Ski Holidays in Sagnalonga, Italy

• Sagnalonga Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	N E W
  Very Easy Runs	0
  Easy Runs	11
  Medium Runs	18
  Difficult Runs	2
  Toughest Run Name	Borcata 5km
  Skiable Vertical	1150m
  Number Of Lifts	12
  Top Lift Height	2700m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	1
  Half Pipes	0
  Swimming Pools	1
  Night Clubs	1
  Mountain Restaurants	36

• Sagnalonga Transfer Times+

  Milan:	0 minutes
  Genoa:	0 minutes

Sagnalonga cannot be classed as a ski resort as it is basically a tiny collection of buildings clustered around the high altitude Sport Hotel, 2000m up on the giant Milky Way ski circuit, which links half a dozen resorts from Montgenevre in France across the border to the Olympic resorts of Sauze d`Oulx and Sestriere.

Sagnalonga itself sits high above the Italian border villages of Claviere (reached by snowmobile) and Cesana (reached by chairlift).

Staying in Sagnalonga is therefore a different experience to your normal ski resort, as you are cut of from the outside world in many ways, particularly at night, although you are also in the heart of one of the world's largest ski areas in the day time and can reach some of the best slopes before the crowds staying at the other areas can get up to them.

The Sport Hotel has a good range of facilities, so although you my see the same faces and visit the same bar and restaurant each night, you're unlikely to get bored.

The Milky Way is known locally as the Vialattea. It contains more than 200 linked ski runs and more than 90 lifts, ranging in altitude from 1350m in Cesana to 2800m at Mount Motta, a peak that gives a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains, allowing skiers to appreciate the vastness and beauty
of the area.

Sagnalonga's altitude, the highest place to stay in the region, means that it is very snowsure.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  Sagnalonga has its own nursery slope, served by a drag lift, right next to the hotel. Once basic technique has been mastered, chairlifts below and above will make reaching longer blue runs easy to reach.
  
  Continuing further afield is more difficult without taking the ski bus along the valley, as stretches on the piste involve steeper red and black runs between Sagnalonga and Montgenvre on one side and Sestriere on the other.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  The huge choice of runs makes Sagnalonga a great choice for intermediates. The Milky Way is one of the few ski areas where you can ski across an international border, and one of only two in Italy where you can ski over to France.
  
  Until the advent of the European Union's open borders policy it was necessary to ensure you had a passport on you when you crossed the border by ski lift, but the border guards at the top of Clavière's chairlifts have now moved on.
  
  The trails over to Montgenèvre can be tackled by intermediate skiers via blues and reds. It is an exciting trip as you have the feeling of travelling from village to village.

• Advanced+

  There are a number of black pistes both above and below Sagnalonga, so advanced skiers based here can be the first to get to these even before the lifts from the valley open. There are many more difficult runs in the vicinity above Claviere and Montgenevre, also easy to reach from Sagnalonga.
  
  Off piste skiing is also popular, particularly on the powder slopes above Sestriere, which is also a heliskiing centre.

• Snowboarding at Sagnalonga+

  Although it was the only major snow sport not hosted in the Milky Way during the 2006 Winter Olympics, snowboarding is very popular in the region where there are four terrain parks to choose from, now much easier to reach thanks to pre-Olympic investment in new chairlifts and gondolas to replace old drag lifts.
  
  The parks are at Montgenevre, Sestriere, Sauze d`Oulx and Cesana, San Sicario. The former is one of the closest to Sagnalonga and is fenced off from the main ski area.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Sagnalonga+

  Again most activities and facilities are provided by the Sport Hotel. This is equipped with an indoor swimming pool (open 4-7pm nightly), sauna and Jacuzzi.
  
  The hotel also has table football, pool table and internet facilities. Outdoor options include snowmobile excursions.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  Unless you wish to risk the snowmobile ride back from Claviere, you are likely to spend your evenings in the Sport Hotel. This organizes an evening entertainment programme, such as quiz nights, and features a large lounge with satellite TV and open fireplace.
  
  Most guests will be staying on half board and will receive buffet style meals, with Gala dinners on key dates such as New Years Eve.
  
  There are a small number of laid-back bars and restaurants down in Claviere if you fancy a night out, but the snowmobile taxi back has to be paid for locally.

• Ski Holidays in Sagnalonga suitable for Families+

  Certainly a different place for a family holiday, car free and with spectacular views. Most hotel rooms take up to four guests, so are convenient for smaller families.
  
  There are no special daycare or ski school facilities for young children at Sagnalonga itself, but the ski school down in Claviere accepts children from age four. Helmet wearing is mandatory for children up to age 13 by Italian law, and these can be hired locally.