Aussois - village

Aussois' stone-and-slate chalets aren't imitation authenticity, they’re the real deal – and there has been a settlement in Aussois since the first millennium BC. The pretty stone church dates back to the 12th century, was modified in the 17th century, and the village has been careful to preserve its traditional character since tourism took hold in the 1970s. Learn more about what life has been like in Aussois over the years at the Arche d’Oé museum and heritage centre.

Guarding the village are the 19th-century Esseillon forts, built to defend the border when the Savoie region still belonged to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. They’re well worth a detour: the highest of the five, Fort Marie-Christine, houses a restaurant and a 66-bed gîte, and is the only one accessible by road in winter.

Aussois is compact and easy to find your way around, with the ski lifts, shops and most restaurants within comfortable walking distance of the largely pedestrianised village centre. A free local shuttle and the wider S52/S53 bus network (also free with a lift pass) connect outlying accommodation and neighbouring villages, so you won't need a car once you've arrived.

Accommodation

Aussois has approximately 6,500 tourist beds, and visitors can choose from hotels, self-catering residences, B&Bs, gîtes and independently-owned apartments (rated and bookable via the tourist office).

Something to look out for is the ‘Label Qualité Confort Hébergement’, created by the Haute Maurienne Vanoise Tourist Office. It recognises modern facilities, welcoming atmospheres, beautifully decorated interiors and personalised service. You can search for options on the Aussois tourist board’s website.

For convenience, it’s hard to beat Les Flocons d’Argent. Sleeping one to eight in spacious apartments, the self-catered residence is at the foot of the slopes opposite the ski school meeting point and just 400m from the centre of the village. The chalet-style apartments are smart, and there’s an indoor pool, sauna and fitness room, plus ski shop, restaurant and bakery within the residence.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, take your pick from the recently renovated Alpina Lodge Vanoise, in the centre of the village with 21 rooms and four apartments, or opt to stay in its 10-bedroom sister lodge La Montana, at 2,190m at the top of the Grand Jeu chairlift. [Checking with Nadine if Hotel Les Mottets is still open]

There are three charming B&Bs in the village, L’Autentic, a five-bedroom chambre d’hôte, Le Galetas, a studio for four people in the attic of a local’s house, and La Roche du Croué, with five bedrooms sleeping up to 15.

Ski and snowboard hire

There are several shops to choose from in the village. Everest Sport is the most central, while Skimium, Netski and Leon Sports are at the foot of the slopes.

Also at the foot of the slopes, in the Maison d’Aussois, you’ll find ski lockers with space for four to five pairs of skis plus boot dryers in each. 

Non-ski activities

Mix things up off the slopes with plenty of other winter activities. In the centre of the village, there are snow tubing runs in the shadow of the 12th-century church, dog sleigh rides at Plan de la Croix and, for the brave, a via ferrata route over several footbridges and a monkey bridge across the west face of the Esseillon forts.

Take to the air on a paragliding flight or stay a little closer to the ground with an ice climbing taster session on a frozen waterfall, set off on snowshoes on one of the marked trails into the mountains, or make a splash at the Ô’Soi water centre.

Childcare

[Need to check with Nadine - nothing is currently listed on the website]