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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1350m
Families:		[No]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[4]
Advanced:		[3]
Snowboarding:		[2]

Claviere claims to be Italy's oldest ski centre, with more than a century of winter sports under its belt. Despite this long history however it has not grown much and remains a small, compact ski centre, albeit in a key location within one of the world's largest ski areas – the Milky Way Pass (or Via
Lattea to give it its Italian title).

Claviere is also one of Italy and Europe's highest traditional ski resorts making it relatively snowsure, particularly with north facing slopes and two thirds of the local runs covered by snow making. The Milky Way pass links half a dozen Italian resorts over the border that Claviere sits upon, to Montgenevre, the only French resort on the pass.

Most of the Italian resorts, including: Sauze d'Oulx, Sestriere and Sansicario were hosts to the majority of events at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, and benefited from investment in new lifts and many other improvements ahead of the games.

Claviere's significance goes back for thousands of years before the ski lifts were built however. Hannibal made his famous crossing of the Alps with elephants through the local Moncenisio pass and Julius Caesar also passed through in 58 B.C en route from Rome to Geneva. After his journey he decided to build the first road through the area which is the basis for the current road today.

Beginners

There are nursery slopes right by the resort centre which, thanks to its altitude, are normally open all season long. Once the basics are mastered there's a selection of blue runs on which to progress and then on to longer runs, including those served by the Coche chairlift. By the end of a week it is usually possible to ski over in to France.

Learn-to-ski and learn-to-board packages including lessons, equipment and lift pass are available, saving time and money on buying these elements separately. Prices are also about a third less than in some of the larger resorts in the Alps.

Intermediates

The Milky Way gives a great feeling of exploration and excitement as you can ski on from one village to the next. Heading further in to Italy the lifts pass above Cesana, the lowest resort in the area, before climbing up to 2006 Olympic biathlon centre Sansicario and on to Sestriere or Sauze d'Oulx.

In the other direction Montgenevre in France is just a few kilometres away via red piste number 99 (you no longer need a passport to ski over the border). Most points of the Milky Way are accessible within a day but do check on piste/lift openings and conditions before you set out and be careful to leave enough time to catch the last lift back at the end of the day.

If you stay locally you'll find the majority of slopes around Claviere – more than two thirds in fact – are graded red/intermediate and offer descents of up to six kilometres (four miles).

Advanced

Although most of the terrain in the area is rated intermediate there are a few steep blacks and some excellent off piste opportunities to explore. The Col Boeuf quad accesses the high speed black back down in to the village.

Mountain guides will take you to any of the many off-piste itineraries in the area, such as the back route from Montgenervre via the Col de l'Alpet. Heliskiing is also popular in the area with several 3000m+ drop off points. Or head over to Sestriere to tackle the Olympic downhill runs.

Snowboarding

Claviere's high speed lifts make it easy to get up on to the slopes where there is a lot of exciting natural freeriding terrain. You will have to travel a little way on your board to reach one of the major terrain parks on the Milky Way pass at Montgenevre or Sestriere.

Closest to home is a mini park in the Sagnalonga area. Surprisingly perhaps however, there is no resort on the whole circuit that aims to build a half pipe each winter.

Other Activities and Facilities

There's not much to do off the slopes in Claviere besides enjoy a good meal with a nice bottle of wine. Along with a small selection of essential shops there is an amusement arcade. Outdoor alternatives include a natural ice rink, winter climbing with a guide and the chance to go cross-country skiing across the border in to France.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Claviere is a small, usually quiet resort with about a dozen bars and restaurants, virtually all within the family run hotels along the main street. Normally lively venues include Disco Pub Murphy's Igloo and the Gallo Cedrone's karaoke bar.

For a wider selection walk or take a bus or taxi over to Montgenevre, a few kilometres over the border in to France. Dining options are similarly limited and hotel based. Gran Bouc has a reputation for the best food and wine in resort.

Families

There is no non-ski nursery facility provided in resort although one operator does run its own crèche for children aged from six months and children's ski school from age four. Alternatively the local Scuola Sci Clavière offers lessons for children also from age four, and snowboarding from age seven.

Special all inclusive packages with tuition, lift ticket and rentals for an inclusive price are available. Helmet wearing for children 12 and under is obligatory in Italy and these can be rented locally.

Piste Map for Claviere

Accommodation in Claviere

• Bes - 4 star,
• Club Hotel Claviere - 4 star, catered
• Club Hotel Claviere - 4 star, catered
• Hotel Bes - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Passero Pellegrino - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Roma - 2 star, half board
• Miramonti - 2 star, half board

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