The Skiers' Guide to Pila

Pila is a hidden gem tucked away in Italy's Aosta Valley, just a short drive from Turin. This north-facing resort offers stunning panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, creating a spectacular backdrop for your skiing adventure. With an elevation spanning from 1765m to 2709m, Pila benefits from reliable snow conditions throughout the season.

The resort is easily accessible via a quick gondola ride from the historic town of Aosta or a 17km winding mountain road (approximately 2 hours transfer from Turin). Our Snomad community rates Pila with an overall rating of 4.24/5, particularly impressing with its value for money (4.56/5), groomed runs (4.60/5), and family-friendliness (4.54/5).

Pila offers 38 well-maintained pistes covering a good mix of abilities with 6 beginner runs, 27 intermediate runs, and 5 advanced runs. The lift system includes 2 gondolas, 9 chairlifts, and 4 drag lifts that efficiently transport skiers around the mountain.

The resort particularly shines for intermediates (4.59/5), with wide, cruisy runs that make the most of the natural undulating terrain. One Snomad community member liked that "the piste profile at Pila favours the intermediate to advanced skier/snowboarder as the 2 blue to 15 red and 5 Black runs suggests. The use of the natural topography makes for fun runs of decent length and tree lines to add interest."

For beginners, Pila provides excellent progression opportunities. As John, an expert skier, notes, "Pila is a great ski area for beginners and families... The newly added gondola to the top of the mountain has really opened up the ski area and gives the option for beginners to see the views from the top, which are stunning."

Advanced skiers will find challenges with the off-piste options (3.40/5) and powder zones (3.40/5). A user who is an advanced snowboarder said, "Off-piste areas off the Grimondet chair were perfect for aspiring powder skiers." The resort also offers tree skiing (3.55/5) opportunities and some mogul fields (2.30/5).

The resort's north-facing aspect helps maintain snow quality, with David, an expert skier, mentioning that "fresh tracks can be found days after the last snowfall!"

Pila receives 3.71/5 for eating out, offering authentic Italian cuisine at reasonable prices. The mountain restaurants serve delicious food without the premium prices found in some Alpine resorts.

Our reviewers mention that there are "plenty of cafe/bars on the slopes that are so well priced." Mike, an expert skier, recommends the "Hermitage restaurant on mountain" while another user highlights Cafe Societe on run No. 6 as being "rather nice & a bit posh!"

In the resort itself, dining options are more limited but of good quality. As Ronald notes, "Food... it's Italy... it's amazing!" For more variety, many visitors take the gondola down to Aosta, where you'll find numerous restaurants and bars serving traditional Italian cuisine. One reviewer specifically recommends "Bataclan in Aosta is an absolute MUST."

Pila scores 2.96/5 for après-ski, reflecting its quieter, more relaxed approach to post-ski entertainment. This isn't a resort for wild nightlife but rather one that focuses on the skiing experience.

The majority of users think the après scene is fairly low-key. One advanced skier notes, "Apres ski is not a strength, so may not suit all but perfect for those who want to focus on the skiing." Another mentions, "Not much apres but that's fine for my group at age 40ish."

The Yeti Bar at the middle station is highlighted as having "real character" by Adam, an expert skier. For those seeking more evening entertainment, staying in Aosta provides additional options, with Tim suggesting: "Want a bit more night life - Stay in Aosta."

Italian-style aperitivo (drinks with complimentary snacks) is popular in the area, offering a more relaxed alternative to the high-energy après scenes found in some Alpine resorts.

Pila excels for families, earning an impressive 4.54/5 for family friendliness. The resort's compact layout, quiet slopes, and excellent progression from beginner to intermediate terrain make it ideal for family skiing holidays.

Caroline, an intermediate snowboarder, shares: "Pila is great for first time skiers/snowboarders, particularly those with kids. Most of the accommodation is ski in/ski out and close to the ski school, no buses to the lifts here! Ski school instructors were fantastic and both my kids were up on the main slopes after their first ever ski lesson."

The ski school quality (4.51/5) receives consistent praise from parents. James, an intermediate snowboarder, describes the Evolution ski school as "by far the best I have seen in my many ski trips. They kept the kids safe and injury free whilst ensuring that they progressed well."

For beginners (3.50/5), there are dedicated learning areas and a good progression of slopes. Ken remembers Pila as "The place they got me confident on skis" and considers it "worthwhile a visit for beginner slopes and early development for sure."

Pila offers 3.94/5 for accommodation options, with two main choices for visitors: staying in Pila itself or in the valley town of Aosta.

In Pila, accommodation tends to be ski-in/ski-out, making it convenient for families and those who prioritise maximum time on the slopes. Grant describes the accommodation as "pretty basic however the hotels are cosy and mostly ski in ski out. The food has always been good and plentiful."

Some reviewers note that accommodation in Pila can be dated, with one advanced skier commenting: "Accommodation extremely dated. Would recommend staying lower in the valley at Aosta." This appears to be a common sentiment, with several users suggesting Aosta as a more affordable and varied option.

Staying in Aosta provides a wider range of accommodation choices and price points, plus access to more restaurants, shops and cultural attractions. The gondola connection makes it relatively easy to access the slopes each day. As Jonathan points out, "Hotels are good value and as always skiing in Italy is reasonable and value for money."

Pila's environmental initiatives focus primarily on its efficient lift system and connection to Aosta, which reduces the need for car travel to the slopes. The gondola from Aosta serves as an effective public transport link, allowing visitors to stay in the valley and commute to ski without using private vehicles.

The resort's compact nature and north-facing slopes help minimise the need for extensive snowmaking, naturally conserving water and energy resources. However, specific information about Pila's sustainability efforts, such as renewable energy use or waste reduction programs, is limited in public materials.

The preservation of the natural tree-lined runs and the careful integration of ski infrastructure within the existing landscape demonstrate some consideration for the local environment, though there appears to be room for more visible sustainability initiatives.