Four hundred kilometres of interconnected slopes stretch across the border between Italy and France, forming one of the largest ski areas in the world. The Via Lattea, or Milky Way, links seven resorts including Sestriere, Sauze dOulx, and Montgenèvre, offering runs for every ability level. Wide, gentle boulevards suit beginners, while steep couloirs test even expert skiers. The system of lifts and trails is vast enough that a single week is barely enough to explore it all. Each resort retains its own character, from the purpose-built modernity of Sestriere to the traditional stone architecture of the smaller villages. The altitude guarantees good snow, and the long season extends well into spring.
Via Lattea, which means Milky Way, is a large ski centre stretching at the Italian-French border, about 70 kilometres west of the city of Turin (Torino). Most of its territory lies on the Italian side, where are popular resorts like Sestriere, Sauze dOulx, Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere and Pragelato. On French territory you can find Montgenèvre resort. The area of Via Lattea became much known in 2006 when it hosted many competitions during Turin Winter Olympics, including Alpine, Nordic and acrobatic skiing.
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by raffaele sergi
The Olympic Legacy and Ski Area
The area of Via Lattea boasts in total 400 km of ski slopes, situated in the mountains at an altitude of 1,350 to 2,823 metres above sea level. There are 200 mainly red interconnected pistes, and you should definitely not miss the Olympic slopes located in Sestriere or Sansicario. Pragelato is the location of the Olympic cross-country trails. A total of 79 lifts here can transport more than 105,000 skiers within an hour. The 2006 Winter Olympics transformed the area, leaving behind world-class infrastructure that still benefits visitors today. Sestriere was purpose-built and features the distinctive twin towers of the Duca dAosta and Principi di Piemonte hotels. The famous Kandahar Banchetta slope hosted the men downhill and super-G events. Each resort in the Via Lattea has its own unique atmosphere: Sestriere offers modern high-rise convenience, Sauze dOulx charms with its narrow streets and lively après-ski scene, while Montgenèvre on the French side provides a quieter, more traditional alpine experience. The whole area is linked by an efficient lift system that lets you ski from one resort to another without ever taking off your skis.
Après-Ski and Practical Information
Via Lattea offers several snow parks, ski schools and has over 30 restaurants directly on the slopes. An offer of après-ski activities in the area is fully sufficient thanks to shops, bars and restaurants where you can taste the specialties of delicious local cuisine. Those who are full of energy after a day of skiing can skate on ice rinks in Sestriere, Sauze dOulx and Claviere. The region is also known for its culinary traditions, with Michelin-starred restaurants in Sestriere and family-run trattorias in the smaller resorts serving agnolotti pasta, braised beef in Barolo wine, and artisanal alpine cheeses. For families, the resorts provide supervised children areas, ski kindergartens, and dedicated beginner zones. One day ski pass costs 20 euros, or you can buy a 6-day ski pass covering all 400 km of slopes for 231 euros. For further details visit the official site of Via Lattea.
The ski schools in Via Lattea cater to all ages and abilities, with English-speaking instructors available at most resorts. Equipment rental shops are located at the base of every major lift, offering skis, snowboards, and helmets at competitive daily rates. For non-skiers, the resorts offer snowshoeing excursions, winter hiking trails, and scenic cable car rides to the mountain summits for panoramic views of the Italian Alps. The town of Sestriere also has an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool and sports centre that is open to the public. For those arriving by car, the resorts are accessible via the A32 Turin-Bardonecchia motorway, and parking is available at the base of each resort. The closest international airports are Turin Caselle and Milan Malpensa, both with regular bus and train connections to the ski area.
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