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Gressoney's
winter wonderland
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| We
go to Gressoney for an eclectic mix of winter sport
and culture for a holiday to suit all tastes |
 Lying
under the protective gaze of Monte
Rosa, the picturesque towns of Gressoney,
Gressoney-Saint-Jean
and Gressoney-la-Trinité,
once united under the same council administration,
welcome us into the Valle del Lys. There
is a difference in height of around 300 metres between
the towns. 300 metres of breathtaking landscape,
ski runs, history, tradition and culture. This is
the home of the Walser
people, an ethnic group which speak Titsch,
an ancient form of the Alemannian dialect. The Walsers
were of ancient Germanic descent and had an in-built
sense of business -to the extent that the valley
where they settled became known locally as Krämertal,
Valley of the Merchants. The Walsers have kept their
German roots intact and their dialect is still taught
in schools on a par with Italian.
These mountains were also a favourite haunt of Queen
Margherita of Italy who had Castello
Savoia built in the area between 1900 and 1904.
The ornate mansion is the only modern castle in
the Val d'Aosta and was bought by the regional administration
in 1981. Throughout the year it hosts a series of
cultural initiatives and events and gardening enthusiasts
will enjoy a walk in its rockery, home to
a number of rare alpine shrubs and plants. The views
from the castle are breath-taking and on a clear
day you can see the Lyskam glacier.
Gressoney's winter wonderland
Are you a snow fiend? Then Gressoney is the place
for you. There's a 25 km cross-country
circuit (one of the longest in the Val d’Aosta),
while downhill skiers will delight in the 180
kms of runs spread throughout the Monte
Rosa area (Val d’Ayas, Valle di Gressoney
and Valsesia). A day's ski-pass costs around 30
Euros: somewhat expensive but valid for all
the runs in the area (including connections between
valleys). A ski-pass for Gressoney costs from 13
Euros in La Trinité to 20 Euros
in Saint-Jean. Those of you who prefer to stay off
the snow can still keep fit on the ice-skating
rinks at the Bar Sport in Saint-Jean (tel. +39-0125-355455)
and at the Sport Hus in La Trinité (tel.
+39-0125-366297).
Fairytale castles
Keep some time on your way back for a tour around
some of Val d'Aosta's castles.
With your map
at the ready make your way down the valley towards
Pont Saint Martin. Once you've past Saint Vincent
keep your eyes open for Bard
Fortress and Verres
Castle, a military fortress from the Gothic
period. If you are in the area between February
9th and 12th then don't miss the
Carnival at Verres when Princess Caterina is crowned
and dances with the common people.
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ELENA
GUARNERI |
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Jan.
14th, 2002
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
