Ayas is a town in the alpine valley of the same name. It is a famous ski region, and in summer, active tourism related to mountain hiking and climbing dominates here.
The town developed from the Middle Ages as a commercial center on the Italian-Swiss border. For many centuries, a church with several monasteries, which owned vast land estates, played a significant role in this area. For this reason, about 20 churches and chapels from different centuries have been preserved here. Some of them have exterior and interior walls beautifully decorated with polychromes.
Today, the most important branch of the local economy is tourism. Ayas belongs to the larger region of the Aosta Valley, famous for its great conditions for skiing. There is a large Monterosa Ski resort in the vicinity, offering almost 200 km of slopes of various difficulty levels.
In summer, Ayas' biggest attraction is the possibility of hiking. Numerous trails lead both through the valleys and to the surrounding peaks. There are also via ferratas and climbing routes for people with appropriate equipment and belaying skills.
