Ski resorts in Italy
Italian Alps - "Milky Way" Vialattea
Vialattea means skiing on the same courses where the ski top champions have been skiing, where the XX Winter Olympics Torino 2006 took place. The Vialattea skiing area is waiting for you to discover the beauties and opportunities this area can offer. The expanse and variety of this skiing area can satisfy both the most demanding skiers, thanks to the long and difficult courses, and the beginners. The Vialattea skiing area is in Piemonte and it is easy to reach, one hour drive from “S.Pertini” airport in Torino-Caselle and a little more than two hours from Milan, Genoa, Geneva and Nice airports. The closest railway station is at Oulx where numerous high speed trains stop daily from Rome, Turin, Lyon and Paris. The Vialattea offers a wide choice of skiing opportunities: this international skiing area includes Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Pragelato Claviere as well as the French Montgenèvre.
Sestriere
Most probably the best resort in the Milky Way ski circuit, Sestriere was the first purpose-built village in the Alps. The resort gained international renown during February 1997 when it hosted the World Cup Ski Races and it was selected to host the 2006 Winter Olympics. Because it's at high altitude, there is top-class snow, supported by widespread snowmaking machines. The resort caters for all levels of skiing.
Sauze d’Oulx
Sauze d'Oulx is a nice, rustic town that has been invaded by skiers. The resort used to be infamous for an ancient lift system that made Glenshee fast by comparison but in 2005 the slow 2 man uplift was replaced with a fast four-man chair. Beyond, there is some good skiing that appears to suit all abilities. However, many of the black runs at Sauze d'Oulx have a red feel and the reds are a bit more blue. You can ski to Sestriere but keep an eye on the weather and time as a taxi ride home is an expensive exercise. Snowboarders should head to Double Black Park, a snow park located in the Rio Nero valley, on the crossing point of Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, and Sansicario skiing domains.
Oulx
The “gateway to the Vialattea”, a small town that still has alpine charm while offering all amenities. Only 40 minutes from Turin.
Sansicario
Sansicario, the most vanguard resort of the Vialattea, located at 1700 m altitude, is a skier's paradise. Its peculiar geographical position give you the chance of skiing on slopes constantly exposed to the sun, all the way up to the 2700 m altitude of Mount Fraiteve. Since it is located in the centre of the Vialattea, the skiing connections can cover the distances to Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx in few minutes. A typical little mall, featuring shops, traditional restaurants, a pub with live music and a disco, makes the stay pleasant for those who choose to spend their holiday in Sansicario.
Cesana
This resort is situated at an altitude of 1350m and is surrounded by rocky mountains covered with pine woods, and even today it preserves the features of an ancient village lying at the foot of the Montgenèvre Pass. The resort is part of the Vialattea, and features lifts that connect you to Sansicario, the Monti della Luna - Moon Mountains - and Claviere thus offering a variety of opportunities to the skiers.
Pragelato Claviere
Small ski centre with lifts some way from the village, a big vertical, and many of the lifts are at high altitude. There are three hotels rated up to two star plus a luxury resort development, a discothèque, and all necessities. The resort is home to the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Ski jump. There are actually five jumps, Italy's largest facility. Olympic cross country ski events were also staged here. Pragelato offers 50 kilometres of well-tended snow-covered pistes with panoramic views of incomparable beauty, for beginners and expert skiers alike. After the Turin Olympics a gondola was built to connect it to the 400km (250 miles) of the Milky Way ski pass at Sestriere.
