Pila
Snow Range
1800-2725m
excellent well groomed pistes in Pila
The drive up to Pila from the Aosta Valley has to be one of the most spectacular in the Alps. As the road climbs and the valley drops away below, the imposing mountains of both the Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc come into sight. As Pila appears above it is clear that this resort has the perfect location: a bowl sheltered from the wind with an enviable snow record yet a fine sunny position.
- the experience
- the slopes
- lift passes and tuition
- ski/board equipment
The experience
Après Ski
The atmosphere is very Italian: relaxed and informal and generally quiet during the week. It is mainly centered around the hotels.
· Gallaghers Irish pub with a young and lively atmosphere, Bar Mion serves the best hot chocolate and La Nuova for an after dinner drink.
Activities
· Sauna and solarium · Torchlight descents · Ice skating
Eating out
There are several snack bars and pizzerias with pasta dishes and pizzas from approx. €5, 3-course evening meals from approx. €19
· Brasserie Du Grimond for pizza or Bar Yeti for specialities from the Aosta valley.
Other amenities
· Charming shops and cafés · Cable car to Aosta for market/shopping/cultural interests
Resort features
- Crystal Ski Escort
- Fast Pass
- Kids ski Free
- Ski Away Days
Transfer time
Turin 2 hrs 15 mins
The slopes
Beginners
Very well suited to beginners, several wide, gentle blue runs make up the heart of the ski area. A definite plus point is that there are only two drag lifts in Pila.
Intermediates
A wonderland of red and blue runs opens up from the centre of the resort. From the top of the Chamole chairlift there are no fewer than four different routes to choose from on picturesque runs down tree lined pistes. The runs are wide and generally uncrowded, which maximises skiing enjoyment.
Advanced
Pila gives the advanced skier the opportunity to try the long testing Resselin run or bash the bumps on the demanding Tsa Creuisa. The area lift pass includes two days skiing in the other Val d'Aosta resorts, join your Crystal ski escort for a ski away day to these nearby ski areas.
Snowboarding
There is some awesome freeriding that can be exploited, also the pistes are extensive and well looked after. Freestylers will be happy with a half pipe to hide in, snow jumps and a rail jump.
Slope facts
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Total kms of piste
70kms
Piste Type No. of Runs Easy 5 Intermediate 22 Difficult 3 -
Number of lifts
12 (1 cable car, 1 gondola, 9 chairlifts, 1 drag lift)
-
Direction of slopes
N, N/E
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Snow cannons
147
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Longest run
6kms
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Mountain restaurants
9
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Cross-country trails
very limited
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Snow Range
1800-2725m
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Village Height:
1,800m (5,940ft)
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Highest Ski Lift
2,752m (9,085ft)
Lift passes and tuition
Lift Pass
| 6 Days | Adult | Junior* | Senior |
| Local lift pass (low) | £135 | £96 | £96 |
| Local lift pass (high) | £152 | £108 | £108 |
| Area lift pass | £163 | £84 | £123 |
Area: For children born after 31/10/96.
Local lift pass
Low season: deps. 04/01-17/01 & 08/03-04/04
High season: deps. 21/12-03/01 & 18/01-07/03
Photo required for lift pass? No. A refundable €5 deposit is required for electronic pass.
Lift pass coverage: Local lift pass covers all lifts in Pila. Area lift pass also includes 2 days skiing in the other Val d'Aosta resorts (La Thuile, Cervinia, Courmayeur, Champoluc and Gressoney).
Ski/Board Tuition
| 5 Days | Adult | Child |
| Ski tuition (low) | £112 | £112 |
| Ski tuition (high) | £120 | £120 |
| Snowboard tuition† (low) | £112 | £112 |
| Snowboard tuition† (high) | £120 | £120 |
Low season: 11/01-14/02 & 01/03-04/04
High season: 21/12-10/01 & 15/02-28/02
† Subject to minimum numbers
Usual hours of instruction: Mon-Fri 1000-1300
No. of ski school instructors: 25
Children: Children from the age of 5 years are accepted into ski school.
First Time Skiing / Boarding
| Adult | Child* | |
| First time - ski (low) | £303 | £218 |
| First time - ski (high) | £331 | £244 |
| First time - board† (low) | £317 | £246 |
| First time - board† (high) | £345 | £272 |
* First time - ski for children aged 5-11 yrs.
First time - board for children aged 7-11 yrs.
† Subject to minimum numbers
Low season: deps. 04/01-17/01 & 08/03-04/04
High season: deps. 21/12-03/01 & 18/01-07/03
the savings
- FREE local lift pass for child born after 01/12/00 when accompanying adult buys same pass.
- FREE area lift pass for child born after 31/10/02 when accompanying adult buys same pass.
- Discounted local lift pass available for adults born before 30/04/49 and area lift pass for adults born before 01/11/43.
Ski/board equipment
Ski/Board Equipment
| 6 Days | Adult | Child* |
| Skis/sticks | £45 | £30 |
| Boots | £23 | £16 |
| Superior skis | £58 | - |
| Snowboard | £64 | £64 |
| Snowboard boots | £27 | £27 |
| Helmet | - | FREE* |
the savings
- FREE local lift pass for child born after 01/12/00 when accompanying adult buys same pass.
- FREE area lift pass for child born after 31/10/02 when accompanying adult buys same pass.
- Discounted local lift pass available for adults born before 30/04/49 and area lift pass for adults born before 01/11/43.
