
A ski week in Monterosa, Italy
our favourite affordable ski destination

7 days
Ski trip

Adventure
in Nature

Couple, family &
friends trip

< 1500€
p.p per week
Welcome to Monterosa Valley
If you’re looking for an affordable ski week, Italy is your destination.
It’s far from the crowds of France or Switzerland, with breathtaking scenery and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Let us introduce you to Monterosa Ski. This place is more than just a ski resort for us; it’s where Arthur grew up skiing, where some of our memories were made, and where we keep coming back year after year.
We spent the last Christmas holidays (2025) here and once again, this valley reminded us why it’s our favourite ski area in Italy: authentic villages, long scenic runs, excellent food, and prices that still make sense.





Where to stay?
Our favourite hotel in Gressoney Saint-Jean
We always stay at Albergo Alpenrose Ski & Bike Mountain Hotel.
This family-run hotel is managed by Franco (a former professional skier) and Silvia, who have been welcoming guests for over 30 years.
The hotel is located in front of the Weissmatten ski area and 15 to 30 minutes from Staffal ( a bigger station with slopes for everyone) If you travel as a beginner or with kids, it’s perfect to take lessons in front of your hotel
Why we love it:
- 🐶 Dog-friendly
- 🍝 Delicious local dishes
- 🍷 Great wine selection
- ❤️ Warm, authentic atmosphere
Where to rent your ski?
David “3” Sport
One of the biggest advantages of staying in Gressoney Saint-Jean is how easy everything is. Just 100 meters from the hotel, you’ll find the ski rental shop David 3 Sport.
💰 Rental prices:
- 110€ for the full equipment (ski, boots & poles)
- 80€ for ski & poles only
Good quality equipment, fair prices and a very smooth experience.

Where to ski?
As a beginner, the Weissmatten ski area is the perfect place to start.
This area has a few well-maintained slopes with the ski instructors based in front of the hotel, at the bottom of the slopes and only one iconic duo chairlift to the top, and a drag lift.
There’s one blue slope and one red (the last part turns into black). There are some nice off-piste runs under the pine trees and along the blue are safe and super fun for the kids. It’s very secure, never crowded and perfect for learning and building confidence.When Arthur was a kid, his parents would let him take the chairlift alone or with friends, ski down with them, and meet all together at the bottom.
For the rest, we recommend the Monterosa Valley – from Champoluc to Alagna via Staffal, this 3-valley domain will please all skiers. One of the best things about this place is how easily you can move around the domain. There’s a free ski bus running all day.
For those who still want to use their car, you have 2 options:
- Go until the end of the valley (Staffal): 8€/day, easy payment via the EasyPark app
- Start from Punta Jolanda: The parking is located on the left as you drive up the valley. We recommend driving to the end, turning right and crossing under the road, where you will find additional free parking spaces (blue lines = chargeable / white lines = free parking spot).

Our usual ski itinerary
Here are some flexible ski itinerary options you can adapt depending on the weather, snow conditions and your energy level. Overall, Monterosa is a chill and accessible ski area, suitable for most skiers, with just a few specific points to be aware of.
Staffal → Bettaforca → Champoluc → and back
⛷️ Difficulty: Intermediate 🔴
This is a long and beautiful itinerary with great variety. To come back from Champoluc, there is a mandatory black slope. It’s not technically very hard, but there is a short, narrow wall that is often crowded and icy, especially at the end of the day. Manageable if you stay calm, but good to know in advance.
🍴 Lunch option: Lo Retsignon (Frachey) or Ristorante Frantze (Champoluc)
Punta Jolanda → Passo Salati → and back
⛷️ Difficulty: Easy to intermediate 🔵
A high-altitude itinerary with wide slopes and stunning views. Very relaxed and accessible, making it a great option for most skiers.
🍴 Lunch option: Ristorante Morgenrot
Staffal or Punta Jolanda → Passo Salati → Alagna → and back
⛷️ Difficulty: Intermediate (with a black option) 🔴
To ski down to Alagna, there is only one black slope, and it’s actually super nice and enjoyable. If you don’t feel like skiing the black run, you can simply take the cable car down, which makes this itinerary accessible to everyone.
🍴 Lunch option: Adler’s Nest
Where to eat at lunch?
Italy is known for its amazing food, and Monterosa certainly doesn’t disappoint. Here are some of our favourite lunch spots located around the domain:
- Adler’s Nest – Gabiet
Perfect place for a comforting pasta dish with a nice view on the valley and a lake. The terrasse is huge. We highly recommend you to book a spot if you are more than 2 people. - Ristorante Morgenrot – Punta Jolanda
Refined food and cosy atmosphere. The charcuterie and cheese plate is enormous. Arthur love to drink a bombardino there! “il Bombardino is the skier’s reward after an exhilarating morning on the slopes”. Booking recommended. - Ristorante Jutz – Bettaforca
Traditional mountain cuisine, hearty and delicious. A lovely terrasse and nice pasta plates. - Lo Retsignon – Frachey
A classic stop if you ski down to Champoluc. Don’t hesitate to check on the tiny terrasse behind the restaurant to be seated in the sun and with a wonderful view. - Ristorante Frantze – Champoluc
Bar, panini, charcuterie & cheese boards. It’s simple and perfect for a quick lunch.
After-ski 🎊
After a ski day, head to the charming village of Gressoney Saint-Jean. Our go-to spots for a hot drink and sweet bite are :


While you’re in Gressoney Saint-Jean, don’t miss Roberto’s shop. Roberto is a part-time ski instructor and works at his shop the rest of the time. He has a great selection of high-quality mountain equipment a great prices. If you tell him you’re coming from us, he’ll always make a gesture. His dad and his brother run the ski rental shop. For those who want to bring back some authentic products with the taste of the Aosta Valley tradition, you can find the Alpenzu shop. It’s a mandatory stop. Catu loves the fruit jams, and Arthur loves the nocciola and cacao spread 🌰. It’s in front of Roberto’s shop.
If you are parked a Gressoney-la-trinité, don’t hesitate to stop at the bar Edelboden next to another David ski rental/shop. Their hot chocolate is incredible. Arthur always falls for the extra con panna ☕️
A non-ski activity you must do: visit Castel Savoia 🏰
If you want a break from skiing, you can visit Castel Savoia, built for Queen Margherita of Savoy. A beautiful cultural stop with great views over the valley. It’s absolutely worth visiting, especially on a sunny day. The castle has been beautifully preserved and feels almost untouched, as if time stopped 100 years ago.
From the hotel, there is a nice 20-minutes path in the forest to the entrance of the castle.



Tip: Don’t miss the veranda. From there, you’ll enjoy a stunning view over the valley and the Monte Rosa massif. One of the most beautiful panoramas in the area.
💰 Entrance fee: 8€ per person
The cost breakdown
For 7 nights and 6 days of ski for 2 people, this trips costs around 2.750 euros. See below the detail (December 2025)
| Details | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| ⛽️ Fuel | We drove ± 1.850km | € 170 |
| 🕳️ San Bernardo Tunnel | Round trip | € 54 |
| 🅿️ Parking | 8€ per day (Staffal) | € 32 |
| 🏠 Hotel | 6 nights half board | € 1.400 |
| 🚡 Ski pass | 350€/6 days | € 700 |
| 🎿 Ski rental | 110€ + 80€ | € 190 |
| 🍝 Lunch | 6 lunches | € 200 |
| 🍿 Extras | snack for the car | € 30 |
| TOTAL | € 2.776 |
Why is skiing in Monterosa worth it?
It’s one of those places you don’t want to see go viral… but you still want to share with people who will love it as much as we do. If you’re looking for:
- Cheap skiing week
- A family-friendly ski resort
- Great food and wine
- Long runs and no crowds
- Authentic villages and local atmosphere
Then Monterosa Valley should be on your list. See you on the slopes 🇮🇹⛷️

FAQ
Is Monterosa a good ski resort for beginners?
Yes. Monterosa is generally easy and relaxed, especially in areas like Weissmatten (Gressoney Saint-Jean), which is perfect for beginners and families. Slopes are wide, uncrowded and well-maintained, with ski instructors based directly on-site.
Is Monterosa good for intermediate skiers?
Yes. Intermediate skiers will love Monterosa for its long scenic runs, variety of itineraries and high-altitude slopes. Most routes are smooth and enjoyable, with just a few specific black sections that are easy to avoid or bypass.
Is Monterosa suitable for families?
Absolutely. Monterosa is one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in Italy. Prices are reasonable, villages are calm and safe, and there are ski areas adapted to all levels. It’s ideal for families who want to ski without stress or crowds.
Is Monterosa crowded during school holidays?
Compared to France or Switzerland, Monterosa remains very quiet, even during peak periods. We skied there during the Christmas holidays , and until December 25th, the slopes were almost empty. After that, more families arrived, but it was still far from crowded.
Is Monterosa a cheap ski destination in Italy?
Yes. Monterosa offers excellent value for money. A 6-day ski pass costs around 300€, accommodation and food are more affordable than in major resorts, and overall expenses remain very reasonable for a full ski week in Italy.
Do I need a car to ski in Monterosa?
Not necessarily. There is a free ski bus running all day, connecting the main villages and ski areas. Parking is easy if you do drive, but it’s perfectly possible to move around without a car.
Are there difficult slopes in Monterosa?
There are some black slopes, but they are limited. Coming back from Champoluc requires a short black section, and skiing down to Alagna is also a black run. That said, the Alagna descent is very enjoyable, and you can always take the cable car if you prefer not to ski it. There is also the olympic black in front of the hotel, at the Weissmatten ski area.
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