Pila, record summer season: turnover up 116%. New features for winter 2026/2027

A record summer for Pila, which, with the season still under way, is recording particularly significant growth across all the main indicators. Compared with the same period in 2025, turnover has risen by 116%, while visitor numbers have increased by 86%.

The figures are still provisional, as the summer lifts will remain in operation until 13 September, but they confirm the success of the strategy pursued by the resort in Valle d’Aosta. The result was supported by the new Pila–Stella cable car, the expansion of the offering for hikers and bikers, and closer integration between the mountain and the city of Aosta.

The Pila–Stella cable car opens the high mountains to a wider audience

The main new feature of summer 2026 was the seasonal debut of the Pila–Stella cable car. The lift provides rapid access to an altitude of 2,723 metres, making a panoramic mountain area accessible even to less well-trained visitors. Previously, it was mainly frequented by more experienced hikers.

The new infrastructure has enhanced the Alta Balconata di Pila, a 17.7 km panoramic route that also includes easily accessible ridge sections. The possibility of travelling directly from the centre of Aosta and reaching high altitude in around 30 minutes by cable car has also encouraged a tourism offering that combines a visit to the city with a mountain experience on the same day.

According to Pila, the opening of Stella has significantly broadened the destination’s audience. Alongside mountain bikers and regular hikers, visitors have arrived who are primarily interested in the scenery, cooler temperatures and the opportunity to experience the high mountains without tackling technically demanding routes.

Pila’s Bike Park reaches 17 trails and 55 kilometres

Growth has been particularly strong in the two-wheeled offering. With the opening of four new trails served by the Stella cable car, the Pila Bike Park now has 17 trails covering a total of 55 kilometres.

New additions include the red downhill track La Stella, intended for more experienced riders. Those wishing to take up mountain biking without yet having advanced technical skills can use a farm road classified as a white route.

The offering therefore includes gravity, enduro and e-bike trails, with different levels of difficulty. The aim is to enable both well-trained athletes and beginners and families to find an experience suited to their abilities.

Experience Park: 185 km of trails and accessible routes

Another central element of the summer offering is the Experience Park, a project funded through the Bando Montagna Italia. The hiking network has been expanded with 185 km of trails, 31 new routes and 44 themed experiences.

Particular attention has been paid to accessibility: 11 routes and 26 experiences have been designed to be enjoyed by people with mobility impairments.

The diversification of the offering has enabled Pila to move beyond its traditional positioning linked to winter skiing and mountain biking, also attracting those seeking panoramic walks, activities in nature and opportunities to spend a day at altitude.

Cooperation between Pila and Aosta

The season’s results were also supported by favourable weather conditions during the central months of summer and a promotional strategy aimed both at the Italian market and at foreign tourists passing through Valle d’Aosta.

The communications campaign focused in particular on the link between Aosta and Pila. Digital promotion was complemented by a presence in the historic centre of the Aosta Valley capital, with the aim of encouraging residents and tourists to continue their day by reaching the resort by cable car.

According to operators, cooperation between Pila SpA, the Consorzio Turistico and the accommodation facilities at altitude was also decisive. The synergy was designed to present the destination as a unified system and offer integrated experiences combining the city, hospitality and the mountains.

The president of Pila SpA, Davide Vuillermoz, emphasises that Stella represents much more than a new lift: the connection has brought a wider audience closer to the high mountains and is the first tangible result of a strategy that will be developed together with the operators in the ski area.

Winter 2026/2027: ski season until 11 April

Pila has meanwhile presented the first details for the 2026/2027 winter season. The ski area will remain open until 11 April 2027, while the Aosta–Pila–Stella cable car will continue operating until 2 May.

The extended opening will make it possible to reach high altitude even in the weeks after the end of the ski season, enhancing the spring period and activities not necessarily linked to skiing.

Ski pass on smartphones and cardless access

One of the winter’s main new features will concern access to the lifts. Thanks to technology developed by Skidata, smartphones will be able to replace the traditional physical card for certain types of ski pass.

The new sMove gates and Mobile Flow technology will allow visitors to purchase their ticket online and pass through the turnstiles while keeping their phone in their pocket, without going to the ticket offices or collecting a card.

The system will debut during the 2026/2027 season on some of the available ticket options and will be progressively extended in subsequent years.

A new 150,000-cubic-metre reservoir at Leissé

Planned investments also include the construction of the new artificial Leissé reservoir, with a capacity of 150,000 cubic metres.

The facility will make it possible to store water during periods of greater natural availability and use it in winter to supply the snowmaking system. According to Pila, the system will allow snow to be produced with greater energy efficiency, without using chemical additives.

When the snow melts in spring, the water used for snowmaking will therefore return to the natural water cycle.

 

Unchanged price for the season ski pass purchased in advance

Pila has also announced a decision regarding its pricing policy. The price of the season ski pass purchased in advance will remain unchanged from the previous season.

The decision is aimed particularly at regular visitors to the ski area, second-home owners and the skiing community that chooses Pila throughout the winter.

Following the summer’s results, the resort in Valle d’Aosta is now preparing for the new season, focusing on continuity in the connection with Aosta, digital innovation and the strengthening of infrastructure for snow management.