Weekend Getaway in Aosta Valley: The Alpine Hideaway You’ve (Probably) Never Heard of

A week before Covid outbreak in Italy, we lucked out with a magical weekend escape to La Salle, tucked away in the stunning Aosta Valley of northern Italy. We stayed at the charming “Mont Blanc Hotel Village”, a cozy boutique lodge like hotel, that felt like a hidden alpine retreat. Think warm wood interiors, a crackling fireplace, and a spa with views that look straight out to the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps. The hotel is perched perfectly between nature and adventure. It made for the ideal base to explore the area — just a short drive to the iconic Courmayeur ski town and the beautiful slopes of Pré-Saint-Didier. Even as a non-skier, taking the lift to the top was worth every second — the panoramic views across the valley and into France were simply breathtaking. It was also easy to navigate here.

We rented a car and drove up from Milan — about a scenic two-hour journey through the mountains that feels shorter with every bend revealing something more beautiful. The Aosta Valley is such a special corner of Italy. Its where Italian charm meets alpine magic — rustic villages, hearty food, fresh mountain air, and landscapes that feed the soul.

 Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful winter retreat, whether you’re chasing powder or just the perfect view. In a way it’s the perfect combo of both.

Accommodation Tip: We pampered ourselves with a “Junior Suite” which was a nice big elegant old-style room. The only hiccup was that we were expecting a more open mountain view which ended up being across the hall with the “Junior Suite Deluxe” option. If view is important to you best to double check with the hotel your needs and wants to make sure it is just right! (From my perspective it ALWAYS has to be just right). The big bonus of the hotel was the indoor SPA which included an indoor pool, an AMAZING SPA Cave and outdoor jacuzzi. All of it made the stay so tranquil. Unfortunately, during our stay there were children messing about which took away from the serenity but as far as I remember they were not allowed to the indoor SPA area which became a nice hideout. Both breakfast and dinner in the hotel were top notch and we did not find the need to look for other restaurants nearby.

Excursion Tip: La Salle is a few minutes drive from the Ski village of Courmayeur at the foot of Mont Blanc. Walking the little streets of the village I could understand why many might choose to stay in the resorts in town. It is for sure fairy tale like with small cafes and restaurants and little boutique shops. From here you can also hop on the Monte Bianco cable car, offering views of peaks like the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. While you can see many Skiers obviously, it is totally worth going up the cable car and taking in the astonishing views. I found that staying in a hotel a bit out of town but still close enough (hotel also offers daily shuttles) was the perfect combo of a mindful retreat with a handful of activities to explore.