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Sestriere Ski Resort
The wonderful thing about Sestriere is that it’s really easy to reach – only about an hour and a half by car from Turin airport.
Things are just as convenient when you arrive: This was the first purpose built resort in the Alps (thanks to the owners of Fiat). While it won’t be found on any lists of the world’s prettiest ski towns, its handy location more than makes up for it - high on the mountainside in the Northern Province of Turin, near the Franco-Italian border.
Most hotels are rated 3/4 stars, while apartments (some in the centre, others on the edge of town) are a super way to spend a more intimate week with family and friends. A lot of the accommodation is ski-out or a short walk from the slopes. With Sestriere hogging the highest spot in the ski area (and one of the highest in all of Italy) you’re usually skiing out onto terrific conditions.
And what a ski area - the sumptuous international Milky Way covers 8 resorts in all, including Sauze d’Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere and Montgenevre in France. Slopes cover a whacking great 400km and you’ll struggle to find any type of snow lover who’s not catered for. Having hosted the 1997 FIS World Championship and the men’s alpine skiing competitions in the winter Olympics in 2006, the quality of things from slopes to snowmaking is high.
The whole place works well for families with young children and teens, with excellent ski schools and a bundle of off-slope activities: Indoor golf, ice-skating and paintballing and a playground on the slopes for the young ones. Grown-ups love the laid back restaurants and bars, where food and drink cost a lot less than you’d find in France or Switzerland (€6 a pizza at Le 2 Stagioni – and fabulous pizza at that).
Stats & FAQ
Location: Italian Alps.
Established: 1934
Open: December – April
Downhill: 400km
View our detailed Sestriere snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Sestriere snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Turin/Torino – Caselle (TRN) | 90km from Sestriere, 2 hours |
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| Top Altitude: | 2823(m) |
| Bottom Altitude: | 2035(m) |
| Resort Altitude: | 2035(m) |
| Longest run: | 5 (km) |
| Slope Orientation: | North/West |
| Vertical Drop: | 1466(m) |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1466(m) |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 400km |
| Beginner slopes: | 24% |
| Intermediate: | 55% |
| Advanced slopes: | 22% |
| Lift Pass Price: | €180 (adult 6 day for whole Milky Way) |
| Nearby resorts: Milky Way, Claviere, Montgenevre, Pragelato, Sansicario and Sauze d'Oulx | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Sestriere
There’s a whopping 400km of slopes to explore here, and the fact that it hosted the 2006 winter Olympics is a fine mark of quality. Two local ski areas - Mount Sises and Motta - are accessible directly from the town and with the Milky Way lift pass in hand, you can ski far and wide across the Via Lattea. Sauze d'Oulx is easy to reach by gondola, and Sestriere’s also a super base for day trips across the border to Montgenevre in France.
One of the best things for beginners is the price of ski lessons – which are often half of what you’d pay in France for the same high standard of tuition. You’ll find ten beginner runs in the local ski area alone, with the two directly above resort tending to be the very first ones you ski. The Manovia run is reserved specifically for learners, so even on busy weekends and school holidays, you can practice in peace and quiet before hitting the main slopes.
Intermediates will have an absolute ball, with 20 runs nearby and 102 in the Milky Way. Banchetta and Sises are your two main sectors, each crammed with gloriously wide and scenic runs. You can easily ski to neighbouring Sauze D’Oulx and Montgenevre on reds. To up the difficulty, the Number One is a SNO favourite.
There are a number of black runs (we like #5 on Mt Sises which forks off into more black-graded pistes). Check out the racing slopes too - Kandahar slalom and Kandahar Banchetta have been used in World Championship races (see if night skiing is still available on them for an amazing moonlit descent). On good snow week, the off-piste is cracking with piles of powder between the trees. Get a guide to show you the Rio Nero Valley, or make the most of the cheap heli-trips for the ultimate powder run.
With so many wide groomers, snowboarders will love it here. The snowpark is a great spot to try out 360’s (there’s another in Sauze for a change of scene) and specialist instructors at YES Snowboard School are always on hand for tuition.
Sestriere Apres Ski
Après-ski livens up at the weekends with the influx of local Italians who come to enjoy their free time in the town. During the week the resort is more relaxed but still offers a fun vibe and good nightlife with plenty of bars to wind down in and reminisce over the days adventures. Groups will always find great places to spend their evenings with a few drinks and delicious food. For those all-important après-ski drinks, Pinky’s Pizzeria is the place to be (and if you’ve worked up an appetite on the slopes, it also does amazing pizzas for around 6 euros).
Kandahar wine bar and Brahms bar are popular pre- dinner drinks and both offer a great ambiance. A couple of must-try drinks are Spritz and Grolla- an amaretto based ceramic sharing pot, enough to warm any skier in the winter ski period. You can pick these up in most bars and on the mountain at Chalet Raggio di Sole, a favourite among many skiers. You can enjoy live music on Saturdays at Bar Abba which also boasts exquisite food and a top class wine menu. Singers can get even get involved in a touch of karaoke (Irish Igloo Bar and Al kovo are popular spots for this) and if you’re making a night of it Tabata is a popular, lively nightclub for those wanting to dance the night away.
Restaurants to satisfy every palate scatter the centre of the resort. For romance and sophistication L’Antica Spelonca is the perfect dining spot. Eating out for the whole family is easy as there are loads of casual pizzerias and cafes, such as Baby Bar and Pinkies Pizzeria. The foodies of the bunch will appreciate the unbeatable Italian cuisine in this cultural hub with a number of great, rustic Italian restaurants to try.
As well as wining and dining there are many activities for the whole family off the slopes. Indoor golf, shopping, ice-skating and indoor pools, paintballing and Bobsleighing are a number of the fun activities to get involved in. There is also a cinema and a library for those taking a rest from the piste.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Sestriere
Best time to visit & ski Sestriere
The high altitudes (up to 2823 on M. Motta) and north-west facing slopes give Sestriere a history of great skiing conditions throughout the season.
At 2035m, this is one of the highest ski resorts in the country, and often it’s the Milky Way’s first and last resort to be skiable each year (making it a top choice for Christmas or Easter holidays).
There’s also the back up of extensive snowmaking, which was set up for the Olympics in 2006. Making up for any erratic Italian snowfall, this means that cover is constantly in supply throughout the season.
Peak Dates
Spend your winter evenings gathered around the magical Christmas tree with a drink in hand, or in a cosy bar sipping Grolla and mingling with the mix of nationalities. Book a ski holiday over Christmas in Sestriere and stay in an apartment away from the buzz of the town for a homely and relaxed Christmas time, or celebrate the festivities in the social hub with hotels offering ski in- ski out accommodation. Sestriere Christmas ski holidays ‣
This charismatic Italian ski-town is ideal for those wanting to celebrate the New Year in a charming winter wonderland. Spend New Year in Sestriere and enjoy the lively après, a fireworks show at midnight and the Italian exuberance that comes alive in the countdown to New Year. Perfect for skiing in the New Year at the heart of the Italian via Lattea and for lively après-ski. Sestriere New Year ski holidays ‣
A history of high snow fall in February means the piste usually has great snow with great skiing conditions for all abilities to explore the Milky Way over February Half Term in Sestriere. The buzz of the town comes alive during peak weeks with loads of lively bars to relax in after a long day on the slopes. Enjoy an array of delicious Italian cuisine ranging from casual pizzerias to Michelin starred restaurants. Sestriere Half Term ski holidays ‣
High altitude and N/W facing slope orientation make this is a good option for Easter skiing. All abilities can enjoy Easter in Sestriere with an abundance of challenging runs and well groomed terrain for the confident of the group with first-timers able to enjoy the peace of the beginner slopes. The playground on the slopes, fun ski schools and plenty of off piste activities give families the perfect place for their Italian ski holiday. Sestriere Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Sestriere
Slopes designated for beginners, ski schools and children’s clubs means that families will be well accommodated during their ski holiday in Sestriere. School holidays are fairly busy on the slopes but beginners can learn in peace with the Manovia area dedicated to the newbies. For families with younger children, Sestrieland is a fun play-ground on the slopes that makes a great day for the family. Scuola ski school have a children’s group so families can leave the children in the safe hands of the instructors whilst they explore the more challenging runs in the Milky Way. For the Non-skiers there are loads of other activities such as sports and spa facilities, paintballing, bobsleighing and sledging! An indoor golf course and ice-rink are also popular among non-skiers.
There are a number of nurseries and child care facilities in the town, many of which can be arranged at certain hotels. Check with us for any childcare queries and make sure to book in advance for busy holiday periods as they can fill up quickly.
The resort is very family orientated and we have some great accommodation for those skiing with young children or teens such as the Hotel Cristallo, located directly opposite the ski school meeting point as well as a number of apartments to ensure a more intimate family time. See our range of family ski deals in Sestriere below. The best family ski holidays leave children and adults happy – let us relieve the stress of finding your perfect holiday by giving us a call.
GroupsGroup Holidays Sestriere
Great for mixed ability groups, Sestriere has a variety of slopes for all skiing abilities with loads of intermediate trails and more challenging runs for the advanced as well as beginner slopes and some fantastic ski schools. There is a range of accommodation including large hotels to suit different group sizes, where you can book in any stragglers who want to join the group later on in the process and apartments for a more intimate skiing experience to accommodate any group. The Olympic apartments and Hotel Cristallo are located in the centre of town really close to the slopes which makes them ideal if you want to maximise ski time.
The relaxed atmosphere of the bars creates the perfect place for groups to spend their evening. Irish Igloo bar and Tabata disco will be good for those seeking a party filled night whilst Il Kavo and Bar abba are great for a few casual drinks. It’s not just the great skiing that attracts groups to this resort but there are also a range of activities off the mountain make it great for people of all ages. For a girly day away from the snow, a number of hotels offer spa facilities for blissful pampering. Paintballing and Bobsleighing are also available and indoor golf is popular for all ages.
We’re confident that our ski specialists can find the perfect group holiday for you. Have a browse through our holidays or give us a call to find out about our large and small group discounts.
Which are the best ski holidays in Sestriere?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Hotel Sestriere | 7 | £ 629 |
| Hotel Savoy Edelweiss | 7 | £ 709 |
| Hotel Sud Ovest | 7 | £ 659 |
| Hotel Banchetta | 7 | £ 711 |
| Grand Hotel Sestriere | 7 | £ 724 |
| Hotel Gran Roc | 7 | £ 801 |
| Hotel Principi di Piemonte | 7 | £ 816 |
| Hotel Du Col | 7 | £ 818 |
| Hotel Savoy Edelweiss | 7 | £ 704 |
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