The mines

Hidden within our mountains lies a world, at times underground, at times manifest, that tells the story of a time before La Thuile’s renowned skiing tradition: that of La Thuile's mines. 

A precious resource, these mines are a testament to the generosity of the mountains that sustained their people for years, allowing mining of argentiferous lead and anthracite for the production of coal. We speak of ancient mines since historical records suggest that mining in La Thuile began in the 16th century, while we know for certain that the first coal mines were opened in the 19th century. However, it was only after 1920 that La Thuile truly became a mining hub, reaching its peak in the post-World War II period.

Today, the legacy of La Thuile’s ancient mines is woven into the fabric of the mountains, where traces of human activity are preserved without being altered in the least.

As you explore, you might encounter remnants of cart tracks, old infrastructure and sections of tunnels, even during a simple stroll through the woods. A parallel journey beyond time yet integrated into nature, which effortlessly reclaims its space, transforming the area into an “adventure park” of sorts. 
You can explore these more or less underground worlds on your own by taking a short walk, or delve deeper on an organised tour lasting nearly four hours, led by professional guides.

Among the various paths through the mines of La Thuile, the most captivating is the route to the Granier mine, where you can marvel at the massive winch once used to hoist coal extracted from the lower levels up an inclined plane. From Granier, the coal was transported directly to the convoy departure station for Arpy, then carried by cableway to Morgex for processing before being sent to the Cogne steelworks in Aosta. 
Before reaching the Granier tunnel, you can admire the rails and carts used by miners to transport the extracted ore. All this under the watchful gaze of Mont Blanc, indifferent to the minor scratches left by human endeavours on its majestic slopes.