Thuile

Thuile, also known as La Thuile, is a comune in the autonomous region of Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) in northwestern Italy. It is situated in the western part of the valley in the Alps, close to the French border. The municipality is notable for its alpine landscape and for hosting a ski area that forms part of the cross-border Espace San Bernardo, connected with La Rosière in France. The main settlement sits at a high elevation and the territory includes several smaller hamlets.

Demographics and administration: Thuile has a small population, consisting of a few hundred residents. In the Aosta Valley, both Italian and French have official status, and local Franco-Provençal dialects are also present in daily use. The municipality is governed by a mayor and a municipal council.

History: The area has medieval origins and was part of the Savoyard domain before Italian unification. It became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The modern comune developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the economy gradually shifting toward tourism alongside traditional mountain activities.

Economy and tourism: Tourism dominates the local economy, especially winter sports. The La Thuile ski area offers extensive slopes and lifts and benefits from the cross-border link with France, attracting visitors from both countries. During the summer, the region draws hikers and mountain bikers, drawn by the alpine scenery and well-maintained trails. Small-scale agriculture and services also support residents and tourists.

See also: Alpine villages, cross-border skiing, Valle d'Aosta culture.