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Introduction
Sestriere is the world's original purpose-built altitude ski village, established in 1934, long before the better known French resorts started springing up in the 1960s. To this day it remains one of Europe's highest resorts, one of only 10 in the continent's top 500 located above 2,000m (6,562ft).
Sestriere was built by the family that owned the Fiat Car Company and remained in their possession until early in 2007 when it was disposed of as part of a swathe of asset sales. Under their ownership, the resort was a pioneer of snowmaking and built up an arsenal of nearly 1,000 snow guns in the 1970s and 80s, long before most of Europe began thinking about snowmaking at all. The combination of altitude and snowmaking makes Sestriere one of the world's most snowsure resorts.
Sestriere was also a host to the World Alpine Ski Championships in 1997 and alpine events in the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.
It is the main resort on the giant Via Lattea (Milky Way) pass which links Sestriere's neighbour Sauze d'Oulx to Montgenèvre in France, via Sansicario, Cesana and border-village Claviere. Skiers at Sestriere have access to 440km (275 miles) of ski runs.
Sestriere was built by the family that owned the Fiat Car Company and remained in their possession until early in 2007 when it was disposed of as part of a swathe of asset sales. Under their ownership, the resort was a pioneer of snowmaking and built up an arsenal of nearly 1,000 snow guns in the 1970s and 80s, long before most of Europe began thinking about snowmaking at all. The combination of altitude and snowmaking makes Sestriere one of the world's most snowsure resorts.
Sestriere was also a host to the World Alpine Ski Championships in 1997 and alpine events in the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.
It is the main resort on the giant Via Lattea (Milky Way) pass which links Sestriere's neighbour Sauze d'Oulx to Montgenèvre in France, via Sansicario, Cesana and border-village Claviere. Skiers at Sestriere have access to 440km (275 miles) of ski runs.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 2,035m (6,676ft).
Top elevation: Sestriere: 2,840m (9,318ft); Milky Way: 2,840m (9,318ft).
Base elevation: Sestriere: 1,357m (4,452ft); Milky Way: 1,357m (4,452ft).
Number of lifts: Sestriere: 21; Milky Way: 88.
Number of runs: Sestriere: 35; Milky Way: 214.
Average annual snowfall: 5m (16ft).
Where in the world?
Sestriere is made up of four villages (Sestriere Colle, Sestriere Borgata, Champlas du Col and Champlas Janvier) and is located in the Susa Valley within the Piedmont region of the northwestern Italian Alps, very close to the border with France.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from early December until late April.
Sestriere's skiing is spread over four local areas - Banchetta, Fraiteve, Sises and Rio Nero, with hundreds of kilometres of lift-linked terrain beyond, towards neighbouring Sansicario (and on to Cesana, then Claviere and then Montgenèvre, or back over to Sauze d'Oulx). If you do venture over to France by ski, make sure you allow a full day and set off early to be sure you make all the connections back.
Sestriere itself lies in an area of gentle meadows, so there are excellent nursery slopes around the resort and, with the altitude and snowmaking, these remain open throughout the season.
Experts should not miss the Kandahar Slalom Giovanni Alberto Agnelli run, which has hosted countless Alpine Skiing World Cups as well as the slalom races run during the Winter Olympics in Turin. The Col de Sises black is also a must-ski, having been host to giant slalom races in the same competitions.
Sestriere's skiing is spread over four local areas - Banchetta, Fraiteve, Sises and Rio Nero, with hundreds of kilometres of lift-linked terrain beyond, towards neighbouring Sansicario (and on to Cesana, then Claviere and then Montgenèvre, or back over to Sauze d'Oulx). If you do venture over to France by ski, make sure you allow a full day and set off early to be sure you make all the connections back.
Sestriere itself lies in an area of gentle meadows, so there are excellent nursery slopes around the resort and, with the altitude and snowmaking, these remain open throughout the season.
Experts should not miss the Kandahar Slalom Giovanni Alberto Agnelli run, which has hosted countless Alpine Skiing World Cups as well as the slalom races run during the Winter Olympics in Turin. The Col de Sises black is also a must-ski, having been host to giant slalom races in the same competitions.
Beyond the slopes
Sestriere is very much a skier and boarder's resort with limited public facilities off the slopes.
There is however a games room, cinema, sports centre and ice rink. Spa facilities including sauna, massage, Turkish bath and Jacuzzis are available and there's squash, basketball and indoor tennis courts.
Outdoor activities include snowmobiling, mountain biking on snow, sleigh rides, dog sledding and paragliding.
There is however a games room, cinema, sports centre and ice rink. Spa facilities including sauna, massage, Turkish bath and Jacuzzis are available and there's squash, basketball and indoor tennis courts.
Outdoor activities include snowmobiling, mountain biking on snow, sleigh rides, dog sledding and paragliding.
Family fun
The resort's Neve e Sole daycare facility (Piazzale Kandahar) accepts children from age two to five, when they can move on to ski school lessons with the Scuola Sci Sestriere (meets at the snow meeting point by the nursery slopes). Children do not have to pay for lift tickets until age eight, one of the most generous child ticketing deals in the Alps for younger children.
Off the slopes Sestriere has limited facilities for families, although the large amount of affordable pizza and pasta restaurants is a bonus for many.
Off the slopes Sestriere has limited facilities for families, although the large amount of affordable pizza and pasta restaurants is a bonus for many.
Retail therapy
Sestriere is a good choice for shoppers, with more than 100 stores in and around the resort. Being located within 240km (150 miles) of Milan no doubt helps the stylish boutiques offer a choice of either genuine designer, or designer-style, fashions and other consumer items.
There are also souvenir shops and delis for local products, including regional wines, and there's normally a street market in Piazza Agnelli on Tuesdays.
There are also souvenir shops and delis for local products, including regional wines, and there's normally a street market in Piazza Agnelli on Tuesdays.
Après ski
Often lively, Sestriere attracts snow sports fans from all over Europe and further afield creating an international party atmosphere in the 20 or so bars and night spots.
The People Pub (Via Monterotta 5C) and The Cavern (Via Louset 6C) are both good choices, but The Irish Igloo (Piazza Agnelli 2) usually tops the party list, even making the pages of the New York Times in 2006 when the basement bar became the USA ski team's unofficial home during the Olympics. The sole disco is Tabata (Via Monterotta 1).
The People Pub (Via Monterotta 5C) and The Cavern (Via Louset 6C) are both good choices, but The Irish Igloo (Piazza Agnelli 2) usually tops the party list, even making the pages of the New York Times in 2006 when the basement bar became the USA ski team's unofficial home during the Olympics. The sole disco is Tabata (Via Monterotta 1).
Eating out
Sestriere has 30 restaurants and with a more international, sometimes cosmopolitan, feel than most Italian ski resorts, there is a better selection than the usual collection of pizzeria and spaghetterias - although never fear, there are plenty of them too.
At the high calibre cuisine end, El Gigèt (Via Cesana 3) offers both classic Italian dishes and Piemontesi specialities, whilst Du Grand Père (Via Forte Seguin 14) has a pleasant ambience along with great food.
Amongst the many pizzeria choices, Pinky (Piazza Fraiteve 5N) is fast and friendly and Zio Popy (Via Monterotta 1C) is also known for its speedy service.
At the high calibre cuisine end, El Gigèt (Via Cesana 3) offers both classic Italian dishes and Piemontesi specialities, whilst Du Grand Père (Via Forte Seguin 14) has a pleasant ambience along with great food.
Amongst the many pizzeria choices, Pinky (Piazza Fraiteve 5N) is fast and friendly and Zio Popy (Via Monterotta 1C) is also known for its speedy service.
Getting around
A free ski bus service circulates around the resort approximately every 30 minutes, with extra services at peak times.
Splashing out
Heli-skiing, banned over the border in France as well as in another leading European ski nation, Austria, is popular here. A single lift can give access to magnificent long descents. Available through Heliskiing ValSusa (website: www.heliski-valsusa.com).
Accommodation
Luxury
CristalloNew 46-room 4-star hotel with quality spa and dining, located in the resort centre and close to lifts.
Via Pinerolo 5
Tel: (0122) 750 707.
Website: www.newlinehotels.com
Moderate
Duchi D'AostaIconic round concrete tower hotel that dominates the Sestriere skyline, now Club Med run, offering slopeside convenience.
Via Possetto 5
Tel: (0122) 799 800.
Website: www.clubmed.it
Budget
Albergo del CentroTraditional nine-room albergo, chalet-style, recently renovated, with all rooms en-suite.
Via Nazionale 17
Tel: 0122 77138.
Getting there
Nearest airport: Turin (TRN),
Distance to resort: 93km (58 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
Distance to resort: 93km (58 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Intermediates, Snowboarders, Snow reliability, Families, Beginners, Experts
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