La Thuile, Italy

Visitor reviews for La Thuile

• February 19, 2008
  RichB from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  The best thing about La Thuile is its (un)popularity. We never had to queue more than 30 seconds for any of the chairlifts, including the first gondola in the morning. It was typical to go a 30 mins or so without seeing another skiier on the less popular runs. Overall, the ski area is pretty big, but advanced skiers/boarders will soon get bored of the runs leading to Chaz Dura, and if you're a beginner the only red run down to the resort can be tricky when icy.

  If the weather is kind then you can easily get across to La Rosiere for a bit of variety (personally, I think La Rosiere is the better ski area - snowboard parks etc are all in Rosiere so well worth the trip over there), but any amount of cloud/wind means you have to be a pretty good skier to get there as visibility can get very low. Getting back from Rosiere is a different matter... The only way back is via a 3km button lift, which for a snowboader like me is very tricky. I imagine skiers will be fine, but if you're a beginner/intermediate snowboarder then be warned - 3km is a long walk if you fall off!

  Overall, very good and worth a visit. I would return, but only when they've replaced that awful button lift with a chairlift.

• February 16, 2008
  Steve from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  A quiet resort with well cared for pistes. Tremendous views of Monte Bianco, Grand Jorasses and from the highest point, the Matterhorn (Monte Cervino). The journey to La Rossiere is wonderful with great pistes through a sort of no-mans land and sensational views - go early as the Rossiere pistes deteriorate in the sun by mid day. Best pistes are in La Thuile - the snow stays in good condition all day. Be sure to visit the Berthod restaurant on red 28, a superb Himalayan style sanctuary complete with Nepalese rugs and courtesy slippers. In the town, during the weekend evenings, the restaurants become fully booked so book ahead. During the week there is no problem. Aprés-ski is very limited. Very friendly locals. To sum up - sometimes on the mountain there won't be a soul to be seen for 10-20 mins despite being on the best prepared piste you can imagine - enjoy.

• January 27, 2008
  Ed Coyle from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Just returned from an excellent week at La Thuile where the snow was first class, weather clear, save for one midweek day which enabled the snow to be refreshed. During the week the place is empty with no queues and even at the weekend local Italians appear to favour the more fashionable Courmayeur, 10 Kms away. I have visited 4 times in good and bad weather and never been disappointed. It can be very windy up top , but early intermediates can find safe ways ( 'variantes') down the tree-protected black slopes back to the resorts - just follow the lines of small children following their instructors. Linked to La Rosiere in France - but I advise particular care for all on that resorts old style metal pole tows - particularly caution recommended to men whose families are not yet complete.
  It is a quiet town, made up of 7 smaller villages. It is starting to develop as awareness of this undiscovered gem widens. Thankfully, the new developments are more in tune with the local traditional style. For self caterers, not a lot of restaurant choice and prior reservation would be wise near the weekend. A particular favorite is La Grotta, a charming, efficient family restaurant selling excellent traditional Italian food at very good value. Full of the French at lunchtime when the La Rosiere link is open - and they know about matters culinary.
  One problem is that the ski school does not have an abundance of instructors whose English has the precision necessary for successful tuition.

• January 13, 2008
  jason murtagh from IRELAND
  

  Just back from a week in La Thuile. Nice village, good selection of restaurants and bars. The nightlife is quieter than some resorts, but I went with a large group so we had fun anyway. Good selection of slopes for beginners to advanced. Black no 3 definately worth a try ! woohoo! You can also nip over the French side to La Rossier. Skiing is nice there too. Well worth a visit. I know my group are already planning a return visit to La Thuile. Ciao!

• December 21, 2007
  Nick White from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Have been holidaying in La Thuile for nearly 15yrs. Has fantastic beginner slopes. I teach on these myself and has made La Thuile my favorite resort to teach at. The best restaurants are hidden in the old part of town down back alleyways.

  The night life isn't huge but you can have a good time, not spend a huge amount of money and meet some nice locals. Never had a problem with the language issues. Most shop keepers can speak basic English and will help you if you try and use Italian with them. Most also speak French

  I fully recommend this resort to anybody, especially families and large groups......you can make your own evening entertainment.

• March 19, 2007
  Ian Wickham from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Just got back from a five night ski break to La Thuile. Not a lot of snow in the village but the slopes were in the best nick of the season. I agree with the guy below, Number 3 black was the steepest I have skied ( 73% gradient ). Not for the faint hearted.
  The resort was quiet but this break was without child, so with skiing all day all we wanted to do in the evening was to eat and sleep. Food prices varied between le brocole at 70E ( food great, service great, but not friendly !! ) and at 25E (yes, that price is for two) was La Grotta; low on presentation, high on value for money and they were really pleased to see us. Vino Rosso; three Euro's for half a litre !!!

• February 15, 2007
  David Collins from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Went to La Thuile at the last minute and was not disappointed.
  There is little nightlife to speak of but the place is quite unusual in that it is definitely part of Italy - it'd be a good idea to brush up on your Italian. That's pretty cool when you can often find that there isn't much in the way of local influence.
  There is an excellent little restaurant on the corner at the bottom of the hill (get one of their fondues!).. and plenty of others to explore (and they seem to always want to give you some nice snacks with your drinks, which are pretty reasonably priced.
  The slopes are great - especially for beginners to learn on, there are also some nice reds and the 'c' black is one of the steepest I've seen - fun! There are many runs for the beginners to really get to travel about on without any fears. For example, go over to France and straight back on the 19..
  Queues did not seem to exist...in my week I never queued...not even once!
  Downsides:
  The place has little in the way of easy tree runs when there is bad weather so your beginners will be pretty unhappy.
  Mountain restaurants were pretty normal, just somewhere to eat...and leave!
  Nightlife is quiet.
  Some of the main lifts are slow, which is annoying.
  Well, have fun - and get over the back, there are some nice spots to play around on!

• April 01, 2006
  amanda from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  This is the second time we've been to La Thuile and its really a great resort. We chose to go their again as the nusery slopes are across the road from the hotel and the gondolas are only a 4 minute walk. The runs are extensive and my favourite were red run 7 which is about 11km long and red run 6 both allowing you to ski all the way back down to the village.

  The apres-ski is based around restaurants and bars which are inexpensive, but to be honest we were so tired after a full day of skiing that's all we needed.

• September 30, 2005
  Simon Rowe from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I have visited La Thuile ant least once a year for the last 7 years.Staying at the excelent Chalet Alpina Run by Debbie and Eddy Nicco,just 4 minutes from the lifts.The area is fantastic,with something for everyone. Not a queue in site, and on the whole, reliable snow conditions. La Thuile is not the resort for late night partying, but the village has some good resturants and bars, and prices are much cheaper than France. You can still get a Pizza and wine for a fiver. La Bricole provides late night music and alcohol for the more hardy among you, while the Planibel Disco is busy at weekends when the locals arrive. For a good value meal try La Grotta or the Brasserie Du Bathieu with is very large portions!

• October 18, 2004
  Duvet from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Stay at Courmayeur - drive across to La Thuile when you are tired of Courmayeur's crowded Gucci-infested slopes. Empty, varied slopes, great place for venturing off-piste for the first time, links with France. There are a couple of long slow chairlifts though - and not a lot of tree runs for those snowy days. Generally though - La Thuile rules!

• September 10, 2004
  Steve Skinner from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  1st time back to Skiing after a twenty year gap. La Thuile was brilliant, great Skiing, Great weather ( apart from the last two days, Complete white out, was unable to ski! even the Ski schools never came out on our last day!). Stayed in the Planibel Apartments and we were very satisfied, they were warm, clean and right on the slopes! Not the place to go if your a party animal! but Erics Bar kept us entertained all week!.........Cant wait to get back......Yes there are 21 of us going again next Feb 2005! Just a bit of advice for people who have'nt skied for a few years......do about 6 weeks exercises prior to going, I did and never really suffered...others on my group didnt ......and suffered! Ha Ha!

• March 19, 2004
  Laura Harris from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  La Thuile is great with some wonderful off piste and brilliant views. Its worth a quick trip over to La Rosiere as well just to say you have skiied two countries in one day. Most definitely worth a trip here.