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In the heart of the Planpincieux forest, beneath the majestic profile of the Grandes Jorasses and in the shadow of Mont Blanc, stands a house that embodies generations of passion for the mountains.
The story of Chalet Monte Bianco begins with Piero Oneglio, whose love for these mountains was born during his honeymoon at Purtud in Val Veny in 1919, followed by a trip to Rifugio Torino, then reachable only on foot from La Palud. Throughout the 1930s, Piero returned each spring for ski excursions in the Malatrà valley in Val Ferret, deepening his bond with this valley.
He began visiting in summer too, as a guest of friends from the Sci Club Torino who already had homes in the great meadows below the old village of Planpincieux—then just a simple alpine pasture at the foot of the Grandes Jorasses. Building a house here was a pioneer's endeavor, requiring enthusiasm and unwavering passion.
"A dream realized"—that's how Piero described his house at Plan, its affectionately shortened name. The most beautiful and precious thing in his life.
That passion animated Piero and his circle of friends, filling their free moments, their readings, their evening conversations. It created a special atmosphere, binding together different people who shared the same fervent interest in alpinism and winter sports, in competitions and ever-evolving skiing techniques.
Today, Piero's granddaughter Sofia, connected to mountain life from childhood, rejoices in this heritage. She breathed in and shared her grandfather's passion, keeping it intact through the years. Even today, she gets excited watching Italian athletes place in slalom competitions, is passionate in recounting alpine exploits, deeply engaged in any story involving pitons, ropes, crampons, and bivouacs.
Planpincieux is a place where respect for nature, awareness of danger, the habit of silence, the importance of knowledge, and gratitude for the fortune of witnessing incomparable panoramas and unrepeatable moments reign supreme. For Sofia, it was simply normal; for her grandfather Piero, it was a conquest, built day after day through determination and sacrifice.
"The cradle of alpinism under the roof of Europe"
Traditional craftsmanship meets mountain comfort
Authentic Valdostan stone construction with traditional slate roof and warm wooden interiors
Two double bedrooms plus one with a spacious bunk bed, perfect for families or groups of friends
Wake up to the majestic Grandes Jorasses and Mont Blanc from your forest sanctuary
Secluded in the larch forest, yet just minutes from Courmayeur's amenities and sports facilities
Step inside to discover a home rich with warmth. The living spaces feature a grand wooden truss, tasteful furnishings passed down through generations, and a cozy atmosphere that invites you to relax after a day on the mountain.
Planpincieux and Courmayeur offer magnificent alpine experiences
Planpincieux sits at the entrance to Val Ferret, one of the most stunning locations beneath the Mont Blanc massif. Walks and excursions for all levels of difficulty await both adults and children. Admire larch forests, slopes of rhododendrons and blueberries that turn red in autumn, flowering alpine pastures in late spring, spot chamois climbing at the base of the highest peaks, hear the alarms sounded by marmots, and cross paths with herds of cows at pasture.
The Golf Club Courmayeur et Grandes Jorasses sits at 1,200m, offering nine holes set against one of the most dramatic mountain backdrops in Europe. The course winds through alpine meadows with the Mont Blanc massif filling the horizon — a round unlike any other.
The Skyway Monte Bianco cable car reaches 3,466m, offering one of the world's most extraordinary mountain spectacles. The Courmayeur Sport Center in the charming hamlet of Dolonne offers an equipped climbing wall, tennis courts, fitness, yoga, and ice skating. The Alpine Guides Society, active since the mid-1800s, offers detailed hiking and mountaineering programs for all levels and ages.
Watch the larch forests turn golden in autumn, spot ibex and chamois on high pastures, and experience the traditional alpine farming life that continues in these valleys.
Day trip to Chamonix: Via the Mont Blanc Tunnel, enjoy pools, playgrounds, luge at Les Planards, and the Accro Park des Gaillands in the charming French town.
Local dining: Numerous restaurants and bars in Planpincieux and Val Ferret.
Shopping: Shops and supermarkets in Entrèves, Courmayeur, Pré Saint Didier, and Morgex.
May to October • Minimum stay: 4 nights
+ €250 cleaning fee per stay
Chalet Monte Bianco
Planpincieux
11013 Courmayeur (AO)
Valle d'Aosta, Italy