Photo • 2026 • Alpine Photography

Aosta Valley 2026

Camera: Fujifilm XS20, iPhone 17 Pro Max
Video: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, Fujifilm XS20, iPhone 17 Pro Max
Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom
Format: Square (1:1)

Overview

A week-long photographic journey through the Aosta Valley - Italy's hidden alpine gem. Unlike my previous resort-based trips, this expedition was about immersion: staying in a central location, exploring the local culture, and experiencing three distinct ski areas all within 30 minutes of Aosta town.

The Alps have always drawn me as a photographer. The environment is inherently bright and colourful - crisp mountain air, brilliant snow, and those distinctive alpine hues that shift throughout the day. Having skied since I was four, these mountains feel like home, and waking early each morning to drive to a new resort became part of the creative rhythm of the trip.

The Experience

We chose the Aosta Valley based on a friend's recommendation, and it exceeded every expectation. The luxury of Courmayeur, the sun-kissed runs of La Thuile, and the sheer convenience of Pila - each resort offered its own character. La Thuile gave us the novelty of skiing over to La Rosiere in France, where we stopped for lunch despite challenging weather conditions.

Aosta itself is a gem - a town with authentic Italian charm, exceptional food, vibrant bars, and crucially, none of the tourist saturation that defines France's powerhouse resorts. On some days, the slopes were remarkably empty. Only locals seemed to know these places, and the contrast to resorts like Val d'Isere or Courchevel is striking - not just in price, but in atmosphere. The skiing quality matched or surpassed those famous names, all while being just an hour from Turin airport with far more reasonable accommodation costs.