Overview
Courmayeur is the main town on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, in the Aosta Valley. The village has a car-free centre with stone houses, boutiques and cafés, and two long valleys, Val Veny and Val Ferret, run alongside the Mont Blanc massif.
The Skyway Monte Bianco cable car rises to Punta Helbronner at about 3,466 m, where a viewing terrace looks over glaciers and peaks, and walkers use the valleys for gentle trails to lakes and huts. The Tour du Mont Blanc passes through, and the Mont Blanc road tunnel links Courmayeur with Chamonix in France.
Highlights
- The Skyway Monte Bianco cable car to Punta Helbronner
- Val Veny, with lakes, glaciers and meadows
- Val Ferret and walks beneath the Grandes Jorasses
- The Tour du Mont Blanc and short sections for day walkers
Best time to visit
Late June to September is the main walking season, and July and August are the busiest. Autumn is clear and cool, with larch colour in October. Winter ski season runs from December to April.
- JanJanuary: Not ideal
- FebFebruary: Not ideal
- MarMarch: Not ideal
- AprApril: Not ideal
- MayMay: Good
- JunJune: Best
- JulJuly: Best
- AugAugust: Best
- SepSeptember: Best
- OctOctober: Good
- NovNovember: Not ideal
- DecDecember: Not ideal
● Best · ○ Good · blank: not ideal. Conditions vary by year, so check local forecasts and access before you go.
Getting there
Fly to Geneva (GVA) and drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, about 1.5 hours, or fly to Turin (TRN) and drive about two hours. Buses run from Geneva and Turin. Local buses link the villages and valleys in summer.
What to expect
Moderate. Many paths in the valleys are gentle, and cable cars reduce the effort for high-altitude views. Mountain weather changes quickly, so carry layers. Glacier travel needs a qualified guide.
Practical tips
- Check the Skyway and lift schedules, as they close for maintenance in some months.
- Take warm layers: Punta Helbronner is cold even in summer.
- Do not leave marked paths onto glaciers without a guide.
- Book lodging early for July, August and winter holidays.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Courmayeur from Chamonix?
By bus or car through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Is the Skyway worth it?
Yes, for views of Mont Blanc and the glaciers, as long as the weather is clear.
Can I see the Matterhorn from Courmayeur?
No, but you can see Mont Blanc and several of its neighbours.
Official sources
Rules, fees, permits and conditions change. Check the official pages below before you travel.
Last reviewed October 2026. Details are for planning only and can change; confirm access, permits and conditions with official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Photography: Rémih (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
