Sestriere, Italy (eng)

la versione Italiana di questo articolo è qui

Despite being a quite featureless (unless you consider its jewelry stores and dozens of boutiques scattered here and there ... ) and, frankly , quite ugly village, there is no doubt that Sestriere finds its place within the Gotha of winter tourism. In fact, there are very few places that have a past and present sport heritage like the one of this town in the Turin Alps. Several editions of the World Cup , World Championships and, most importantly, the Turin 2006 XX Olympic Winter Games were held on these tracks.

Created from scratch in the 1930s, it was one of the first resorts to be conceived for and revolve exclusively around skiing. Its two famous tower-hotels have rapidly become the symbol of the town.

Sestriere is now at the centre of one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, the Via Lattea, which connects — through ski routes — five resorts in Italy and one in France for a total (declared ) of 400km of slopes. In addition to this, Sestriere is  easily accessible ( the Turin - Bardonecchia highway and Oulx railway station are only a few kilometers away from it) and very well-equipped. The other side of the coin is that one should be prepared to spend quite a lot of money to stay in one of the many local hotels or to eat at one of the various classy restaurants available.

Needless to say, there are so many beautiful tracks here and you'll be spoilt for choice, especially if you plan a long stay and you have the chance to explore the entire Via Lattea surroundings. This review, however, focuses in particular on the area of Sestriere.

Olympic Aristocracy

Ski Area

Created in the 80s, unifying the resorts of Sauze d'Oulx, Sestriere, San Sicario / Cesana , Claviere and the French Montgenevre, the Via Lattea was one of the first major Italian ski area. Its extension remains impressive even today. From the top of Mount Fraiteve, ideally at the center of the Via Lattea, at 2700 meters, your view over the skiable area extends to the horizon in all directions.

Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks that prevent you from enjoying to the fullest the vastness of the area (going to Claviere from San Sicario, for example, requires about 20/25 minutes of ups-and-downs by skilifts ...). However, if you are up for it, in one day you can visit all the locations of the ski area                               (I recommend watching the clock and not being late ... the consequences could be dire! )

My advice is to choose a specific area and explore its tracks, without the stress of  the facilities’ closing time.

With regard to Sestriere, in particular, three areas can be defined: the Sises (the one facing the village, where we find the bizarre coexistence of extremely challenging runs such as Kandahar Slalom and those for beginners), Borgata Sestriere (mostly easy tracks), and Mount Banchetta (with long beautiful runs that end in Borgata).

In pink my favourite runs

Here are my favorite slopes:

Fantastica Kandahar Nasi

-          Kandahar Nasi. Not to be mistaken with the slalom run bearing a very similar name. This track has undergone several changes up to the current shape for the 2006 Olympics, when it hosted the downhill and superG events. It may be difficult to locate it in the maze of tracks and variations on Mount Banchetta (the rare indication signs will not help you). However, once you do this track, the satisfaction alone is worth the ‘logistics’ trouble. Starting from the arrival of the Motta skilift at 2800 meters, on the left, a really challenging first part (and often with humps) leads you to a central part full of slope variations that are really fun (though crowded). In the final long schuss, your legs will ask for mercy!

-          63 On this broad plateau of Mount Banchetta you will have fun on this beautiful, sunny red slope. Here, in contrast to many ‘sisters  slopes’ in the same area, you will not find many skiers and you can also engage in large and fast curves. Shortly before the end of the runway, if you want, you may divert to the right on the slower track that leads to Pragelato. It's very restful (even from the point of view of landscape ) and is brand-new (which is really a rarity in this area!).

Final part of the 63

-          Kandahar Slalom. To be honest, as often happens to the slopes used for the World Cup slaloms, this track certainly does not stand out for being particularly fun. Everything changes when the upper part of the slope is open (track 5, unfortunately very exposed to the whims of the wind). Mix all this together and you will have a fantastic giant slalom track. Technical, difficult and renowned. In the air, the aura of Alberto Tomba and Benjamin Raich.

Kandahar Slalom...

Skipass

In one word: cheap. I do not think you can find this quality/price ratio elsewhere in the Alps.

The daily pass valid throughout the Via Lattea, except for Montgenevre, costs only €36 (€47 with that area included). A six-day pass costs €190(only for the Italian area; the cost of a daily extension to include Montgenevre is €23... not a deal). A six-day pass for the whole area (including Montgenevre ) costs €240.

Skitrotter Tips

• Via Lattea is one of the few districts that promotes online purchases, with a €2 discount on the full price. If you think it’s not that much, consider that the real benefit is to avoid the long lines at the cash (especially in high season and public holidays).
• Coming from the A32 Turin –Bardonecchia highway, you can save time and gas and avoid nerve attacks (finding a parking place here is easier), stopping in Cesana Torinese and reaching the area of Sestriere (from San Sicario), via gondola lift.
• Sestriere hosted the first World Cup night race: a powerful lightning system brightens up the Kandahar Slalom track. But the greatest news is that if you have a valid daily ski pass, your skiing under the stars is for free! Find out on the ski area’s website the evenings when the facility is in operation.
• For a lunch break on the slopes, try Chisonetto (Banchetta area): good, fast (for me a feature that worths gold) and topped off with a fantastic view.
• Many spots for après-ski. The one that seems to be the coolest this winter is GFC (to avoid during lunchtime ... biblical waiting for a meal!), it's located on the slopes in front of the village. 
• Not necessarily the dinner should be expensive: great pizzas and a decent final bill at Lo Scoiattolo, in the village. 
• If the force still is with you, do not miss an evening at Tabata, historical club (not only for Sestriere, but for the whole Turin area).

Info

Sestriere (Torino), Italy

By car, A32 highway, Oulx exit, then 25 minutes on state road to destination
By train, FS station Oulx-Cesana-Sestriere and 25 minutes by bus
By plane, Torino Sandro Pertini Airport (109 km)

www.vialattea.it

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Neighborhood

Sauze d'Oulx (26 Km)
Bardonecchia (35 km)
Serre Chevalier (32 km)

More Info

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