Sestrière Overview

Sitting at 2035 metres on north-west facing slopes, the town of Sestriere forms part of the Franco-Italian Milky Way ski area, comprising 400km of pistes, which it shares with Sauze d'Oulx, Montgenevre, Claviere and Cesana.

The local runs are found in two main sections: Sises, located in front of the village, and Motta, above Borgata. Motta (2,823m) is higher than Sises and provides plenty of vertical including the steepest run in the region. Sises too offers a world-class run, the Col de Sises, from where expert skiers can access great off-piste. 

Beginners: Beginners certainly won’t be left wanting, however blue and green runs here can feel more challenging if the slopes are icy due to a lack of snowfall (which despite Sestriere’s elevation isn’t uncommon). The nursery runs are good and there are a number of easy runs located above the ski school meeting point near the centre of the resort.  Borgata, a lift ride away, has gentle blue runs which favour more confident beginners.  And Sauze also has smoother runs for beginners to get their ski on.

Intermediates: Sestriere comes up trumps for confident intermediates who can take advantage of the vast and varied terrain on offer.  Steeps, mogul fields, wooded areas and wide panoramic runs – Sestriere has plenty.  It’s easy to ski to neighbouring Montgenevre via intermediate trails which has overclassified its black runs – perfect for intermediates looking to increase their confidence and technical ability. Also, try the narrow chutes from to Claviere from Pian del Sole.

Advanced:  Sestriere has hosted several winter championships and advanced skiers have access to some technically difficult and testing runs as well as some excellent off piste.  The black run from Motta down to Val Chisonetto is one to try and on the Mongenevre side there is wild terrain around Col Vert at the top of Le Rocher de l'Aigle chair lift which attracts snowboarders. Heli-skiing is also big here and the experience is well worth the expense http://www.pureski-company.com/en.

Other favourite runs for expert skiers include the Women’s Olympic downhill run – number 79 – from Monte Fraiteve and the Men’s World Cup downhill course at the top of Sises. Tree skiing in Sestriere is highly rated by expert skiers – there are lots of wooded areas which are much less dense than those in the French Alps which means that powder can stay untracked for days. 

Turn Airport is approx. an hour's drive.