Milky Way Sestiere & Sauze d Oulx

This international ski resort offers a total of 400km of skiable area, modern ski lifts and an altitude of up to 2800m. A great destination for all snow lovers. This makes Vialattea one of the best “ski in/ski out” resorts in Europe. It features over 250 ski slopes catering to the needs of expert skiers and beginners alike. The difficulty level ranges from the very steep runs of Banchetta to the gently winding slopes of Sansicario. With such an extensive offer, the ski resort is suitable for everyone, from young skiers to families who enjoy spending time together on the snow.

Milky Way Extensive skiing over five peaks and six resorts on the Italy-France border

It was the Turin Olympics in 2006 which really brought the Milky Way Ski area into focus, although Sauze d’Oulx, just an hour from Turin, and right at the beginning of the “Via Lattea” resort complex, has for some time been a regular destination for British skiers. Hosting the Olympics meant the ski area was significantly upgraded, with major improvements in snowmaking facilities which underpin an already reliable snow record, also several new high-speed lifts were built to enhance skier movements in the area.

Ski holidays in the Milky Way Ski Area

There are wonderful long runs and impressive views from the slopes on Mount Motta at 2823m, with wide open spaces above the tree-line as well as picturesque wooded runs below. The long chain of linked resorts, with 400km of pistes, gives skiers and snowboarders a wonderful opportunity to travel from resort to resort, ending up crossing the border into France and skiing into Montgenèvre (This Return trip can  take all day – but well recommended and a great feeling to ski into another country).

En route you’ll pass through the Olympic hub of Sestriere-Cesana-Sansicario (which hosted all the Alpine events) – which you should explore before moving on to Claviere and into the French end of the system.

Sestriere is one of Europe’s first purpose-built ski resorts – The Resort was developed specifically for winter sports by Fiat’s Giovanni Agnelli in the 1930s.

There’s a lot of skiing to explore in the vicinity, but if you’re continuing towards Montgenèvre, unless you are determined to have lunch in France, try stopping at Claviere just before you cross the border. It’s cheaper than France and worth the visit just for the “Bombardinos” (coffee with brandy and advocaat). Sestriere, at 2035m, is the highest resort in the Milky Way ski area and Pragelato is also where Born2ski recommend the Excellent Club Med.

The Resort of Sauze d’Oulx, with its charming rustic old mountain village centre, has a great variety of slopes, and an excellent choice of pubs, bars and restaurants: the après-ski in this resort is always busy.

Skiing levels

• Beginner 4* Intermediate 5* Advanced 4*  Snowboard 4* Cross Country *
• Mountain facts Ski area 400km Runs     52 Blue 111 Red  40 Black
• Longest run 7km
• Lifts Chairlifts 36 , Cable car 1 , Draglifts 45 , Gondolas 1

If you wanted to Recreate the Women’s Downhill from the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics by linking the three black runs from the top of Mt Fraiteve down to Sansicario.

Also For good music and a good time in Sauze d’Oulx hit one of Miravallino’s live music nights.

The Sestriere snowpark is situated just above resort, overlooked by many of the bars.