Experience the breathtaking Aosta-Pila cable car

On December 27, 2025, I went for a mountain hike. I wanted to lose weight after all the holiday eating. The weather was amazing: clear skies and dry air. Perfect for hiking, even without skis. I should mention: I didn't go skiing. I just wanted to see the new gondola, La Stella di Pila, and enjoy the view.

The trip starts right from the center of Aosta. That's a big advantage of this setup. Even with the holiday crowds, the ticket line moved quickly. In about 15 minutes, we were ready to go. I bought tickets online to avoid waiting. But here's the catch: you still need to print the ticket there. You have to use a kiosk or the counter. This extra step reduces the benefit of buying early.

For me, things got more complicated. There's only one kiosk, and it wasn't printing because the paper ran out. So, I waited over half an hour at the counter. Not a huge deal, but they should either add more kiosks or check the existing one more often. Otherwise, buying tickets on-site might be just as easy.

Once past that, the ride was worth it. The first gondola takes you to Pila, at 1,800 meters, in about 15 minutes. The view is already impressive: the city shrinks below, and the valley opens up. The switch to the second gondola towards La Stella was quick, almost no wait. In another 15 minutes, you reach 2,700 meters.

Once you reach the top, the view is stunning. The entire Aosta Valley Alps stretch out before you. From the Mont Blanc massif to the distinctive MatterhornMatterhorn profile, it's breathtaking. It's one of those views that leaves you speechless. The new Stella cable car is modern and blends well with the landscape. The cabins were clean and tidy.

At the top, there's a bistro where you can grab a focaccia or something warm. The prices are quite reasonable considering the location. The total cost to reach Stella is 38 euros per person, round trip. It's worth it for the experience, especially if you want to enjoy the mountains and views, not just ski.

One last practical note: there's plenty of parking in Aostathere's plenty of parking in Aosta. It's not limited to the area right in front of the lift. This makes the Aosta-Pila-Stella cable car a convenient and accessible option.

In short, it's a successful and impressive experience, though some organizational details could improve.