The opportunity is favorable to tackle the plan we had already cherished, a trip to Courmayeur, and the weather forecast is also hopeful, so we set off to the west. We can already see Mont Blanc from afar and when we see the first skiers in full alpine gear walking along the road in Chamonix, we can hardly wait. We briefly catch sight of the impressive glacier formations, then the Mont Blanc tunnel swallows us up and spits us out again just as quickly on the south-eastern side of its namesake.
In the shadow of 4000-metre peaks, at the foot of the mighty Mont Blanc massif, in a thoroughly wild landscape, the small, cosy mountaineering village of Courmayeur awaits us. The village lies at the end of the Aosta Valley at an altitude of around 1200 m and serves as a starting point for all kinds of activities for both mountaineers and piste adventurers. You can't deny that there is also a hint of St. Moritz. The Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie ski resort is located on the opposite side of the valley and opens up the slopes between Val Veny and Mont Chetif, at altitudes between 1200 and 2755 meters. From Punta Helbronner (3462 m), which can be reached via the Skyway gondola, descents of more than 2000 vertical meters are possible!
Despite the forecasts, the promised snow does not come in the expected quantities and we also get to know the area in modest visibility. However, we don't let this spoil our mood and enjoy the incredible tree skiing on offer. Between the Plan de la Gabba and Bertolini chairlifts, on the side of the ski resort facing Val Veny, there are numerous variations. Here you can let off steam and even after half a day we still find untouched spots. There is something for everyone, steep and moderate passages alternate, and we can make our first powder turns directly to the left and right of the chairlift. Between the mountain station of the Val Veny cable car and the Peindeint lift, there are various steeper gullies through the forest down into Val Veny. The river Dora leads us back to the cable car. However, these treeruns only become really fun when there's an alarming amount of fresh snow!