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I've got an opportunity to go to Pila this weekend. However, having had a look at various videos it doesn't look quite what I expected. Basically, it really doesn't look very technical. Maybe famous last words, but it almost looks a bit easy. Has anyone been who could let me know what the riding's like? Are there any technical trails there or is it just big berms everywhere?
It sounds like we will be going to La Thuile for a day which looks more like the sort of thing I like. I will be on a DH bike which I hope will be ok for both
Cheers
Ridden both.
Plenty of technical at Pila, World Cup down hill is very tough in sections. The trip down to Aosta is also very good (lots of different options, some more technical than others) and the length of it makes it tougher.
La Thule is great, but no where near as tough. IMO
Surprised to be disappointed by a return to Pila last week. It was very dusty and bumpy. It's mostly superfast flow with some jumps, and a couple of super technical sections. It looks like (idle speculation) it hasn't necessarily had a lot of maintenance/new building in the last few years. We binned it after a day and headed elsewhere.
Thanks both, one more question, does it work ok to stay in Aosta? From what I can tell not too much accommodation available in Pila itself
It was getting cut up and very dusty when we called for a couple of days a few weeks ago. An alternative down to Aosta is 21B. Aosta would be my choice to stay rather than up the mountain. We stayed with the camper on the Camping International site as they had a pool to cool down in.
We had a days guiding with Aosta Freeride, they aren't cheap but it was well worth it for the guiding and van uplifts although there was still alot of climbing to get to the top. Our day was on the opposite side of the valley from Pila coming down some stuff off the Grand St Bernards pass to the valley bottom and then back up for different trails. We enjoyed La Thuile, the trails are alot different to Aosta but not that far away time wise if you use the toll road.
Def stay in Aosta rather than Pila, partly because the gondola starts in Aosta anyway so saves you the surprisingly long drive up, partly because, as everyone above says, the trail from Pila to Aosta is great, but mostly because you'll get way better pizza and aperitivo down in Aosta and what's the point of being in Italy if you don't eat well?
I'd say there's a lot more tech in La Thuile than in Pila, but caveat it with the iXS course in Pila, which if you can hit all the fastest lines you are most definitely on it for tech riding!
Thanks everyone, sounds like the area has enough to suit me for a few days
Yeah stay in aosta. The run down wasn't brilliant this year, it's good but I didn't love the 2 foot deep sand piles!
There are tech sections in the bike park but very hard - and la thuile is very good if you like tech.
Also get trail forks on your phone - hike up the path from the top of the cable car and there are a few off piste descents to do. We hiked to the very top of the ridge line this year and dropped off that, cracking run down.
Was there few weeks ago really enjoyed it!
Ice cream at the end of each run at La Thuile 😮