Apres Ski in La Thuile
La Thuile is a quiet, family-oriented ski resort with a modern tourist accommodation and leisure centre set alongside an historic centre which still retains the character associated with a traditional Alpine village.
The Town of La Thuile
Named Ariolica in Roman times, La Thuile was an important town on the route from ancient Rome to Gaul. The San Bernardo pass remained one of the principal routes between Italy and France right up to the 18th century. Renamed La Thuile in 1760, it became an important coal mining town with some 1,400 inhabitants at its peak. Later, as the mines went into decline, it gained popularity as a mountaineering centre, and in 1862 two Englishmen, Mathews and Bonney, climbed the Rutor for the first time having stayed in la Thuile.
Nowadays it’s very much a town of two halves. The modern and convenient, but not very atmospheric, half is close to the Les Suches gondola and the pistes coming down the mountain. This is dominated by the Planibel complex of hotel, apartments and leisure centre. The other half is the old centre of town which is much more visually attractive with some nicely restored hotels, traditional buildings, authentic restaurants and charming local shops, but it’s more than five minutes’ walk to the lifts and slopes (and sometimes a lot more). Fortunately however the ski bus service which connects the two halves, is free and efficient, and runs till the small hours.
The range of leisure facilities and varied piste network make La Thuile an ideal base for families and mixed groups looking for skiing first, and après-ski second. That said, there are a number of good restaurants on and off the slopes, andsome friendly, informal bars in the attractive old town.
Apres Ski Bars & Nightlife in La Thuile
La Thuile is a quiet, family friendly resort, not renowned for lively night life! The après ski is low key and informal, but there are plenty of good restaurants serving traditional Italian dishes and Aosta Valley specialities.
La Buvette
La Buvette at the bottom of the gondola is a popular place to meet for drinks after a day on the slopes, and is also good for snacks and sandwiches during the day.
The Bar Berthod
Bar Berthod is one of a number of small, but cosy bars in La Thuile, great for an Italian ‘aperitivo’.
Bar and Brasserie du Bathieu
Brasserie du Bathieu is pen from 10am until midnight with food, including sandwiches, crepes, pastas and pizza, available all day.
La Cage Aux Folles
Cage Aux Folles La Thuile is a lively bar which stays open late and also airs major sporting events throughout the season. With a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, it offers good music, and a wide range of beers and wines.
Chocolat
A fabulous cafe in the centre of town, which specialises in all things chocolaty, including fondue, the cafe Chocolat is perfect for a steaming cup of hot chocolate served alongside delicious homemade cakes and ice creams.
There is one night club/disco that stays open late and things hot up a little on Saturday nights and public hilidays when it also becomes more noticeably Italian as the weekenders arrive from Turin, but overall La Thuile is not a ski town for partying after midnight.
Restaurants in La Thuile
La Thuile offers a great variety of restaurants for a small Alpine town. Good value pizzerias, restaurants specialising in Aosta Valley favourites such as fondues and raclette, and traditional Italian restaurants are all available. For the area’s traditional after dinner coffee try the ‘grolla d’amicizia’, (friendship cup) a hot drink made with coffee, grappa, génépy, and aromatic spices, served in a wooden pot which is passed around the table. Advance booking for dinner is recommended at weekends when the town fills up with Italian visitors.
Taverna Coppa Pan
Excellent regional specialities including Pierrade, Fondue and Raclette served in a traditional but modern Alpine environment, just after the Les Suches gondola lift station. Location: Fraz. Villaret 68, La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 884797
Le Rascard
Tuscan specialities, local specialities and tasty pizzas cooked in a wood fired oven, are all available in this excellent restaurant. Location: Fraz. Piccola Goletta 103, La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 884999
La Raclette
In the heart of the Planibel complex, La Raclette offers authentic Aosta Valley cuisine and is a great choice for fondue! Location: Fraz. Entrèves 158, La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 884394
Pizzeria La Grotta
A good value pizzeria restaurant, La Grotta offers excellent pizza and pasta dishes. Fondue and other local specialities are also available, but should be booked in advance. Location: Via M. Collomb 27. La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 884474
La Fordze
A charming pizzeria and restaurant with friendly service. Location: Fraz. Bathieu 28. La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 883121
Ristorante Dora
Within the Hotel Miramonti, the Ristorante Dora offers high standards of food and service in an elegant Alpine environment. Location: Hotel Miramonti, Via Piccolo San Bernardo 3, La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 883084
La Maison de Laurent
An excellent restaurant for meat dishes and charcoal grilled steaks. Location: Fraz. Bathieu 71, La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 885100
Pepita Cafe
A cosy and modern restaurant, with a wide menu, including pizza, pasta and steaks. Location: Fraz. Entreves 12, , La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 883047
Le Thovex
A traditional and welcoming restaurant in the delightful hamlet of Thovex. Location: Fraz. Thovex 188, Thovex, La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 884806
Brasserie du Bathieu
Aosta Valley specialties, pasta dishes, grilled meats, crêpes and pizza, and is open from 10am to midnight. A Take-Away service is also available. Location: Fraz. Bathieu 13, La Thuile. Tel: +39 0165 884987
Other Activities in La Thuile
Although La Thuile is a small and quiet Alpine resort, the village and surrounding area, offer a good range of sporting and leisure facilities.
Cross-Country Skiing in La Thuile
There are some lovely cross country ski trails in the Arly area, just past the La Thuile cable car, and a larger cross country centre, the Piste di Arpy in neighbouring Colle San Carlo, between La Thuile and Morgex, which also offers dog sledding, cleared walking paths and snow shoe excursions. Lessons in both classic and skating technique are available at the Foyer de Fond d’Arpy in Colle San Carlo. Equipment can also be hired at Piste di Arpy.
Dog Sled Tours in La Thuile
Dog sled tours with guides are available in the picturesque hamlet of Colle San Carlo, 9km from La Thuile. After a short briefing session you will have the opportunity to drive the sled yourself on the 5km wooded trail up to a panoramic view point. Transfers to the centre, and lunch or dinner arrangements are also available as required. Tel: +39 335 1829414. Web: www.dogsledman.com
Heliskiing & Sightseeing flights in La Thuile
The heli-ski drops are operated by the Pellissier Helicopter Company who also offer helicopter sightseeing flights and transfers, as well.
Pellissier Helicopter Company
Fraz. Bussan Dessus, 7511010 Saint Pierre (AO)
Tel: +39 0165 903758 or +39 348 3161723
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pellissierhelicopter.com
Snow Kiting in La Thuile
Snow kiting is available in the area close to the Piccolo San Bernardo Express chairlift.
Ice Skating in La Thuile
The natural ice skating rink in the centre of La Thuile is open until late March, conditions permitting.
Child Care & Children’s Play Areas in La Thuile
There is a mini club for children aged four to 12 at the Planibel complex and the Grande Albero crèche offers childcare for babies up to three years old. There is a spacious outdoor play area for children, close to the bottom of the pistes in La Thuile. Snow tubing and tobogganing are also available in this area.
Swimming Pools & Wellness in La Thuile
The swimming pools, sauna and steam room at the Planibel complex are open to the public and the Hotel Miramonti also has a pool and excellent spa facilities. The public swimming pool in neighbouring Pre San Didier, 6km from La Thuile, is open in the late afternoons and evenings, and the recently refurbished thermal baths and spa, also in Pre St Didier, should not be missed! They offer a fabulous range of indoor and outdoor spa pools and treatments in superb surroundings, with views towards Mont Blanc.
The Planibel complex also includes a good fitness centre with gym. Massage is also available.
Shopping & Sightseeing in La Thuile
La Thuile has some interesting small shops as well as a couple of specialist snow sport equipment and clothing shops, but the best shopping is in the up-market ski resort of Courmayeur, a 15km bus ride from La Thuile. Courmayeur is a charming town with narrow streets, old stone churches and an attractive pedestrianised centre with some excellent shops.
The ancient Roman city of Aosta, the principal city of the Aosta Valley is just 40km from la Thuile. Its Roman walls are still largely intact and six of the original 20 towers are fairly well preserved. Also of interest in Aosta are the Cathedral (rebuilt in the 11th century), and the Romanesque-Gothic church of Sant’Orso.
La Thuile Tourist Information
For more information about other activities contact the Tourist Office in La Thuile
La Thuile Tourist Office
Via M. Collomb, 3611016
La Thuile (AO)
Tel: +39 0165 884179
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.lathuile.it