Cogne and it's 4 adjacent valleys are set in a stupendous, away-from-it-all setting. Towering 4000m peaks around, glaciers, superb wildlife as you are in a National Park. It's the only place I have skied in the Alps where you see chamois on the pistes and eagles soaring.
The main village has a very authentic feel, full of excellent and reasonable places to eat and shop. Parking is easy and practical, especially down by the river with lifts up to the church area.
The other villages are also stunning, Lillaz is in an amazing location, do not miss walking up the Urtier or Valeille valleys, winter or summer. No cars, nobody, frozen waterfalls, high altitude pastures in summer; stunning.
On the other side of Cogne go to Valnontey and walk (very flat) to the foot of the Gran Paradiso glaciers. Do not miss Grauson or Arpisson in summer. The view from Gimillan is the one to not miss. Lunch at the Belvedere terrace is wonderful in sunny weather.
ski:
downhill has a (very) beginner slope in the heart of the village, along children playground. Great sunny place with stunning setting.
Main area lift is at the top end of the village. About 10kms of pistes, of red to red+ grading, north facing, in the trees, 700m drop, three lifts. Excellent in good conditions, no queues ever. Worth a visit for a couple of days, limited for more. There has been talk for a link with Pila for ever. maybe one day...that would be perfect as Cogne has the luxurious hotel infrastructure and is THE place to stay around.
Takes 40mins drive to get to Pila Gondola in Aosta, and 1h to La Thuile which is the best area around within an hour.
Cross-country skiing: they are hosting the 2019 World Cup which is a pretty good résumé!
Awesome terrain, long loops up to 80kms, never far from civilisation but a wild feeling nevertheless. Excellent centralarea right in the village for less adventurous. Trees, 200m drops max,and stunning scenery taking in those empty side valleys mentioned above. Fantastic.
Overall Cogne is a family, sporty resort for lovers of big outdoors. Not a 100% skiing destination, but offers an excellent varied mix of activities and beauty, summer and winter.
Italian and French the 2 local languages. English is spoken.
Good food and fine wines from Piemont. No ugly buildings.
I have been there 15 years in a row and will return!
