haffner.

Home to Europe’s 3 highest mountains, the Aosta Valley is the heart of the alps, and within 2 hours of Geneva, Turin and Milan. Extensive cross country skiing is available throughout the Aosta Valley and there are plenty of easy well-groomed trails available.

Link to The Aosta Valley website

Link to The cross country snow reports

There are 5 cross country areas in Valle d'Aosta with an array of choices to cross country ski and coloured coded on the map above: