UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
I went to BSM with the White Room ages ago. I’ve convinced the family that it was lovely and we should do a week in the area before a week in Morzine.
Eldest son and I will sneak out for some little lift-assisted rides but what non-riding things should we not miss out on in the area?
I'm thinking lift-assisted walks, waterfalls, lakes, lovely places to get food and drink.
We’re on BSM for 4 days then heading over to near Courmeyeur for 3 days.
We’ll definitely be heading into Val Ferret and I remember an amazing pizza place in La Thuile. But apart from that…?
On a clear day lift up to Aiguille rouge, dare yourself to look down through the metal grids of the platform, walk in the snow. Lovely restaurant at base of AR lift, grand views. Walk down or zipline down option.
Raft the Isere (q full on!).
Bourg has a large swimmingpool.
Cycle to Aime on the cycle path, swim in the lake, hire paddle board or go a little further to pump track.
Various options for Via ferrata.
Vanoise express, has glass floor section.
Courmet the Roselind, exciting drive, very pretty valley, nice easy walking or as extensive as you may wish.
Take the bus to the Col du Petit St Bernard ,(+/- bike!) explore the old hospital, last time there the Nepalese chef made amazing food. Nice walks around the lake.
Aosta city centre is surpisingly nice with impressive Roman remains.
https://www.passaportodifamiglia.com/en/italy/valle-d-aosta-en/excursion-refuge-mont-fallere-vetan/
Vetan sculpture trail
Depends on how old the rest of the family is but our young-uns liked parc ecuriels just up the valley a bit (french style) go ape course. There's plenty to do up in Tignes if you wanted a day out or up in Arc 1800.
Aosta itself is a cracking little town with loads of nice places to eat. Rumour has it the museum is good.
The lift now goes beyond Pila right up to Stella di Pila where theres a stunning new restaurant etc - its on our list when we revisit in the summer (was dead quiet last week): Stella di Pila - Valle d'Aosta
Can't help with the Aosta end of things, but around Bourg:-
Watersports centre at Landry - all kinds of activities.
Via Ferrata - Les Bettiers (top of Peisey Valley), Roc Du Vent up the top of the Cormet du Roseland, and there's 2 up at La Daille/Val D'Isere (both of which are kinda exciting!)
Walking - Vanoise national Park is stunning (top of the Peisey Valley again) - walk up to Refuge Entre Les Lacs for a snack. 5 Lakes walk on the N. side of Bourg (from Fort de la Platte) - the drive up is exciting if your car is low... Sassiere is good walking too, although getting pretty wild.
Cheese Co-op/Museum in Bourg is worth a bit of time on a rainy day (or the one over in Beaufort)
Les Arcs seems to have quite a few summer activities on in various places too.
https://www.passaportodifamiglia.com/en/italy/valle-d-aosta-en/excursion-refuge-mont-fallere-vetan/
Vetan sculpture trail
We rode up to this refugio last week (and the year before and rode down which was epic). Not sure what the walk up is like but the wooden sculptures everywhere are very cool and the refugio itself is an amazing place with epic views and incredible food.
Thanks for the replies folks, I haven't been able to see this thread for a while - just very slow loading!
Sounds like we've got some good places to look for - especially the cheese museum!
If history is your thing you might enjoy the Castello Reale Di Sarre just down the valley from Aosta. It was the summer lodging of the Savoy duke who became the first king of Italy. It's plain to see how as a dynasty they were so shite (only four of them before they were kicked out) when you look at the grotesque hunting trophies on view, he really wasn't brought up to do anything useful whatsoever.
Up the valley you can admire the mental south face of Montblanc, maybe walk the path up from Peutrey for an hour to where the ladders start.
