I was here for a visit just before the holiday season of 2007/08 and found that all things are perfect for skiers and snowboarders in Courmayeur. The snow conditions are perfect and the weather is glorious. But wait! There seems to be a huge missing ingredient; people. There is virtually nobody in the village. What few skiers there are have the slopes almost to themselves. With perfect powder skiing conditions, blazing sunshine on a cold winter’s day, and empty slopes, Courmayeur becomes a skier’s paradise. But where are the people? Why do the hoteliers, the marketers of Courmayeur not take advantage of these near utopian winter conditions and market the village as a pre-season skier’s heaven? Why is there no Monte Bianco ski week? Why are there not at least local promotions selling this skier’s wonderland? Why not help winter sports enthusiasts experience the euphoria that is Courmayeur?

One does not dare get into a situation where one is pointing out these weaknesses. If many local accommodation and travel suppliers simply do not open much before Christmas who am I to argue? Sorry skiers of the world, you will just have to go to more “tuned in” resorts.

Yes there is a slight problem if you fly into Geneva and need to make your way on the one hour journey to Courmayeur. But you can overcome that. Pre arrangement for a transfer is easy and affordable; car rental is an option. Whatever it is a workable situation; get there. There are also other airports; Milan has two, Aosta one, Turin one and so on. The Monte Bianco world is your oyster. Get to Courmayeur in the off season. Mont Blanc waits.

Courmayeur is through the Mont Blanc tunnel from the famous French resort of Chamonix. It is not far (one and a half hours) from Milan and about the same from Turin.