Mont Blanc, or Monte Bianco, is Western Europe’s highest mountain with one foot in  Italy and the other France with each country boasting a uniquely special winter wonderland of ways to enjoy the mountain. Chamonix on the French side is much larger resort and offers a cosmopolitan flair and an endless array  ski routes, an extravagant downtown area, and metropolitan lifestyle. Less than 22 miles away across the Italian border is Courmayeur,  a quaint Medieval village that oozes Italian style and culture. It is a hamlet vs. a city yet has an exceptional offering of slopes for all levels and an après ski lifestyle inclusive of gourmet Italian food and wine and a nightlife that revels until late after the sun goes down.

Courmayeur Mont Blanc, the elegant and grand resort situated on the Italian, sunnier side of Mont Blanc, offers guests the ultimate luxury skiing experience, surrounded by the most spectacular scenery, and boasts a countless number of activities for all to partake in.

The traditional and charming resort, full of history, is renowned amongst internationals and locals alike, especially for families, as it homes one of Italy’s best ski schools, the professional Monte Bianco.

Fulfilling any guests’ expectations, Courmayeur Mont Blanc is a dreamy destination, with perfect skiing opportunities, along 30 different runs, as well as other incredible winter sport prospects such as hiking, cycling, joy skating and snow shoeing.

The terrain allows endless freeride opportunities, for returning skiers alongside amateurs. The new red run, descending from Arp to Youla, is a challenging adventure, as it is one of the steepest black pistes of the Alps, with a 70% gradient.

The resort is surrounded by ethereal views, with fourteen 4000 metre mountain peaks, completing the perfect escape away. Rooms at the resort satisfy guests with luxurious and charming mountain-style décor, with wooden floors and fireplaces completing the resort’s lavish aesthetic.

The resort also hosts a variety of celebrity chefs, showcasing exquisite local specialities and gourmet delicacies. Local Mont Blanc wines accentuate the world-class dining options and the local Val d’Aosta cuisine, such as polenta served with local cheese and carbonada, refreshing, comforting soups, and Courmayeur’s signature desert, a Mont Blanc ice cream with chestnuts, cocoa and whipped cream.

The wines include some made at the highest altitude in Europe, such as the local Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle, and unique brews complete the specialities, such as those from the Microbirrificio Courmayeur Mont Blanc, a brewery whose secret ingredient is the water from a spring in Courmayeur.

The Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience is a dining highlight not to be missed, held every March at the resort, and has previously attracted acclaimed chefs and resort regulars, including Heston Blumenthal.

Alongside the resort itself, the beauty of the historical village Courmayeur amazes guests, as it offers a one-of-a-kind traditional experience, from car-free cobbled streets to wonderful Italian coffee amongst the antiquated buildings, with characteristic granite roof tiles.

For a step away from the slopes, the cultural attractions and Alpine heritage showcase the history behind the beauty, situated amongst some of Italy’s most elegant and glamorous fashion boutiques.

A recent opening in Courmayeur is the luxurious five-star Le Massif, a ski hotel, and member of The Leading Hotels of the World. With 80 rooms and suites, a renowned spa, two restaurants, and two bars, this world-class hotel boasts Italian style, elegance and comfort.

Guests of the hotel gain priority to the slope side destination chalet restaurant and club, La Loge du Massif, where a kids club is set apart to provide entertainment for all the family. Only a three minute walk from ski lifts providing access to Plan Checrouit, Le Massif is in a prime location to enjoy the serenity of the summits.

Courmayeur Mont Blanc also offers a quick and easy, step-free connection to the resort of Chamonix, through the new Skyway Monte Bianco, the incredible three-stage cable car overlooking the beautiful Italian scenes, as well as access to the Vallee Blanche, the world’s longest lift served run, a 20km off-piste ski route with a vertical descent reaching 2700m. Punta Helbronner, accessed by the cable car, offers stunning views, with 360 degree rotating cabins, and a circular terrace 3446m high.

The cable car’s mid-station, The Pavillion, allows guests to lounge amongst the summits, visit a museum, gift shop, restaurant, bars and terraces. The real wonders include a theatre room, accommodating 150 guests, and Cave Mont Blanc, a high-altitude experimental wine cellar, something not to be missed.  All fully accessible, the mountainous scenery at this high point is complimented by the Alpine Garden, featuring Alpine Star flowers around the lake.

From June to October, the sunnier side of these Italian slopes flourish, as the ski resort transforms into a beautiful destination flaunting serenity and peace through the pastures, valleys, and lakes. Guests can experience the other side of adventure with mountain biking, hiking, sport fishing and water rafting. The perfect climate combined with the host of outdoor activities amongst the greenery offers guests the ultimate break reconnecting to nature.

Guests at Courmayeur Mont Blanc can adventure amongst some of the wonders of the Alps, along Europe’s finest and highest footpaths. The Valle d’Aosta is amongst these, which provides access amongst the incredible scenery and fresh air to some of Mont Blanc’s beautiful summits and kilometres of nature trails. Experts at the resort offer trekking tours, guiding visitors through Mont Blanc safely.

Guests attracted by international trail events, such as the races Gran Trail Courmayeur and the Tor des Geants in Valle d’Aosta, are also welcomed. Experts and amateurs alike are enticed by the incredible Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, which involves a circuit of Mont Blanc, possible on bike and foot, through France, Italy and Switzerland.

Along with the skiing and hiking opportunities, adventure-seekers can indulge in mountain bike tours offered at Courmayeur Mont Blanc, for those of all abilities. Whether you’re partaking in a relaxing, gentle ride admiring the views along the flat Val Ferret, or preferring to heli-bike down single tracks, this winter sport is just one of many available for guests to enjoy.

Alongside the luxury and relaxation offered by the incredible landscapes, crisp air and untouched nature, the beautiful valleys of Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Val Ferret and Val Veny, also offer picturesque views, ideal for wellness retreats, yoga and meditation. Furthermore, the resort homes multiple spa hotels providing a variety of treatments using natural, local products.

A well-deserved relaxation break after an exciting day on the slopes, can be earned at the famous thermal springs Terme di Pré Saint Didier, only a short distance from the resort, is the ultimate way to unwind and lavish in the serene atmosphere, the epitome of luxury and relaxation.

At Courmayeur Mont Blanc, a multitude of activities for families are available from golf and kayaking to rafting, fly-fishing and even dog-sledding, a truly dreamy experience. The resort also homes the highest heated mountain swimming pool in Europe, with a sauna and sun-terrace completing the 32 degrees and 18 metres long pool. For a further array of activities, the indoor Courmayeur Forum Sports Centre entertains all with ice-skating facilities, indoor climbing, and more.

Boasting activities for all, Courmayeur Mont Blanc further proudly advocates accessibility for all too, with a recent partnership with ‘Mountains 4 All’. Accessibility improvements have made the resort more inclusive, with trained, specialist ski-instructors and specific equipment for all those who require.

With these range of activities, it’s no surprise that it is not the skiing and scenes alone that captivate guests. The Courmayeur Mont Blanc’s charming, traditional yet cosmopolitan atmosphere, and countless facilities, continue to satiate returning guests, and mesmerize newcomers.