Aosta is truly unique in that, only minutes from the Roman and Mediaeval monuments of the historic centre, it is possible to take a convenient cable car ride of 20 minutes to reach the heart of a true ski haven. The cable car departure point for Pila can be reached on foot from the railway station by means of a short underground pedestrian passage. Pila has a host of ski facilities and slopes for enthusiasts, and in the summer it is possible to enjoy spectacular views extending from Mont Blanc to Grand Combin, and from Cervino to Monte Rosa. The trekking and cycling tracks wind through forests and pastures, making it a real paradise for mountain bikers. Also reached by car from Aosta, via the provincial road for Pila (19 Km) or by bus on the Aosta-Pila route, the Pila valley basin forms a kind of natural balcony that extends over the peaks of the Aosta valley and it has facilities for various sporting activities: trekking, climbing, horse-riding, rafting on the Dora, fishing, golf and mountain biking in the summer; skiing, carving, freeride, downhill skiing, telemark and snowboarding in the winter.

After a morning spent skiing or on a mountain excursion, you may wish to attend a fitness course (either a soft exercise programme or stretching or water-gym) organized by the tourist consortium; L'Espace de Pila (phone 0165 521055). Those seeking something more, may wish to transfer to Pré St. Didier to discover the new spa centre, and take a dip in the open-air hot water spa pools. Those who seek a little relaxation may wish to enjoy a good Irish beer in a typical pub. At Pila, near the Baby Pila slope and the arrival point of the gondola cable car, is Gallagher's Pub, which also organizes Après-Ski entertainment with live music from 4.00 pm onwards.

A wonderful way to experience the mountains by night: dinner at one of the mountain hostels bordering the ski slopes, with a snowcat to take you there.

The local wines of Valle d'Aosta are few in number but of excellent quality, the vines grow under extreme climatic conditions with low but select yields, and for this reason have achieved many Doc awards. A visit to these mountain vineyards is not to be missed, the result of the painstaking efforts of man through the centuries, the vines climb over the mountain terraces in search of the little available warmth. The Aosta Route des vins extends over 45 kilometres in the mid Dora valley. From the basin of Saint-Vincent, sheltered and well cultivated, the section that follows Châtillon, so sun-exposed and dry as to permit the growth of Mediterranean flora; from the plain of Aosta, where the valley reaches its maximum width before rising into vine-covered hillsides, with pastures and woodland, intersecting the vineyards north of Sarre; from tree cultivation on the slopes of Saint-Nicolas, to the terraces of Arvier, known as Enfer because they are always exposed to the sun, in fact reaching very high temperatures in summer. For lunch, after visiting the social cellars of the valley it is possible to return to Aosta and accompany the fine local Aosta wines with the distinctive flavours of regional cuisine at the Forum Regional wine bar. You can also make a stop at the Institut Agricole Régional, a summer-school producing wines, cheese and fruit (on sale according to the season) and which also boasts certain experimental vines in an attempt to recreate the ancient valley vine stock.

A little shopping in the old town centre for some of the typical items, where you can buy an old door, a typical wooden goblet or a butter decorating spatula. A visit to the cloister of the monumental complex of Sant'Orso is not be missed, where you will have to try and guess what the 43 mediaeval sculpted capitals depict. If the weather is fine and the sky is clear, one of the best ways to approach the mountain peaks is by air balloon. The classic tour offers fantastic views of the highest mountains of Europe, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Cervino and Gran Paradiso. But even at night wonderful views are afforded thanks to the Saint-Barthélemy Astronomical observatory, 15 Km from Nus on the SS 26 state road, it is open (if booked) to visitors of all ages who will have the opportunity to enjoy a truly spectacular view of the limpid night sky.

Those staying in town can enjoy the delicious aperitifs and snacks offered by the Deorsola bar (via Gramsci 16), followed by an excellent pizza at the Grotta Azzurra, a highly popular restaurant (also with fish on the menu) in the town centre. For a cocktail, try the Caffè Nazionale (piazza Chanoux 9) open until late. Those who still have energy to burn may wish to try the Fashion Cafè disco in Quart.