Entrèves: Between Val Veny & Val Ferret

Entrèves (which means 'between the streams') is a quaint hamlet less than 4km north of Courmayeur with a small collection of traditional stone houses and farm buildings surrounded by pastureland.  Great restaurants and good hotels for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for something a little quieter than Courmayeur.

Idea base winter and summer sports (mountaineering, mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing)

There are a few restaurants and some of the most famous hotels in the Aosta Valley such as the Auberge de la Maison.

Entreves in winter
Entrèves: Between Val Veny & Val Ferret
Aiguille d'Entrèves is a granite spire of the Mont Blanc Massif along the main watershed and hence on the border between Italy and France. Easy access from Punta Helbronner--reachable via cable car - fun climbing routes, and great views.
There are half a dozen well-established routes to the summit, the most popular of which is the south-to-north traverse.  The traverse links the southwest ridge route to the normal route from the northeast; the latter is used for the descent. The west face offers more challenging itineraries.

Getting there:  The easiest access to Aiguille d'Entrèves is from Punta Helbronner, which is usually reached by cable car from the new base station near Entrèves. Purists can take a steep trail that follows more or less the course of the old cable car line. If coming from Chamonix, one can reach Refuge des Cosmiques at Col du Midi. From there it is possible to cross Vallée Blanche and Glacier du Géant, or, if it is running, continue with the cable car from Aiguille du Midi to Punta Helbronner.

When to climb:  The period from mid June to mid September usually offers the best conditions. Access on skis should be possible year-round--weather permitting. The rock climbs would be substantially more challenging off season.
 
Where to stay:  The most convenient mountain hut for Aiguille d'Entrèves is Rifugio Torino. It is quite possible, though, to climb this summit without spending the night at the hut.