 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
We usually ski Easter but our only option is Feb half term for next season and do not want to go France. After researching on here, we are looking at Aosta and wanted some opinions please
Planning a shorter break - fly to Turin Monday and return Sat so 4 days on the slopes. Hire car from Turin - if any recommendations on which car, please do comment.
There are 4 of us - children will be 7 and 9, both ski reds. If possible, would like to arrange a private lesson for them on 2 of the days, we can ski together the remainder of the time.
From reading on here, staying in the valley gives the option of visiting multiple resorts if we want to although we were looking at mostly sticking to Pila due to easy access.
We will need to hire skis - where is best to do this? Is it best to do this for all 4 days from the outset or hire at each resort (if we choose to visit any other resort)? If hiring from the resort, are there storage provisions there too overnight?
Do our plans seem realistic? Anything else we should consider or anywhere else that would be recommended?
TIA
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd suggest hiring for the full period from one outlet, who'd want to go through that palaver more than once ? Good hire shop at the bottom of the main gondola in Pila, also possible to rent lockers there for boots and skis (heated) although it cost me €60 for a week there is provision for 2 pairs of boots on the heaters but you could get all sets of skis in easily , if not all boots.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Brilliant, thanks so much. When travelling with children, knowing the logistics in advance helps so much
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| snowwithkids wrote: |
Hi all,
We usually ski Easter but our only option is Feb half term for next season and do not want to go France. After researching on here, we are looking at Aosta and wanted some opinions please
Planning a shorter break - fly to Turin Monday and return Sat so 4 days on the slopes. Hire car from Turin - if any recommendations on which car, please do comment.
There are 4 of us - children will be 7 and 9, both ski reds. If possible, would like to arrange a private lesson for them on 2 of the days, we can ski together the remainder of the time.
From reading on here, staying in the valley gives the option of visiting multiple resorts if we want to although we were looking at mostly sticking to Pila due to easy access.
We will need to hire skis - where is best to do this? Is it best to do this for all 4 days from the outset or hire at each resort (if we choose to visit any other resort)? If hiring from the resort, are there storage provisions there too overnight?
Do our plans seem realistic? Anything else we should consider or anywhere else that would be recommended?
TIA |
all sounds sensible
my TR from similar last month might help some of your questions
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=172692&highlight=
Pila best place to pre book your lessons. Do pre book as half term will fill up quickly, despite not being France. I skied in Pila in 2020 half term, it wasn't too busy considering it was HT, and the new gondola will be complete by then so the congestion at Pila base will be much eased.
I wouldn't both with a locker, use the car for the skis and bring the boots into the apartment to dry / warm.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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For only 4 days skiing I don't think I'd bother with all the faff of going anywhere else, with kids. You will presumably rent an apartment in Aosta? It might be harder to rent up in Pila for less than the full week. The kids might enjoy the museum in Aosta - lots of interesting detail about Roman life.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks both.
@t44tomo, your trip report and others really helped with planning so big thank you for writing it! I will look at getting lessons booked soon for the children
@Origen, the plan is to stay in Aosta; my reasoning was that if weather/visibility was poor in Pila, we have the option of driving elsewhere in the hope of better conditions. I imagine we would stick to Pila for convenience if the weather is good to us!
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definitely rent once.
Re cars, have had good service twice this year from sicilybycar. once in turin, once in venice. for a family of 4 cupra leon or fiat tipo estate were v roomy and around 300 euro with winter tyres (closer to 200 without).
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Thank you.
Unfortunately they showed as nothing available when I looked - maybe too far in advance?
We have reserved with Dollar in the meantime for a medium size car for £220 and requested snow chains (could not find a winter tyre option). The reservation has free cancellation so I will take another look to see if can get anything better
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
| I'd suggest hiring for the full period from one outlet, who'd want to go through that palaver more than once ? Good hire shop at the bottom of the main gondola in Pila |
I'll second that! We got a great price for 4 days hire (lot cheaper than Ryanair ski carriage) from a place next to the Aosta gondola car park, at Alpinresorts.com in January this year.
Re. car hire: Have a look at Travelsupermarket. It's showing five days Turin Airport car hire, 23-28 Feb 2026 (I've guessed at your dates), from £144 
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Thanks @mountainaddict, will take a look and switch bookings if cheaper
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Useful report thanks
I’m also planning a 4 day 5 night trip next half term Tues to sun(teacher hols) booked flights to malpensa.
Spent many hours researching where to go!! Considering:
Pila ( heard it gets busy with school groups?)
Cervinia (I hear wind an issue and closures)
bardoneccia
Madesimo
Courmayeur
Champoluc
Possibly La thuile but doing La rosiere in dec
It’s carnival next year that week but our first ski day is wed so hoping this helps?
Or even drive over boarder to andermatt but pricy in Swiss although could self cater
Anyone with knowledge give advice? With it being a short trip harder to get decent self catering accommodation in some of these resorts
Is it worth staying in aosta for pila anyone know what the queues are like for the gondola?
I’m after quieter slopes appreciate there will be peak hours bottle necks
I’m going round in circles deciding!!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I would focus on where you can get the accommodation, as a lot of places will be week only sat to sat bookings in that week.
Aosta for Pila should be fine for a 4/5 nighter as its a proper town, as will Bardo - although that's a fair old journey from Malpensa, much easier from Turin.
Pila new gondola phase 2 will be open, so congestion shouldn't be a problem.
Had to look up Madesimo, based on location I'd imagine it will be the quietest by far, a real locals resort. Report back if you do go, sounds interesting.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Tue 17-06-25 16:29; edited 2 times in total
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| Quote: |
I would focus on where you can the accommodation, as a lot of places will be week only sat to sat bookings in that week.
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+1 And that probably means Pila is the most workable option because of being able to stay in Aosta, rather than in resort.
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You know it makes sense.
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Found a great apartment in Bardonecchia for 900eur 5 nights right on the slopes looks like some decent skiing there despite some drag lifts but I find you get less people on slopes where the drag lifts
Expecting sat to be busy but hopefully wed to Fri ok
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