As always...a beautiful place, potentially even better than other renowned resorts...but unfortunately poorly managed and with little desire to improve or learn from those who do better...
I often find myself saying that if Liguria were run by the people of Romagna, it would be fantastic...in the same way, I'm tempted to say that if the slopes of the Aosta Valley were run by the people of South Tyrol, they would be spectacular!
I love Champoluc and Monterosa Ski... I've been coming here since I was born... now I'm almost 50... I've seen all the improvements, but they're not proportionate to the current cost... I say this because paying 65/70 euros for a ski pass is only tolerable if there were no lines at the lifts... instead, systematically (in high season or on weekends), starting from Champoluc, you'll find a huge line at Mandria, a mandatory stop to go (or return) to Gressoney and Alagna... You can only get by if you get there very early... then the Belvedere... 2-seater chairlift... in 2025... slow and old like few others (I swear... it's the same lift as when I was little... I recognize the seats now)... and above all, returning towards Crest/Champoluc, a huge line forms that can last up to an hour if you take it after 3 pm... so basically, the day is over if you're late returning...
Similarly... Mandria has beautiful slopes, one of which I think they even used for a World Cup slaloms years ago... but completely empty because no one dares to do them to avoid ending up in a queue of at least half an hour despite a 6-seater or maybe even 8-seater chairlift... but still not enough... you need to double it! Finally, the Punta Jolanda area is beautiful, but here too... chairlifts from 1980 on at least two facilities... one of which is very long (if there's a cold wind, you risk freezing by the time you reach the top)... but the place is worth it anyway! The Mandria slopes, the Olen towards Alagna, the Gabiet, etc. are beautiful slopes that are worth it in any case! Many sections are even more challenging than many other places where they've transformed beautiful, impervious slopes... into 8-lane highways... that's what I haven't yet, and I consider it a small plus... Anyway, those who despise buy, and in fact I return every year, in fact I hope this is constructive criticism. You could become even better than Alto Adige... without the equally serious problems of lack of snow. Force!