Recreation, of course, is what draws many people to the Valle d'Aosta. You'll find some of the best downhill skiing and facilities on the runs at Courmayeur, Breuil-Cervínia, and in the Valle di Cogne. At the first two, you can expect to pay 26€ to 30€ ($33-$38) and up for daily lift passes. Cogne is a little less expensive, with daily passes running around 18€ ($23). Multiday passes, providing access to lifts and slopes of the entire valley, run 99€ ($124) for 3 days and 129€ ($161) for 4 days, with per-day rates sliding down a scale to 14 days at 350€ ($435). For more info, call tel. 0165-238-871 or visit www.skivallee.it. Ski season starts in late November/early December and runs through April, if the snow holds out.
One money-saving option is to take one of the settimane bianche (white-week) packages that include room and board and unlimited skiing and are available at resorts throughout the Valle d'Aosta. You can expect to pay at least 270€ to 300€ ($338-$375) at Courmayeur, and 200€ to 225€ ($250-$281) at Cogne or one of the other less fashionable resorts. Contact the tourist board in Aosta for more information.
Cross-country skiing is superb around Cogne in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, where there are more than 48km (30 miles) of trails. The Valle d'Aosta is also excellent hiking terrain, especially in July and August. For information about hiking in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, ask at the tourist offices of Aosta and especially Cogne.
