Torgnon, Cervino Valley

The ski area offers 25 km of alpine ski runs, all covered by snowmaking, and extends from 1,515 metres at Mongnod to 2,246 metres at Collet. Torgnon is part of the Cervino Ski Paradise offering, but it is not connected by ski to Valtournenche and Breuil-Cervinia: it is therefore an independent ski area, designed above all for peaceful days on the snow and family holidays.

From the village, the eight-seater Mongnod-Chantorné gondola quickly reaches the Chantorné basin, at around 1,870 metres, where ski schools, restaurants, services and children’s areas are concentrated. From here, the other lifts provide access to the ski area among larch forests and open slopes.

The runs are mainly blue and red, wide and with consistent gradients. The Chantorné sector is suitable for beginners, families and skiers improving their technique, while the runs served by the Collet chairlift are longer and more varied. Runs such as Collet, Tronc, Larici and Fontin allow intermediate skiers to alternate fast turns, panoramic sections and passages through the forest.

More experienced skiers can tackle the Collet black run and the more demanding variants in the Fontin sector. However, the offering is limited compared with that available for intermediate skiers: Torgnon is not the ideal destination for those seeking many kilometres or a large number of technically demanding runs, but it can be enjoyable for a relaxed, compact day of skiing.

The lift network comprises one gondola, three chairlifts and several magic carpets. The automatic four-seater Collet chairlift is the fastest and most modern lift in the upper part of the resort, while the four-seater Chantorné chairlift has a fixed grip. Older and slower is the two-seater Col Fenêtre, built in the late 1980s: its future replacement with a faster automatic lift is planned, but the project is not yet operational.

One of the resort’s main strengths is its offering for children. The Chantorné Winter Park, accessible by gondola, includes the beginners’ area and spaces dedicated to bobsleighing, sledging, snow tubing and other activities on the snow. The compact layout of the services makes it easy for parents to keep an eye on young children and makes Torgnon one of the Valle d’Aosta resorts most geared towards families.

The sunny aspect and protection from northerly winds make even the coldest days pleasant. All the runs have snowmaking, but the relatively low maximum altitude and exposure to the sun can make the snow softer during the middle hours of mild days, especially towards the end of the season.

Torgnon is also an important destination for cross-country skiing. The Nordic area offers around 30 km of trails, with loops of varying lengths and difficulty. The Grandes Montagnes route passes through forests and alpine pastures in particularly panoramic surroundings, while the connection with the trails of Verrayes makes it possible, when conditions allow, to extend the route further.

Torgnon is recommended above all for families, beginners and intermediate skiers who prefer uncrowded slopes, generally lower prices and an authentic setting. Its small size and some dated lifts are its main limitations; the view of the Matterhorn, the village’s traditional character, the Winter Park and the completeness of its alpine and Nordic skiing offering are instead the features that set the resort apart.