Pila gears up for an exciting season with a new piste, new lift
Opening on 30th November, Pila is set for a 24/25 winter season marked with significant news and resort developments, including the opening of the new 10-seater ‘Couis 1’ gondola lift and a new slope connecting Couis 1 to Couis 2.
The new lift, which represents the second section of the Pila-Couis route, will replace the historic two-seater chairlift dating back to the late 1980s. The gondola is part of the Pila – Couis project, an advanced lift that will allow skiers to reach an altitude of 2,700 metres in just 15 minutes. Users will be able to enjoy a breathtaking panorama from the most iconic peaks of the Alps, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, the Grivola and Gran Paradiso, thanks to the ‘Stella del Couis’ panoramic refuge.
Beyond being a cableway construction, the project represents a breakthrough for ski and mountain bike enthusiasts, offering an improved sports experience for all levels and ages. Moreover, accessibility will also be guaranteed for those who simply wish to admire one of the most spectacular views of the Alps.
The project, designed by the architectural firm De Carlo – Gualla, stands out for its integrated approach to the environment. The new cableways and stations represent a combination of avant-garde architecture and engineering, characterised by the use of innovative materials and technologies, as well as a futuristic design specifically conceived for high altitudes.
The complete system envisages a 10-passenger gondola lift with automatic detachment in two sections, with two intermediate stations, which will connect the arrival station of the current Aosta-Pila gondola to the Platta de Grevon (Couis 1) area, located on the watershed between the Conca di Pila and the Cogne valley. The departure station in Pila, located at an altitude of 1,800 metres, will be equipped with an innovative service centre, while the arrival station upstream, with a special star-shaped design oriented towards the main Aosta Valley peaks, will house a panoramic bar-restaurant and services for the public.
Currently, three lifts and about 60 minutes are required to reach Couis 1 from Pila on skis. With the new infrastructure, it will be possible to access this point in only 30 minutes, starting directly from the centre of Aosta, with a difference in altitude of 2,200 metres.
Construction work on the Pila Gorraz starting station and intermediate station will begin and be completed during the spring and summer of 2025, with the inauguration of the entire facility scheduled for December 2025. Other significant innovations and updates include:
- Construction of a new ski slope (skiweg) connecting Couis 1 to Couis 2, equipped with a snowmaking system. This will allow access to all the slopes on the Couis 2 side from the arrival of the Couis 1 gondola. ( The Skiweg is marked with “R” on ski map)
- Expansion and improvement of the red slope n° 7 – Plan de L’Eyvie
- Functional adjustment of the black slope n° 8 – Tsa Creusa
- Opening of a new variant of the red slope n° 9 – Couis 1
For more information visit: https://pila.it/en/news-on-the-ski-slopes/
- New discounts on ski passes have been introduced:
- The 30% reduction on ski passes, hitherto reserved for children under 14 years of age, will be extended to 16 years of age.
- A new category of users is introduced: young skiers aged between 16 and 24, who will benefit from a 20% discount on the ski pass, compared to last year’s 12% for young people up to the age of 18.
- The promotion for accompanied children under-8s, who will be able to ski for free, and the 12% discount for the over-65s will remain unchanged.
Renowned for its excellent snow conditions due to the natural basin that surrounds our ski area, Pila is all about high skiing and lively après-ski. The average elevation (up to 2,800 meters above sea level) and north-facing slopes also shield the snow from direct sunlight, providing guests with unique and unparalleled skiing experiences. And with Aosta town just a 20-minute gondola ride away, there’s plenty more to see and do, too.
For more information on Aosta Valley’s Pila: https://aosta-valley.co.uk/destinations/pila/
