Where is Monterosa Ski Italy?
Monterosa Ski is at the base of the highest mountains in Italy & encompasses seven resorts spread across the Valle d'Aosta & Piedmont.
The Monterosa Ski area is only 50km by road from the city of Aosta to the closest base area at Champoluc. The Monterosa ski resort villages of Champoluc & Gressoney are about 110km north of Turin. The ski village of Alagna is best approached from Milan, 150km away. Milan Malpensa airport is only 110km from Alagna.
Closest Airports
The main gateway airports for Monterosa Ski are Turin (TRN) (for Champoluc, Gressoney or Champorcher) and Milan (MXP) (for Alagna). Geneva (GVA) in Switzerland could be utilised for skiers travelling to the western end of Monterosa Ski via the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Aosta.
Bus transfers are available from Turin and Milan airports. Rental car companies are located at all the airports and city centres. Cars can also be hired from the city of Aosta.
To search for a great deal on a flight to Turin, Milan Malpensa or Geneva, use our recommended flight search engine.
Flights to Turin Airport
Turin (Torino) (TRN) airport is well placed to receive skiers & snowboarders heading to destinations in the Aosta Valley including Monterosa. The airport receives flights from most European countries & London.
Turin airport is served by a train line which takes about 19min to travel to the GTT Dora station near central Turin. However, there are no easy connections to the main Porta Nuova station, from where trains travel to the Aosta valley (Monterosa), Oulx near the Via Lattea, (and on to France) and Milan.
The best mode of transport from the airport into Turin is the bus. Regular buses make the 45min journey and stop at both major railway stations in Turin (Porta Nuova and Porta Susa). The main bus terminal (Autostazione corso Bolzano) is conveniently situated opposite the Porta Susa railway station.
The airport is well located for car hire, as one can easily avoid the traffic and navigation challenges of the Turin city centre. At least 9 major car rental companies are available at Turin airport, however the vehicles should be checked to ensure they are set up for winter driving (i.e. 4WD/AWD, snow tyres, chains).
Flights to Milan Malpensa Airport
The Powderhounds favourite airport in Italy is Milan Malpensa (MXP). It is generally fast, efficient, and central to most Italian ski resorts including Monterosa Ski. Milan Malpensa is especially convenient for skiers & snowboarders heading to Alagna, but other Monterosa villages can also be reached from here via train, bus or private transport (see below).
If you are flying into Milan Malpensa airport late in the day, or leaving early in the morning, Powderhounds recommends staying at the Sheraton Airport Hotel near Terminal 1 or the funky Moxy Hotel near Terminal 2.
Airport Transfers
The Powderhounds usually recommend taking the train & bus from the airports to any ski resort, but for Monterosa, that can be painful. If not intending to hire a car & for those that just cannot abide wrangling with public transport, a private transfer from Milan, Geneva or Turin will be the most efficient mode of travel.
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Search & book all airport transfers to Alagna, Gressoney or Champoluc.
Bus & Train Transport to Monterosa
The cheapest means of transport to the three main Monterosa ski valleys is via a combination of public train & bus. However, as the nearest train stations are still a reasonable distance from the main ski resort base areas, this mode of travel can be time consuming. All bus tickets can be purchased from the driver, train tickets should be purchased from the station prior to boarding.
For Champoluc, Frachey & St Jacques. Train to Verres from Turin or Milan via Chivasso. Bus service from Verres to Champoluc, Frachey and St Jacques (run by VITA) takes less than 1hr.
For Gressoney-la-Trinite, Orsia & Stafal. Train to Pont St Martin from Turin or Milan via Chivasso. Bus service from Pont St Martin to Gressoney la Trinite, Orsia and Stafal (run by VITA) takes just over 1hr. Runs at least 5 to 6 times a day, mainly in the morning, and more often on weekends & public holidays.
From Chamonix, Savda runs regular services to Courmayeur and Aosta. From there, various combinations can get one to Monterosa Ski at Champoluc and Gressoney.
For Alagna, daily bus services with Baranzelli bus company travel direct from near central Milan at Lampugnano station (3hrs). If coming by train from other destinations. Novara railway station (on the main Turin -Milan line) (2½hrs) is an alternative starting point to then catch the same bus!
The most regular service to Alagna in Valsesia is the Line 50 bus from Vercelli train station (on the main Turin - Milan line, halfway between the two cities). At least 8 services a day complete the 2½hr journey. Some services require a change at Varallo. Vercelli is around 50min from Milano Centrale and 40min from Turin Porta Nuova train stations. With good planning the total journey time from either Turin or Milan, including connections, takes around 4hr.
Search & book train tickets to Monterosa resort villages at Alagna, Champoluc or Gressoney.
Driving to Monterosa
Monterosa ski resort is easily accessible from Aosta, Turin, Milan and beyond. The Italian motorways (autostrade) make travel efficient into the Aosta valley bases at Gressoney & Champoluc but be prepared to pay a few tolls along the way. Once off the motorway, the roads are narrow & winding - care needs to be taken.
Milan is 150km from Alagna and around 180km to both Champoluc & Gressoney la Trinite. Travel times are similar to all locations – around 2⅓hr.
From Turin, Alagna is 150km and over 2hr drive. Gressoney la Trinite & Champoluc are just over 100km away & 1½ to 2hr drive.
Geneva is 215km (3hr drive) from Champoluc and 245km (3½hr drive) from Gressoney la Trinite via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. An alternative route via Verbier and through the Grand St Bernard Tunnel adds another 50km to the journey. Either way, the tunnel fees will make your nose bleed!
For hints, tips & warnings about driving to Italian ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Italy page.
Car Rental
For those travellers wishing to drive to Monterosa, car hire & rentals are readily available. Prices are generally highly competitive and if travelling with two or more persons, car rental can be more cost effective (as well as convenient) when compared to train or bus travel. Note that the roads can be quite challenging in icy and snowy conditions, and when negotiating tight bends with oncoming buses. When in doubt, slow down and give way to the larger oncoming vehicle!
Travellers arriving from overseas into Milan, the most convenient location for picking up a rental car is at the Malpensa Airport Terminals 1 or 2. We do not recommend picking up a car in the city of Milan, as the traffic and navigation challenges are not worth the effort. Similarly, Turin or Geneva airports offer greater convenience and access than other locations.
If you want to hire a car closer to the Monterosa, Aosta is another option. Numbers are limited and only a small portion come with winter tyres.
Wherever one rents a car, ensure the vehicle is winterised and comes with snow tyres and/or snow chains (bare minimum). All-wheel drive or 4WD vehicles offer the safest driving experience on the windy mountain roads leading to Monterosa. Renting cars in Italy for winter driving can be fraught.
Search & book all rental cars.
Nearby Ski Resorts
The Aosta Valley (Valle d'Aosta) has numerous fantastic ski resorts. Powderhounds recommends Courmayeur and La Thuile. For a sneaky secret stash try Crevacol near the Grand San Bernardo Pass. Cervinia and Pila are also nearby, plus Zermatt in Switzerland can be reached from Cervinia.