Crevacol Ski Resort Italy
Crévacol ski resort, north of Aosta, is a Powderhounds secret stash with a feature unique in the world of skiing - a valley return 'trail' via the roof of an elevated major roadway. And whilst riding on top of the motorway roof is technically illegal & frowned upon, one doesn't ski at a place like Crevacol because you follow the rules. Some rules just demand to be broken!
The Crevacol base area is hemmed in by a bend in the Gran San Bernardo (Grand St Bernard) Pass road to Switzerland & Verbier. Whilst this provides some visually challenging elements, in the end, the road delivers unsurpassed return access from a powder laden backcountry that we are sure could not have been further from the minds of the engineers that build it. Road users - one; skiers - one; visual amenity - nil!
Skiing at Crévacol reminds one that bigger is not necessarily better & that having fun sliding on snow does not have to cost the world. On a powder day, you will love it. On any other day, you will probably love it too!
Pros & Cons for Crevacol Ski Resort
Pros
- High altitude base area with reliable snow.
- Fantastic backcountry ski access and unique (bizarre) return.
- Very good range of piste trails for beginners & intermediates.
- Excellent options for advanced riders seeking powder, including tree skiing.
- Uncrowded, no lift lines.
- Awesome value for money on a powder day.
- Free learn to ski conveyor in base area.
- Ski-in ski-out lodging option.
- A couple of very good establishments serving tasty local food.
Cons
- Limited terrain for multiple days within the resort.
- Limited to non-existent public transport access.
- Some inbounds off piste is low angle.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Resort base & car park doesn’t see the sun in mid-winter (the car park can be a skating rink too, but it is cold, so the snow stays…….cold!).
- The elevated roadway is ugly (but so useful!).
- Only one accommodation option in the resort (but a few more down valley).
- Limited après ski.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
Crevacol's ample skiable vertical of 800m is more than adequately served by the two well positioned chairlifts. From the top, the options are many. In-bounds piste trails for beginners and particularly intermediates, are fun, rolling runs that are as fast or slow as one desires. Trails wind through trees in the mid area. One marked advanced trail out wide to skiers’ right highlights skinning and backcountry options as well as being a rollicking joy in its own right. All the runs to the base go under the elevated roadway - a surreal experience. Can be difficult stopping oneself from ducking one’s head!
Off-piste, freeride and backcountry options are excellent from the top lift station. Untouched bowls, safe ridges and light forest to the north and east of the resort all end with a return via the roof of the elevated roadway - a unique experience in the world of skiing. A bit of a push, but who cares. Note that we imagine going onto the roadway is probably not strictly allowed, but as they say, when in Rome…..
Check out the ski trail map for Crévacol below.
Where is Crevacol Italy?
The Crevacol ski resort is in northwestern Italy, only 31km from Aosta on the excellent SS27 road (35min drive) and 16km south of the Grand San Bernardo Pass (which leads to Switzerland). Crevacol is close to the small village of Saint-Rhémy and 52km by road south of Verbier in Switzerland. Public transport is so limited to Crevacol that we do not view it as a viable transport option.
The closest airports to Crevacol include Milan (MXP), Turin (TRN) & Geneva (GVA). Turin only serves flights from within Europe & the UK.
Due to the difficult nature of public transport to the Crevacol, we recommend travel is best by rental car. If one is not up to driving, we recommend looking at a private transfer, particularly if in a group of 3 or more people.
Search & book here for all local & airport transfers to Crevacol.
For hints, tips & warnings about getting to Italian ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Italy page.
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Crévacol Accommodation
There are three main accommodation options when skiing Crevacol. One is on the mountain in the resort's only ski-in ski-out lodgings - the basic but good Grand Golliat Guesthouse. Practically a rifugio, the Grand Golliat doubles as Crevacol's best bar & restaurant during the day. Access is via the first chairlift or on foot/skinning up from Saint Rhemy or the car park.
The second option is in nearby villages like Saint-Rhémy en Bosses or Etroubles. The third is in the Aosta valley. Given that public transport to the resort is practically non-existent, having a car allows for easy day trips from the greater Aosta valley. Lodgings near Aosta are many & varied. The basic rule of thumb is the closer one gets to Crevacol, the more limited the hotel & guesthouse options get.
Search & book here for all Crevacol ski accommodation.
Ski Rentals, Services & Facilities
Crevacol ski resort has limited facilities & skier services. A ticket & info desk, two restaurants, one café, some vending machines, toilets & a ski shop make up the entire catalogue, and that was just fine!
Ski rentals & retail sales are available right at the car park in the Crevacol base area, next to the ticket office (cash desk). Receive a discount when book equipment via our Crevacol Ski & Snowboard Rentals page.
Beyond the ski shop & cash desk there is only toilets & some food & vending machines in the base ‘lodge’. A nice café exists at the top of the novice ski area, but it only appears to open once the sun hits the lower slopes (which can be late in winter!). Check out the original plans for Crevacol on the wall - amazing what didn’t happen. Better food & toilet facilities exist at the top of the first chair, but it doesn’t extend much beyond that. Keep your expectations low when skiing this area. Local villages get bigger & provide more services & facilities as one goes further toward Aosta. Saint-Rhémy has fuel, food (including a good prosciutteria) & cash at the old customs stop on the main road but little else. Etroubles has more retail, bars & restaurants.
Nearby Ski Resorts
As part of the Aosta Valley, Crevacol is an easy day trip to the excellent Pila & further afield to wonderful La Thuile and Courmayeur. Other Valle d’Aosta ski resorts further down valley make the area a perfect ‘ski safari’ location and include Cervinia Valtournenche & Monterosa.
Across the Grand San Bernardo Pass in Switzerland, you can continue the theme of skiing quirky little ski resorts by visiting little known gems like Liddes, Champex & La Fouly or head to the high-falutin Verbier to change it up. If driving, the cost of the tunnel through the pass may come as a shock.
Review
The Powderhounds reviewed Crévacol twice during 2018 & are way overdue to return to this Powderhounds Gem. See the review tab for our more comical insights & photos. Add your own if you have been to Crevacol.
See how Crevacol compares to the rest of the Italian ski resorts on the Italy ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.
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