I have become a regular visitor to Alagna and Monterosa Ski. For off-piste and day ski-touring, I normally work with a local guide for the sake of both efficiency of time use and overcoming sometimes demanding technical manoeuvrers (like entry into the Lost Valley or Malfatta run). I also regularly ski on the other side of the big mountain range in Swiss (Zermatt-Saas Fee). Compared with the other side, this Alagna side does not offer spectacular scenery. But the availability of big bowls, which are not over-worked, and long highly slippery descents on-piste and many other on-piste and off-piste features make you a repeater. 2019 has been a dry season but I gather that 2019 has been an exception. Check live web images. By the way, with the current set up of lifts, Alagna-Champoluc is about 100-120 min one way (not on school holidays, though). You come back as late as possible and get the final downward piste skiing from Saltati to Alagna (c.1800m vertical) with few other skiers. Stop at a bar towards the end but still a few slippery slopes to go thereafter. A wine bar in Alagna is also highly recommended for hospitality and for the selection of wine (local Gattinara wine, especially, as it is difficult to get them once you leave the region).