Champoluc

It is one of the 3 main villages in the commune of Ayas, together with Antagnod (where the town hall is located) and Saint-Jacques. It lies at an altitude of 1568 meters in a broad flat part of the upper Ayas valley. Above Champoluc, to the East, is the Plan du Crest (1975 meters), one of the largest ski areas in the Aosta Valley, reachable by cable car from the centre of the village. In summer, the Crest is a popular place for hiking.

The climate is quite cold in winter (with minima around -15 ° / -20 °C). The rainfall is low. In spring and summer, temperatures rise remarkably, with peaks of 20 ° / 22 °C and the wind is more frequent. Summer is short, with autumn starting in September, accompanied by drier days and lower temperatures.

Champoluc is a well-known ski resort, part of the Monterosa Ski area which connects the upper reaches of the valleys of Ayas, Lys and Valsesia (the latter is located in the Piedmont). The highest point of the Champoluc skiing is at the Col du Bätt (2676 meters) where lifts and runs allow connection to the Lys Valley and to Gressoney-La-Trinité. Champoluc is the largest resort in the Monterosa area with great glacier views and wide variety of off-piste.

Summer tourism is also a significant source of income in the area, with many hiking trails in the Monte Rosa Massif.

Champoluc and other villages and hamlets in the upper Val d'Ayas were areas inhabited by Walsers during their migrations. Traces of their culture are still evident. Locally this part of the valley is called Canton des Allemands (French for "Germans' Canton").

• Guardian, 27 September 2008
• Telegraph, 4 October 2008
• Guardian, 23 November 2008
• Timesonline, 18 October 2009

• Monterosa ski map

45°50′N 7°44′E / 45.833°N 7.733°E / 45.833; 7.733