Pila alpine ski area

Pila is a managed alpine ski area in Gressan above Aosta. The operator places the village around 1,800 m and describes upper skiing around 2,700 m, with beginner areas at Baby Gorraz and Grimod and more demanding terrain around Chamolé, Couis and Platta de Grevon. These are broad operator descriptions, not a recommendation that every route suits a particular skier. Choose the open marked piste and local grade on site; the scope here excludes off-piste, freeride and ski-mountaineering itineraries.

Conflicting sources: the undated ski-area overview advertises 70 km and four black, 21 red and four blue runs, while the status page lists 38 pistes with six black, 24 red and eight blue. These are different published inventories, not a reconciled current count. Community way segments are not pistes, and the map does not convert generic community difficulty into local colours.

Historical: the individual status rows and zero-open counters carry a last-update label of 4 May 2026 at 08:00. They provide useful named references but do not prove skiing closure or opening on 30 October 2026. The genuine photograph is from 8 December 2010 and does not establish the present lift footprint or snow. Confirm current grooming, closures and the chosen descent with staff before boarding.

The Aosta–Pila gondola is the valley approach; the operator describes a journey of about 18 minutes to the resort. Pila’s published timetable separately lists the Pila–Couis gondola, Gorraz–Grand Grimod cable car, Chamolé, Nouva, Leissé, Grimondet, Grimod and Couis 2 chairlifts and the beginner conveyors. Do not treat a scenic gondola ticket or a community line as permission to ski, or assume every upper connection is included in a beginner product.

Unconfirmed: the homepage’s planned skiing period is 28 November 2026–11 April 2027, subject to snow. It separately plans Aosta–Pila and Pila–Stella gondola operation until 2 May 2027. Management’s regulations make all season dates indicative, with weather, snow, safety and maintenance affecting operation. The longer transport season is not confirmation of skiing through 2 May.

Conflicting sources: the timetable introduction starts the day at 08:25, while its Aosta–Pila lift table gives 08:15–17:30. The table lists 08:45–16:45 for Pila–Couis, Gorraz–Grand Grimod, Chamolé, Nouva and Leissé, and 09:00–16:30 for Grimondet, Grimod and Couis 2. These are published planning hours, not live boarding promises. Follow the actual station notices and ask for the last suitable return before entering a higher sector.

Unconfirmed: exact equivalence between Pila–Stella, Pila–Couis and the differently named or segmented routes on the old status table and community data has not been independently reconciled. Uncertain new or replaced alignments are omitted from the map. The four-hour pass starts at first lift entry, and the operator explicitly permits the Pila-to-Aosta gondola return after those four hours; this does not extend an actual last departure.

The operator gives Strada Ponte Suaz, 4, 11100 Aosta as the valley gondola approach and describes an underpass connection from the railway-station area. Alternatively, follow the signed Gressan–Pila mountain road to the village. The A5 approach uses Aosta Est and signs for Pollein–Charvensod–Pila. Plan winter equipment and current road conditions; the operator’s estimated road and walking times are not accessibility or arrival guarantees.

The timetable lists free, unsupervised skier parking at the Aosta departure without a stated time limit. At Pila gondola-arrival parking it lists the first 30 minutes free, EUR 1 per hour for one to three hours, EUR 0.50 per hour beyond four hours and a EUR 10 daily maximum. The exact treatment of the transition intervals is not explained. Check the current signs and tariff before entering; a listing does not reserve a space or establish overnight permission.

Historical: the arrival page’s free Gressan–Pila holiday ski-bus periods are 26 December 2025–6 January 2026 and 16–22 February 2026. They are not a 2026/27 shuttle calendar. The same page’s general train-route wording does not establish that a through train is running on your chosen date.

Unconfirmed: a final 2026/27 holiday shuttle, current Aosta–Pila minibus timetable and fare, last return, dated railway replacement arrangements and airport transfer availability are not established by the reviewed arrival page. It points to SVAP, Arriva, FlixBus and transfer providers; check the actual carrier and travel date. The underpass reference and discounted disability tickets do not establish a continuous step-free transfer or adapted lift loading.

The operator’s 28 November 2026–11 April 2027 daily tariff lists an adult four-hour pass at EUR 55 and one day at EUR 60. One-day amounts are EUR 15.50 for an unaccompanied under-eight junior, EUR 42 for under-16 juniors, EUR 48 for under-24 young skiers and EUR 53 for seniors. The corresponding four-hour figures are EUR 14, 39, 44 and 48. These are dated published tariffs; online amounts may vary by period and the chosen product must be checked before payment.

The same table gives birth-date tests: after 31 October 2018 for the under-eight category, after 31 October 2010 for under-16, after 31 October 2002 for under-24 and before 31 May 1962 for seniors. An under-eight child is free only with the required concurrently purchased qualifying adult or young person’s pass; a free child still needs the appropriate ticket. Bring eligibility documents rather than relying on an age label alone.

The restricted beginner product is listed at EUR 36 for four hours or EUR 41 for one adult day. Its stated facilities are Aosta–Pila, Pila–Gorraz and Baby Gorraz/Baby Pila 1 and 2. This is not an all-mountain pass or evidence that the named facilities are operating. New chip cards cost EUR 2, described as non-refundable in the sale rules; reusability across the valley does not make a Pila ticket valid at every resort.

The operator lists optional Snowcare at EUR 3.50 per day and on-piste rescue at EUR 200, with additional specialist/helicopter charges described separately. Check the actual policy’s exclusions and cover. Its regulations restrict refunds for closures, non-use and personal circumstances, subject to mandatory law, and make passes personal. Eligible visitors with at least 67% documented disability receive a listed 50% daily/multiday reduction at the ticket office; the accompanying-person reduction requires the stated certificate/card entitlement. No stock, final payment or individual eligibility is guaranteed.

Ski under control, leave room for downhill users, look both ways before entering or restarting and stop only where you remain visible. Give way to working and rescue vehicles. Obey ropes, signs, staff instructions and the current local grade. The regulations say patrol covers open marked pistes and finishes with the last inspection; an old map line or the nominal 15-minute piste-closing interval is not permission to enter a closed descent or remain after patrol.

Conflicting sources: the general safety page still describes helmets as compulsory for under-18s, while the current general transport regulations require a protective helmet for all skiers. Wear a helmet and follow the stricter current operator instruction. Those regulations also require valid third-party liability insurance and prohibit skiing under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This guide does not substitute its summary for the actual current rules.

Walking on and climbing ski pistes are prohibited except for the stated urgent-need or specifically authorised edge exceptions. Do not infer uphill permission from the separate ski-mountaineering page or from a closed piste. Off-piste terrain is unmarked and unprotected in the operator regulations; it is excluded from this managed-alpine guide and community map. No mapped connection guarantees avalanche control, safe passage or access beyond the boundary.

In an emergency call 112, as stated in the operator’s mountain-safety guidance, and give your precise location, incident and number of people. Alert resort staff on site. The resort advertises a rescue team and trauma centre, but no response-time, helicopter availability or complete medical cover is guaranteed. Check that insurance covers the listed EUR 200 piste rescue and any separately charged specialist evacuation; do not use the information desk as an emergency substitute.

The operator lists Pila Ski School and Evolution Ski School for private and group lessons, with racing and family options. Confirm the age, ability, language, exact meeting point and whether a lesson includes lifts or equipment before booking. Beginner instruction should match the actual restricted ticket and conveyor area; a school’s wider list of activities is not permission to use off-piste routes.

The rental directory separates village shops from Gal Sport’s Aosta location at Via Paravera 6/A. It lists skis, snowboards, boots and workshop services, with shops including La Roccia, La Soletta, Noleggio dei Maestri, Plan Bois, Riccardo Sport, Evorental and Gal Sport. Reserve the actual equipment size, helmet and collection/return place. A directory listing does not establish current stock or a complete package price.

The published locker timetable is 07:30–18:15 during winter, separate from lift return times. Confirm access to your exact locker, boot-drying arrangement and collection time before leaving equipment. The resort information/ticket office is listed at +39 0165 521148 and info@pila.it; the tourist consortium at +39 0165 521055 and info@pilaturismo.it. These routine contacts do not replace emergency 112.

Unconfirmed: current lesson places, rental stock, medical-centre opening, food-outlet hours and an individually suitable accessible itinerary are not established by the general service listings. Discuss mobility, transfer, loading, equipment and assistance directly with the operator and chosen provider before booking. A disability discount is a ticket rule, not evidence that a particular lift, underpass or route can meet your needs.