Skiing The Milky Way

How to get the Best of Two Worlds in one Place

You can start your day with a French croissant or baguette and end it with a genuine Italian pizza or espresso.

Just came back from a ski week in Sestriere with my family, including my 15-month-old son, and it was a fantastic experience.
I have a very special relationship with this place. I did one of my first seasons in Montgenevre, a French resort just across the border from Sestriere and part of the same skiing area – Vialattea (the Milky Way). It means I know the place inside out.

The Place

Sestriere is part of the Vialattea ski area, also known as the Milky Way. This is one of the biggest skiing areas in Europe, with over 400 kilometers of high-quality slopes spread across five ski resorts. Sestriere alone offers more than 164 kilometers of slopes, making it the most important resort in the area.
But what really sets the Milky Way apart is the opportunity to experience both French and Italian culture and cuisine in one place. You can start your day with a French croissant or baguette and end it with a genuine Italian pizza or espresso. Or, indulge in French crepes for lunch before hitting the slopes for some Italian-style skiing.

It’s also one of the sunniest destinations in the Alps, with over 300 days of sunshine per year. Even on snowy days, the sun often peeks through the clouds to give you a smile.

Skiing and other Activities

Speaking of skiing, there’s something for everyone in the Milky Way. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your level. Sestriere is a modern, well-equipped resort with challenging piste runs at its highest sector, Motta. Sauze d’Oulx has beautiful and wide red slopes, and Montgenevre offers easy and wide slopes perfect for little kids.

If you like ski touring there are three marked ski touring trails in Montgenevre and a countless possibilities in other resorts of the Milky Way area.

My favorite two would be in Claviere: Col Saurel and Mont Gimont. Most of the trail goes through rather mild slopes so even after a big snowfall the area is relatively safe.

For freeride hardcores the options are also countless. From the steep couloirs in Sestriere to the large and wide snow bowls in Montgenevre and tree skiing in Sause d’Oulx everyone will find something to his taste!
But skiing isn’t the only activity in Sestriere. The resort is family-friendly and offers opportunities to go sledding with your children on little slopes. You can also enjoy cross-country trails in Sestriere or in a close by Montgenevre.

If you want to take a day off from skiing I would recommend you to visit a city of Turin which is only 1.5 hours of driving away. The city is full of architectural and cultural attractions. It is also a good shopping destination.

Where to Stay

Accommodation options in Sestriere are plentiful, from self-catered apartments to luxury hotels offering extravagant multi-course breakfasts and dinners. While the architecture in the village may not be to everyone’s taste, its location is unbeatable. Sestriere is the best positioned for access to the majority of shops, services, lifts, ski slopes, and the rest of the Vialattea.

Apres ski

And after a long day on the slopes, there’s nothing better than some après-ski action. Sestriere village fronts the ski slopes and has plenty of wine bars and pubs. The après-ski scene really kicks in over the weekends when the locals from Turin come to play, but it’s pretty lively mid-week too.

It is difficult to share everything that I know about the place in one post, but there is one thing I am absolutely sure about.
Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, Sestriere is a fantastic destination that will not disappoint.

If you got a question or comment, please feel free to contact me.