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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 2035m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[5]
Advanced:		[4]
Snowboarding:		[3]

One of the world's leading resorts, Sestriere was one of the first purpose-built ski areas in the world and remains one of the highest in Europe, amongst the very few sitting at over 2,000 metres.

Located on a high, sunny plateau, the resort is not perhaps the most visually attractive, although it is not especially ugly either. Two round tower blocks have become visual icons for the village.

The resort was built by the Agnelli family in the early 1930s, the Fiat car company was another of their creations, and went on to become a major international player hosting innumerable international competitions, climaxing to date with the 2006 Winter Olympics. Indeed it is one of less than half-a-dozen resorts worldwide to have hosted World Cup, World Championships and Olympic events.

The family sold the resort recently for a nominal fee, reportedly due to their wider financial problems, but Sestriere continues to go from strength to strength. A pioneer of snowmaking in the Alps, it now operates one of the largest arsenal of snow guns on the continent, and is also a key part of one of the world's biggest ski areas.

The Milky Way extends for 400km (250 miles) from Sestriere and its neighbour Sauze d`Oulx via Sansicario, Cesana and Claviere over the border to Montgenevre in France. A new connection, by gondola lift if not ski runs, was also created for the 2006 Games linking nearby Pragelato, which hosted Nordic events.

Beginners

With snow guaranteed from November to May, learning to ski in Sestriere is certainly convenient, with gentle beginner slopes radiating out above the ski school meeting point in the resort centre.

So it should be a short walk from your hotel or apartment to the ski runs each morning, and the three hour lessons don't normally start until 10am either, so it can be quite civilized compared to the battle to get on a ski bus with your boots and skis to drive to get a lift up to the nursery slopes that can be the case at lower resorts.

We offer 'learn to ski' packages if booked in advance which include a beginners-area lift ticket (again an innovation not available at many resorts, many of which insist you buy a full area ticket even though you'll only use a few of the lifts) as well as tuition and equipment rentals.

These packages must be booked before leaving the UK normally and are up to twenty percent cheaper in low season, however whenever you visit they'll offer a sizable discount on buying the three elements separately on arrival in resort.

Intermediates

Sestriere's world-leading reputation is largely based on the vast array of opportunities it provides to regular recreational skiers. The main areas are on Sises and Banchetta, and the skiing covers virtually every imaginable type of experience from wide open powder fields, through mogul runs to classic winding trails cut down through the woodland below.

The vast Milky Way ski region provides a huge range of opportunities for intermediate skiers who can travel right across to Montgenevre via Cesana and Claviere. Just be wary to leave time to catch the last lift back.

Advanced

Sestriere was the main alpine skiing venue for the 2006 Winter Olympics and the Olympic Kandahar men's downhill run is a magnet for visiting skiers today. Runs in the Amphitaeatro bowl and the blacks at the top of Sises and Motta above Sestriere are all highly recommended.

Mount Sises provides access to excellent off piste from the slopes of Valle Ripa and Vallone del Chisonetto. There's a huge choice of off-piste options including powder tours with the ski school, ski mountaineering and heliskiing with guides.

Snowboarding

Sestriere was long criticised for not having a good terrain park, with the resort arguing that others on the Milky way were easy to reach (as they still are) at neighbouring Sauze d’Oulx and Sansicario as well as more distant Montgenevre at the other end of the circuit.

That’s all changed however with the 2007 opening of Sestriere’s own snowpark on piste number one. The park is world class and includes half pipe, quarter pipe, rails, spine, kickers a box and wall ride, there’s also a chill out zone to relax in between runs.

Although snowboarding was the only snow sport not staged in the Milky Way area at the 2006 Winter Olympics (it was staged at Bardonecchia instead), the extensive freeriding, high speed lift network and now the plethora of great terrain parks does make the region one of the world’s leading boarding centres.

Other Activities and Facilities

As you would expect for a resort of Sestriere's international reputation, there's a lot to do here when not skiing or snowboarding. Indoor facilities include a wellness centre with swimming pool as well as sauna, hammam, solarium and massage services.

There's a sports stadium with fitness centre and facilities for volleyball, basketball, five-a-side football and a climbing wall. The resort also has a cinema.

Outdoors there's an ice skating track and the chance to go snowshoeing, snow mobiling, snow biking and cross country skiing. The Olympic bobsleigh run is available for a rapid descent. Shopping is also a popular pastime with more than 130 stores to browse around.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Sestriere has a good range of more than 50 bars and restaurants. There's a strong international mix with skiers from all over Europe and further afield arriving here, rather than the more usual domination of one particular country (for example mostly Brits in Meribel or mostly Germans in Saalbach).

Popular venues when the lifts close include the Irish Igloo and Pinkies, which is also a great pizzeria. Later on Spotties cocktail bar offers more sophistication and the late night dance spot is the Tabata nightclub. Dining choices range from spaghetti to gourmet. Osteria Barabba falls somewhere in between, serving up regional specialities.

Families

Sestriere has family friendly skiing and a generous lift-ticket pricing scheme with children free until aged nine when accompanied by a paying parent.

The Neve e sole facility accepts children aged from two years to five. Children's ski school is available from age five upwards and special learn-to-ski packages are available through some tour operators if booked in advance (learn to board from age seven).

Helmets must be worn by children up to age 14 by Italian law.

Accommodation in Sestriere

• Belvedere Apartments - 3 star,
• Biancaneve - 3 star, half board
• Biancaneve - 3 star, half board
• Biancaneve - 3 star, half board
• Cavaliere - 3 star, half board
• Cavaliere - 3 star, half board
• Cavaliere - 3 star, half board
• Cristallo - 4 star, half board
• Cristallo - 4 star, half board
• Du Col - 4 star, half board
• Du Col - 4 star, half board
• Du Col - 4 star, half board
• Du Col - 4 star, half board
• Du Col - 4 star, half board
• Du Col - 4 star, half board
• Du Col - 4 star, half board
• Fraintevino - 4 star, bed & breakfast
• Fraitevino - 4 star, bed & breakfast
• Grand Hotel - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Belvedere - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Belvedere - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Belvedere - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Bianca Neve - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Cristallo - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Fraitevino - 4 star, bed & breakfast
• Miramonti - 3 star, half board
• Olympic Apartments - 3 star, half board
• Olympic Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Olympic Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Olympic Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Residence I Cavalieri - 3 star, half board
• Savoy Edelweiss - 3 star, half board
• Savoy Edelweiss - 3 star, half board
• Sestriere - 4 star, half board

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