People who visit the Gressoney Valley find it a very special place, relatively untouched by time and apparently unpreturbed by the arrival of winter sports. There are three main resorts - St Jean, La Trinite and Stafal at the head of trhe valley. Stafal is really just one hotel but has to best access to the giant Monte Rosa ski area. St Jean has most of the facilities but is not linked in to the main ski circuit, having just a small area of its own. La Trinite is connected to the circuit and has moderate facilities. The local people speak a German dialect, because they are of the ancient ethnic group of the Walser.
The giant Monterosa ski area is one of the world`s largest, and thanks to recent investment in new lifts you can now ski or board without needing to stop for 180km between the resorts of Champoluc and Gressoney and Gressoney on to Alagna across three valleys. The skiing extends almost up to 3000 metres and there are spectacular views across Aosta Valley and Piemonte. The ski area was `reborn` for the 2003/4 season when the spectacular Funifor cable car finally completed the long planned link in the circuit between the Valsesia and Gressoney La Trinite resorts (themselves connected to Champoluc). The most internationally famous resort on the circuit, Alagna, is known for its old world charm and having been preserved from cement with its Walser buildings dominant.
Although there`s skiing for all standards, Alagna remains a haven for expert skiers, the village sits beneath one of the world`s greatest lift-served verticals skiable by many off-piste descents. Apres Ski Gressoney has a modest selection of small bars. The Petit in la Trinite is good, the `negrone` cocktail is a house special. The bar in the Jolanda Sport serves a mean Bombardino. The bars take it in turn close for one night a week so don`t expect to go to the same place every night. Eating Out Gressoney offers good restaurants serving typical local specialities. 3-course meals from €21, pizza and pasta dishes €8 • At La Trinité, the Sporthaus is popular for grills and venison, the Pizzeria Walserchild or the Schnee Blume, Bar Monterosa or Petit Bar for fantastic sandwiches, at Stafal the Capanna Carla or the Kramenthal serve local dishes and at St. Jean the Pizzeria Principe has the best pizzas in the whole valley. Activities • Natural ice rink • Cross country skiing • Snow shoe walking • Helicopter tours • Toboggan run (St. Jean) • A night in a mountain refuge with dinner, B&B for approx. €36 Other Amenities • Sports shop • Local handicraft shops and wooden gifts at Sybilla's • Charming shops in St. Jean • Visit to the Royal Castle of Savoie in St. Jean • Buses to Aosta for the Tuesday market |
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