THE GREAT ST BERNARD VALLEY
	Cloaked with forests, a valley with an age-old history, nerve point for traffic across the Alps, offering sunny ski runs and enchanting cross-country skiing itineraries in a beautiful natural setting. History, gastronomic traditions and folklore enliven your stay to make it a genuinely happy one. A valley with a wealth of history, gastronomic traditions and folklore, with good hotels and winter camping sites. At the entrance to the valley, near Aosta, there is Gignod (988 m.) with its ancient tower, the remains of an eleventh century fortification. Each year this village organizes the "Fête du teteun", a gastronomic festival centred around a rather unusual local delicacy: cow's udder conserved in brine and spices which is served in slices. Going on from Gignod you soon reach the resort of Etroubles, small and reserved but still boasting pleasant hotel facilities. It is at 1299 metres, in the heart of the valley of the Great St Bernard, on the slopes of Mont Velan. Here the skier will find a short, easy downhill slope, ideal for beginners. At Etroubles ends the fantastic off-track slope of the deep Menouve valley, which begins at the Swiss resort of the Super-Saint-Bernard. Cross-country skiers, on the other hand, can try the long, easy, winding track at the bottom of the valley. Going up the valley again you come to a particularly tranquil zone, made up of small villages: Saint-Oyen (1373 m.), famous for its festival of ham cooked over embers, and flassin, in the deep valley below, popular with those who like tranquillity as well as downhill and cross-country skiing; some ski lifts serve easy runs on the slopes of Testa Cordella. At Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses, a small village at 1519 metres, the open and very sunny slopes of the Testa di Crevacol house the skiing resort of the same name, with its intermediate level runs, perfect for those wishing to perfect their downhill technique. As you ski down the view opens out over the whole of the Great St Bernard Valley. The resort's slopes are extremely popular with snow-surfers. In the zone there are also several excursions for those who enjoy climbing with skis. You are particularly advised to visit the Great St Bernard Valley during the carnival season, a strong local tradition; the village youths wear splendid colourful costumes recalling the uniform of Napoleon's soldiers, who in May 1800 crossed the Great St Bernard pass.