Sarre, Saint-Nicolas and Fénis (around Aosta)
The largest group of our Aosta Valley homes is here, close to the regional capital. Sarre has a former royal hunting lodge, Saint-Nicolas sits on a sunny terrace above the main valley, and Fénis has one of the best-known castles in the region. Aosta's Roman walls and theatre are a short drive, and the Pila gondola leaves from the edge of town. Turin airport is around an hour and a quarter away.
Best for: Touring the valley's castles and side valleys from one central base
Not for you if: You want to ski from the door: these are valley and hillside villages, a drive or gondola ride from the slopes.
Courmayeur, Pré-Saint-Didier and La Salle (Mont Blanc)
Courmayeur sits at the foot of Mont Blanc, with a pedestrian main street, a ski area above the town and the Skyway cable car up to Punta Helbronner on the Italian side of the massif. Pré-Saint-Didier, a few minutes down the road, has thermal baths open in winter and summer. La Salle is quieter and cheaper, on the sunny side of the valley. Geneva is around an hour and a half away through the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Best for: Skiers and walkers who want Mont Blanc on the doorstep
Not for you if: You're on a tight budget: Courmayeur is the valley's smartest and most expensive resort.
Valtournenche and Breuil-Cervinia
Valtournenche lies in the valley below Breuil-Cervinia, under the Matterhorn, and has its own lifts into the same ski area. The slopes are high and mostly gentle, and with the international pass you can ski across to Zermatt in Switzerland. In summer the valley is quieter, with walking routes to lakes and huts. Turin airport is around an hour and three quarters away, and Milan Malpensa a little over two hours.
Best for: Skiers who want high, snow-sure slopes and a link to Zermatt
Not for you if: You want lots of off-slope life: Valtournenche is a small village and evenings are low-key.
Valpelline (Bionaz-Oyace)
The Valpelline runs north from Aosta towards the Swiss border. Oyace and Bionaz are small stone villages near its head, and above them the road ends at the Place Moulin dam, with a flat track along its reservoir and paths to high huts. This is a place for long walks and quiet evenings. Aosta is around 40 minutes down the valley, and Turin airport about two hours away.
Best for: Walkers who want a remote side valley with very few visitors
Not for you if: You want skiing or restaurants nearby: the Valpelline has neither in any number.
Introd, Avise and Arvier (Gran Paradiso side)
Introd sits at the mouth of the Rhêmes and Valsavarenche valleys, the main routes into the Gran Paradiso National Park, where ibex and chamois are easy to spot. It also has a small wildlife park. Arvier grows the local Enfer d'Arvier red wine on steep terraces, and Avise has old tower houses along the main valley. Courmayeur and Aosta are each around 20 minutes away. Turin is around an hour and a half.
Best for: Families and walkers heading into the Gran Paradiso National Park
Not for you if: You want a lively village: these are small farming and wine villages that go quiet early.
