Northeast: surroundings of Mont Blanc
The northern part of Valle d'Aosta, over which the peaks of the Mont Blanc massif pile up (On. Monte Bianco), covered with snow all year round, is very picturesque, but also often crowded. The most magnificent views are offered from (sometimes even very) wobbly cable car, which over the massif transports tourists to the French Chamonix. However, this pleasure costs very expensive, even considering the possibility of returning to Italy by bus or hitchhiking through the 11 km Mont Blanc tunnel. In addition, the cable car is often suspended due to bad weather..
La Thuile and Testa d'Arpy
If someone can't afford a ticket to the queue, can go on a hiking trip to Testa d'Arpy. To the starting point of the trail, large holiday resort LA THUILE, on the road to Petit St Bernard in France, there are buses from Pre-St-Didier, the final station on the railway route from Aosta. You go up (road and path) just over two hours to the Hotel La Genzianella on the summit of Colle San Carlo. From here along the path through the forest in the 10 minutes to reach Testa d'Arpy, natural balcony, from which you can see, as if from a bird's eye view, the entire valley up to Mont Blanc. It is worth having a good map with you (FSB Monte Bianco) not so much, to find your way, but to be able to recognize peaks and glaciers, which will be watched. From others, trails starting from the hotel, the most interesting is a 45-minute walk to Lago d'Arpy, from where you go back to La Thuile.
La Thuile itself is a slightly overdeveloped resort, and that's why by visiting AAST and getting maps, it is better to go to the top for the night, to La Genzianella. Double rooms without bathroom cost there depending on the season 27 000-36 500 L (it is reasonable to call in advance and reserve a place).
Courmayeur and Mont Blanc
COURMAYEUR is the most elegant and popular ski resort in Valle d'Aosta. Ski slopes here are good and not particularly difficult, the scenery is gorgeous, but the village lost its former character due to the flood of pseudo-Alpine cottages and ski bars.
The most convenient base for those coming on a hiking trip or a cable car trip to Chamonix, is located 5 kilometers behind Courmayeur LA PALUD. There are only three buses a day, but it's easy to catch an opportunity. Do not be discouraged by the number of elegant skiers' cars, that don't stop. Local residents usually take hitchhikers.
The cable car has its lower station in La Palud, from where you go in three stages, by Punta Hellbronner and Aiguille du Midi (where on top of a club-like granite rock there is a restaurant) to Chamonix. It is best to set off the wheel 9 water, because around noon the sky usually cloudy and you can not see much. You also need to arrive at the queue some time in advance, because, especially on summer weekends, there may be many people willing to go. The first queue leaves at 8 water, and the last one about 16.20, but the regularity of departures depends on weather conditions. You also need to remember to take warm things with you, for even if there is great heat in the valley, the temperature at the top drops at least to zero.
Another possibility is walks after two, valleys located at the foot of Mont Blanc, where seasonal campsites are located (by bus from Courmayeur). A more interesting of these is Val Ferret, which lies more to the west., because from the Frebouze valley located in the depths of the valley you can return through Monte de la Saxe, from where there are wonderful views of Mont Blanc.
For those looking for affordable accommodation in Courmayeur, the cheapest is located above the gas station on the main road motel Agip (• 0165/842427), where double rooms without bathroom cost 28 000 L. One of the most pleasant restaurants in the town is the Turistica hotel (at the block from the main street of Courmayeur), which also has rooms for rent (are a bit more expensive).
The cheapest hotels in La Palud are Funma (• 0165/89924) and La Quercia (• 0165/89931), in which a double room without bathroom costs about 36000 L. Because in the off-season they are closed, you may be forced to stay in one of the double rooms with bathroom of the extremely comfortable Yallee Blanche Hotel (• 0165/89933; 43 000-45 000 L).