Poster: A snowHead
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Looking to book mid January, I'm an average intermediate, can anybody recommend Italy? Somebody was saying about poor ski lifts but the resorts look fab
thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Both are good options - recommended. I'd say they are excellent for intermediates but also for people who love tree skiing.
Sestriere has higher skiing on the doorstep but TBH in January that shouldn't be a factor.
Sauze D'Oulx is prettier and has a really nice feel.
I'd chose Sauze personally but you won't go wrong with either.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Livigno? There are a few Snowheads going to be there, having been to Sauze I wouldn't go back. Sestriere seemed a bit better but only marginally. This is the link to last year, I'm guessing there will be more info on 2018 soon. http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=127062
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'm much the same, an average intermediate and really enjoyed Sauze. Excellent instruction (2hr private lesson) which was much cheaper than France. The slopes are mainly easy reds and tend to be wide even through the trees. Food was pretty cheap and very good.
The lifts are a bit old, but this was only an issue at the weekend when it became much busier. During the week (2nd week in March) there were hardly any queues, the sun shone and the people are very friendly. If you can accept the slightly anarchic Italian ways I think it's a great choice.
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Quote: |
Food was pretty cheap and very good.
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SHould have said that - food is excellent
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We had a good week at Sestriere in March a few years ago. But I had the feeling that it might feel a bit bleak in mid-Jan if the weather closes in. Also in theory you can stay in either place and ski over to the other, but it was so windy that the link was closed except for one day - be warned!
And food was excellent
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Sauze is a great spot. Lovely tree skiing back to the village with a huge area at your doorstep too. If you can go over to Montregenevre for the day too as it’s a good day out.
Plenty of good bars and restaurants in Sauze too.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Another Sauze recommendation from me. One issue as @1gunsalute, said is that the link across to Sestriere (and hence the rest of the Milky Way) can be closed especially mid-week in the low season. I got the impression they were saving the snow up top for the weekend skiers although wind can also be a problem on occasion.
A big advantage over Livigno is the short transfer time.
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You can't go wrong with Sauze. Great intermediate skiing and decent apres. Ski lifts were fine the couple of times I've been there
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Gremlin81 wrote: |
You can't go wrong with Sauze. Great intermediate skiing and decent apres. Ski lifts were fine the couple of times I've been there |
Agreed. Very nice village feel. Some great, good value restaurants. Slopes/lifts a bit of a trek uphill from the centre though. Excursions into Sestriere have never made it appear a better alternative base.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Agreed. Nice to ski Sestriere on tge the pass but definitely think Sauze makes for a superior hub
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mark8500 wrote: |
..... can anybody recommend Italy? |
The default setting when it comes to the alps.
As regards Sauze or Sestriere it's pretty much down to how old you are ...... not that it's ever that simple.
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You know it makes sense.
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Sestriere is one of the worst looking places ever.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I'd pick Sauze over Sestriere - probably a little biased though as I lived there for 4 years, many moons ago! Sestriere is a purpose-built mountain village, higher than Sauze but lacks character. Sauze is a proper mountain village with much more character and it's nice to ski back down into after a day on the slopes. Good selection of bars and places to eat. Sauze is good for an average intermediate and has lots of long runs down into the town.
You can ski down into Jovencaux on a nice long red or take the black route then get the lift back up to Sauze or go across to the quieter slopes of Plan de la Rocca. If you take the button lift up to the top, you can ski down into Sansicario and on to Mont Genevre although later in the season this gets really mushy as it's in the sun all day. Alternatively, take the mini cable car down into Sestriere or ski down the easy blue and then spend the day over in Sestriere.
I'd always pick Sauze for the atmosphere though.
Buon divertimento!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Stayed in both, If snow is good choose Sauze runs through larchs attractive and more character and life in town.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Stayed in both, If snow is good choose Sauze runs through larchs attractive and more character and life in town.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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+2 for Sauze, OH and self.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I went to both last year, staying in Sauze. I found the last leg of the piste down to Sauze a bit of a bug for beginners if icy, Sestriere felt more open and easier to get around. Having said that we had a ball and there were plenty of bars and eating places for the evening.
I found the piste map/markers not as easy as those in the French resorts I'd been too. Ended up on an icy black coming back when the clag set in, my nearest and dearest was in tears. When the sun came out we could see where we went wrong and it didn't look as bad.
I couldn't recommend one over the other but as they're connected either is good for skiing. If you want night life, someone else may be better placed to answer, I skied, cooked, ate and slept
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