 Courmayeur, Plan Checrouit The area highlighted here is called plan Checrouit, and is the arrival point of the big cable car which runs from Courmayeur. This is the point where the majority of skiers will start and finish their day. Right at the bottom of the chair lifts you will find a selection of restaurants and the ski rental and deposit points. Naturally there are ski rental shops in town as well as just opposite the start of the cable car. When you are all fed and kitted out, you can, thanks to a highly efficient and well connected lift system, explore as much of the extensive skiing available on this mountain as talent and fitness allows. There are two chair lifts and a new gondola departing from near this cable car. Each one leads to different areas on this side of the mountain. If one wants to start skiing from the highest point on this mountain, then take the left chair lift or the gondola.From here you can ski back, or connect to the Youla cable car. If you want to ski back down to Plan Checrouit or over to the Val Veny side of the action, then take the right chair. Either way it is still possible to return to Plan Chechrouit. Here's a word to the wise. Some of these runs returning to Checrouit are marked as green, or very easy. This writer,personally does not agree. You should have at least some basic skills and confidence to negotiate them safely. If you do not feel confident enough to ski back doen,it is possible once you have enjoyed the small beginner's section near the top of the left hand chair, to return to Checrouit by riding the same chair lift back down. The ski runs to the right of the right hand chair lift provide a nice intermediate section that many blossoming skiers will enjoy. The left hand side is more open and is less prone to sizable moguls. These are both good sections for skiers learing the sport. Getting back again to the right hand chair, it is easy to ski to the chair lift on the left hand side about a quarter of the way down on your way to Plan Chechrouit. Take this and it will deposit you near the top of the Zerotta chair lift. From there you can ski all of the Val Veny side of the mountain. All of the skiing mentioned here is skiing is also reached from the smaller gondola from Dolonne. Although technically it is possible for one to ski down to Courmayeur, it is not advisable except for the very best skiers and then only under the very best of conditions. This is a very difficult and treacherous piece of property. Far better to do what 99.9% of the people do at least 99.9% of the time. Take the cable car back. |