Chamois Ski Resort Italy
Chamois is a delightful, traditional ski resort sitting high above the Valle d'Aosta on the road to Cervinia. The Chamois ski lifts may be old & a tad slow, but if that is a problem, you have missed the point of visiting Chamois.
Chamois is Italy's only car-free village and is linked to the rest of the world via a cable car from the town of Buisson. Its stunning location perched on a precipitous cliff above the valley is perfect on a sunny day for pleasant skiing, quiet contemplation, delicious food & a few tasty spritzers & negroni.
Pros & Cons for Chamois Ski Resort
Pros
- Beautiful village and ski resort area.
- Good range of trails for learners to intermediates.
- Fun off-piste and interesting backcountry terrain.
- Sensational views on a clear day.
- Uncrowded, no lift lines.
- Excellent value for money.
- Several après ski options.
- Ski in ski out accommodation available.
- Some great food on the mountain.
Cons
- Old & slow lift system.
- Limited piste terrain for longer stays.
- No advanced piste trails.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Small ski area.
- Majority of ski terrain south-facing and sunny, but above 1,800m elevation.
- Quiet village, isolated location.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
One does not journey to Chamois with the expectation of a mega sized, ultra-modern skiing area. Chamois is about a genteel snow experience lathered in local tradition. That said, the ski terrain has enough intermediate piste, plus off-piste alpine meadows & even tree skiing to soak some sweat into one's thermals! You will generally have the resort to yourself - crowds are unknown at Chamois. Chamois is also a favoured backcountry ski tour destination from Valtournenche & can be a fun way to arrive in the resort.
Check out the ski trail map for Chamois below.
Whilst the lift pass does not include the cable car up from Buisson, skiing at Chamois is ridiculously cheap (see lift pass section below). Once on the hill, the ski lifts serving the 700m vertical are a series of 'romantic' chairs - slow enough to get to know your fellow passenger intimately on the journey up. A small beginner & learn-to-ski area with surface conveyors & tows is mid-mountain, but Chamois is essentially for intermediates.
Lift Pass
A visit to Chamois is certainly affordable, and more so during the week. A day lift pass on weekdays is up to €6 cheaper than on a weekend. Multi-day passes of 3-days or more at Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche are valid at Chamois and other Aosta Valley ski resorts. In reverse, a 6-day multi-day pass at Chamois is valid for one day at Torgnon only. To reiterate that mentioned earlier; the lift pass is only valid to the Chamois ski lifts and does not include the cable car up from Buisson (as this is classed as public transport and run by a different organisation).
[AdListings collection="Europe" category="Italy Chamois" subcategory="Chamois Guiding"]
Where is Chamois Italy?
The gorgeous village of Chamois is positioned high above the town of Buisson on the road to Cervinia in the Valle d’Aosta. A cable car links Chamois to the valley at Buisson.
The cable car valley station at Buisson is 16km south of Breuil Cervinia and 12km north of Châtillon and the main Aosta Valley. By road, Aosta is 26km west and Turin 100km to the south.
Gateway airports are Turin (TRN), Milan Malpensa (MXP) and perhaps Geneva (GVA). Private transfer from the airport can be the most cost effective & efficient mode of transport to the area, especially if in a group of 3 or more people. Search & book here for private transfers to Buisson & the Aosta Valley.
Public train & bus transport is available but can be convoluted. It is possible via a combination of trains to the Chatillon St Vincent station & then connect to a bus heading toward Cervinia.
Chamois (Buisson) is easy to reach by rental car, particularly from Turin or Milan. Parking is available at the valley cable car station in Buisson.
See our Travel to Cervinia page for more detailed information, just remember to stop at Buisson on the way!
Chamois Accommodation
The Chamois village comprises a few rifugi, hotel & guesthouse/pension options. A night in the village is a magical experience away from the hustle & bustle below. The village of Buisson in the valley is the obvious alternative, as are Cervinia/Valtournenche & Châtillon.
Search & book here for all Chamois ski accommodation.
More Reasons to Visit Chamois
One might get a sense that Chamois ski resort made an impression on the Powderhounds. Very true. It was not just about the skiing or the snow. The combination of this pleasant village in its outstanding location experienced with friends, food & drink on a sunny day just reminds you what skiing is all about. Feelings of bliss & contentment. Visit Chamois, even if it is just for half a day. It'll be the best half day you have in a while.
Reviews
The Powderhounds reviewed Chamois several seasons ago & are due to return soon. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.
See how Chamois compares to the rest of the Italian ski resorts on the Italy ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.
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