La Thuile ski resort is located near the town of the same name in the well known Valle d'Aosta.
Where is La Thuile, Italy?
The town of La Thuile is 9km south of the spa town of Pré-Saint-Didier. La Thuile is only 15km (20min by car) from the Aosta valley's best known ski resort, Courmayeur, but it may as well be a world away. Whilst it doesn't have the reputation (or panache!) attributed to Courmayeur, the journey is more than worth it.
Overlooked by the Rutor glacier instead of Monte Bianco, La Thuile is a bit like Courmayeur's ugly sibling. But ugly is good and La Thuile is awesome! Aside from Courmayeur, the closest major centre is Aosta, 50km(ish) to the east (50min by car).
Flights to La Thuile
Main international gateway airport for La Thuile is Milan Malpensa (220km away). Turin airport is closer but serves only European and UK origins. Geneva airport (134km) is also closer than Milan, but has more problematic transfers and transport to La Thuile.
To search for a great deal on a flight to Milan Malpensa, Turin Caselle, or Geneva, use our recommended flight search engine.
Flights into Milan Malpensa Airport
The Powderhounds favourite airport in Italy is Milan Malpensa (MXP). It is fast, efficient and central to most Italian, French, Swiss and Austrian ski resorts. Train connections from the airport are straightforward via the 50min train ride on the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale station. Alternatively, buses at the airport link directly with the Turin and the Aosta valley.
If you are flying into Milan Malpensa Airport late in the day, or leaving early in the morning, Powderhounds recommends staying at either the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Hotel or Moxy Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel .
Flights into Turin Airport
Turin (Torino Caselle) (TRN) airport is well placed to receive skiers and snowboarders heading to destinations in the Aosta Valley or west toward the Via Lattea and France. The airport receives flights from most European countries and London.
The best mode of transport from the airport into Turin is the bus. Regular buses make the 45min journey and stop at both major railway station in Turin (Porta Nuova and Porta Susa). The main bus terminal (Autostazione corso Bolzano) is conveniently situated opposite the Porta Susa railway station.
Turin airport is also served by a train line which takes about 19min to travel to the GTT Dora station near central Turin. However, the Dora station is 2.5km from the Porta Susa railway station and the main bus terminal from where transport heads to the ski fields in the Aosta valley, Bardonecchia, Oulx, the Via Lattea, Sestriere and Milan. Take one of the regular buses into Turin instead.
The airport is well located for car hire, as one can easily avoid the traffic and navigation challenges of the Turin city centre. About 9 major car rental companies are available at Turin airport, however the vehicles should be checked to ensure they are set up for winter driving (i.e. 4WD/AWD, snow tyres, chains). Search for rental cars and book directly online here.
Flights into Geneva Airport
The Geneva (Genève) (GVA) international airport in Switzerland services a range of worldwide destinations including those from the Europe, UK, Scandinavia, USA, Canada, the Middle East (and by default Oceania and Asia), China and Moscow. The airport is somewhat unique in that it has a Swiss and French sector within the one airport complex.
Geneva airport is convenient to many Italian, French, and of course Swiss ski resorts. La Thuile is 135km (2½hr drive) from Geneva airport via the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Other transport connections from Geneva airport include trains direct from the terminal to the Geneva city centre (Cornavin) and then on to ski resorts throughout Europe. Direct train connections include to Verbier, Zermatt, and Chamonix. Direct bus connections to Chamonix are regular during winter, providing good connection options to Courmayeur and La Thuile.
Airport Transfers
The Powderhounds recommend taking public transport from the airport to La Thuile but understand that is not for everyone & getting to La Thuile by train & bus can be time consuming. If you cannot abide public transport, are in a larger group of 3+ people or just have the cash to splash, the quickest way to La Thuile from the airports is a private transfer. Search & book your private transfer here.
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Train & Bus Transport to La Thuile
A sure way to POW (Protect Our Winters) is by taking the train & bus to La Thuile. Very cheap bus fares are available from Turin & Milan to Aosta or Courmayeur, where connections or a taxi can be taken down the side valley to La Thuile.
Trains go to either Chamonix or Aosta from where buses to Courmayeur link up with La Thuile. There are also direct buses from Milan and Turin to Courmayeur. At Courmayeur the La Thuile bus stops at Stop 4. In the past only 3 or 4 buses linked the two towns per day. The services can very busy, so get to the bus stop early. The first afternoon return bus from La Thuile to Courmayeur gets extremely crowded on a good snow day.
Bus tickets to La Thuile from Courmayeur can be purchased from the ticket office at the Courmayeur bus terminal or the bus driver. For other services, search & book bus tickets to Aosta, Courmayeur & La Thuile here.
Driving to La Thuile
For those with a vehicle, the drive to La Thuile varies depending on one's origin. From Geneva and France, La Thuile via the Mont Blanc tunnel and Courmayeur. From Turin, Milan or Switzerland you will travel via Aosta. An efficient motorway (E25) runs through the length of the Aosta valley. To get to La Thuile exit for Pre-Saint Didier for the last 9km to the ski resort.
If renting a car, all the airports provide the simplest means to do so, but there is also the option to utilise some agencies in Aosta. Ensure all cars are set up for winter driving (i.e. snow tyres, chains and/or AWD).
For the best deals on car rentals, search and book directly online here.
Getting Around La Thuile
A free ski bus (Navetta) does regular circuits of La Thuile, linking the ski lifts and base area with the town every 25 to 45min. In true Italian style, the bus stops running for lunch! However, unless your capacity to walk at the end of the ski day is severely inhibited, it only takes 5 - 10min to walk into town from the ski area.