Anyone been to Pila?

We are thinking of going to Pila for a few days in February and are looking for any useful information. It's too late to get accommodation in the resort so have been looking at Aosta. As we will have a car is it less hassle to drive to Pila than go on the gondola? We will probably have to get in the car anyway to get to the gondola so we're thinking it might be just as well to stay in it and drive to Pila. What's parking like in Pila?

Thanks,
Stuart

Hi Stuart
We stayed at Courmayeur last year and the one day we were going to get a bus to Chamonix, but there was too much snow and the bus wasn't going there, so we went to Pila instead.
And it was the best day's skiing I've ever had.
We caught the cable car up, which was fine, to lovely blue skies. The pistes were perfectly groomed, there weren't many people about and therefore not many queues (was approx 1st March).
We were on our 6th skiing holiday, so haven't got much to compare with, and I've not got much useful info for you, but I think of that day and it brings a smile to my face. :lol:

Aosta is a useful place to stay because it gives you access to Courmayer and La Thuile as well as Pila. Like all valley towns you'll have to drive to get to the snow. If you want to ski Italy but from a resort try La Rosiere in France, it's linked to La Thuile, it's very snow-sure none of our guests this year have lost a day's skiing through lack of cover and we still have some availability for February dates.

Thanks for the info - Pila sounds good. We liked the sound of La Rosiere and know people who go back again and again but we prefer the laid back Italian approach. The Italians are more interested in getting a sun tan than pushing and shoving in queues like the French.

Yes, I have went to Pila. It was a very good resort, perfect groomed pistes and not to busy either. Plenty of mountain restaurants. The staff are helpful, epically when I fell off the chairlift coming off it ! Great family resort !

I have worked in Pila. It is a good resort but could be limiting if you are a good intermediate / advanced skier? If you are looking for a bigger ski area youi could try nearby La Thuile or the Monterosa ski area (which includse the resorts of Champoluc, Gressoney and Alagna).

Hi!

First post here, looks like a great place for info :)

Am off to Pila on the 27th January for the week with GF, happy to meet up with anyone going on these dates :D I have been skiing a couple of times but alas, the GF will be on the nursery slopes learning :(

Am staying at El De Neige Hotel ( I think off top of head!) So any previous visitor info to the hotel/location also welcomed!


Thnx!

Taz

Hi Stuart,

I have been to Pila twice (both times for a week) and absolutely love the place, but you should be aware of some realities:

Parking in Pila is very limited and probably best avoided (it’s mostly under the hotel complex and if you get there and it’s full you have the chance to enjoy the scenery as you drive the 20 mins+ back down to the valley floor.) The gondola has a huge car park and to my mind is a far better bet. Like any resort that has a single access method the gondola is very busy at about 9 in the morning and again at about 4ish but careful planning can minimise the impact.

We stayed in Aosta on both occasions and to my mind it creates a near perfect holiday. The skiing is wonderful and in the evening you have access to all the truly local restaurants and facilities of a large town. (This means you are not blackmailed into paying top buck for your meals etc. due to being 3000m up a mountain). If you get the chance, grab a seat in the main plaza, order a bottle of the local wine and watch the Italians show the world how to walk up and down for no particular reason whilst looking like a million Euros :cry:

As for the skiing, I wouldn’t particularly recommend Pila for first timers as (unless things have changed since I was there) there is only one way down from the beginners slopes to the top of the gondola station and a small section of this totally phased one lady who was with us to the point that she never skied again … That said, there are some really great runs and plenty of variety to be had. I would not hesitate to recommend the skiing to anyone above total novice.

It would be really great to hear from you when you get back to see how everyone’s comments match up to your experience, so please stay in touch.

Happy holiday,

Jan