Ski Crévacol Italy

Crevacol is one of those very cool ski areas you discover, that most have not and will not. That’s the beauty! In the northern Aosta Valley of Italy, which is full of great ski resorts – Cervinia, Courmayeur, La Thuile, Pila, Monterosa, Chamois, this place is no “ski resort” but Crevacol is a great ski area! $35 Eu tickets, you park for free at the humble base, right near the lift, with just a ski shop and ticket office, and magic carpet learning area. You are under the San Bernardo tunnel highway (which is not so scenic). Grab the slow Sainte Rhemy double chair, which sits at high base elevation of 1640-meters, over 5,300’, and you’re on your way up. No big crowds to navigate, just locals. Though you may notice many backcountry skiers skinning up the massive peaks around you for their day’s adventure!

Mid-mountain at Crevacol, you ski past the three restaurant huts to load a slightly faster triple chair Testa Bassa to the summit, 2450-meters, or 8,038′ with magnificent scenery all around this Italian Alps valley, on the border of Switzerland. With mostly south-facing aspect, its a sunny mountain, though wind can be an issue in this magnificent steep valley.

11 ski trails at Crevacol ski more like a half dozen, but each is fun, unique and varied, Blue, Red and Black, with good pitch. The ski trails under the lift have perfect fallline, where locals show off their carving prowess. Skiers left and right are delightful meandering trails – like Picolo Alpino with its dips and twists back to mid-mountain. With 850-meters vertical, if you ski all the way to the base, you get the full joy of 2,800’ vertical feet through several climates- cool on top, to warm, sunny and soft snow near the base of these mostly south-facing slopes.

Crevacol’s scenery is superb, looking across at awesome peaks of Valle D’Aosta, so pause for photos of these Italian Alps along the way!

Freeriding at Crevacol, on a powder day, wow …there is so much easy to reach off-piste terrain. Wide open low-angle bowls and snowfields are abundant, and with the low crowd rate, we imagine you could score a lot of fresh tracks here. You can also ski tour from the lifts to more adventures…but know before you go, and hire a guide for that level of adventure.

For a cappuccino break, or lunch three huts sit at mid-mountain. Arp de Jeu is a self-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating in the sunshine. We liked Crevacol La Terrase – cozy inside by the fire, with affordable panini, and ridiculously low prices on Prosecco or Vino Chaud (local hot wine). We were amidst more employees partying here, drinking Prosecco on a Saturday afternoon, than guests. Weekends music plays for après from 3-7pm, long after the lifts close at 4:30, they say you must ski – “no rides”! That’s Italy for you! Gran Golliat chalet was not open during our March ski visit, just prior to the resort closing on Easter Sunday.

A fun Crevacol novelty, you actually ski under the San Bernardo highway tunnel, from the Saint Rhemy or Reintro trails on your way to the base, or for daredevils – you can ski briefly on the roadway rooftop – though its strictly forbidden.

Lodging at Crevacol, we loved our stay at Hotel Des Alpes just 5-minutes drive from the ski slopes in Saint Rhemy. This beautiful hotel chalet is historic, warm and friendly, with breakfast included, and dinner service half board or a la carte in a lovely dining room by the fire. The classic wooden hotel charms from the living room, to a cozy wooden bar area, to a Spa with mountain views, even a game room – discotheque downstairs. Leonardo is a super host, friendly and helpful, even offering to sell us a Gran St Bernard tunnel pass at a discount for our trip back to the Swiss Alps. Heather’s ski tip: ask for a Suite on the third floor with a balcony to enjoy the alpen glow.

The village of Etroubles just down the road here is a time zone worth exploring, very historic – like a walking museum with cobblestone pedestrian streets, a church and stone houses, and several pizzerias and restaurants where you’ll dine with more locals than tourists.

You should ski Crevacol for a flashback day, on a ski safari in Italy’s spectacular Aosta Valley – renowned for their fontina cheese, local Aosta wines, and fun ski areas like Chamois, Pila, La Thuile, Courmayeur, Monterosa and Cervinia. A Magic Ski Pass in Aosta is good value for Chamois and Crevacol for multiple days skiing. You are near the Swiss border and can easily reach Verbier, 4 Valleys, Villars, Les Diablerets and Glacier 3000, and more skiing in the Swiss Valley Wallis through the Gran San Bernardo tunnel.

Ski Crévacol Ski Resort Ski Stats:
Elevation: 1640 – 2450 Meters – 8,038′
Vertical Drop: 810 Meters – 2,657′
Lifts: 3
Trails: 21 km