 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello! Wondering if anyone has tips for the Monterosa or Milky Way ski areas? Which village to stay in? Any good hotel recommendations?
We're a big group of 4/5 families, all competent/advanced skiiers/boarders. Have skiied in Austria, France and Andorra but our favourite is Italy. We know the Dolomites pretty well (husband is Italian) but combination of Carnevale and half term looks to be pricing us out this year so considering further afield.
We like a fairly big area so need linked resorts really, mainly piste skiing with lots of nice wide reds and a few more challenging blacks. No need for big apres, a couple of nice bars for a post ski beer will do.
All advice welcome!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Monterosa, stay in Champoluc. Hotel - depends on what you are after. For upmarket - try Aethos Monterosa
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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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If Milky Way - maybe Sestriere best bet. Even if links are closed to other areas enough Reds and Blacks.
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How big is "a fairly big area"? Monterosa's pistes are of excellent quality but the total length of them isn't huge - you can easily ski them all in two days.
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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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Thanks @mooney058.. don't need upmarket. We tend to the small, basic but excellent Italian family run hotels, no need for spas etc!
@denfinella, that's interesting, I thought it was a bit bigger. I just meant in terms of options, doesn't need to be Super Dolomiti big and don't have to ski a different slope every day but enough to keep us entertained for a week. Snowpark would be a nice to have for the teens too!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| ado wrote: |
| If Milky Way - maybe Sestriere best bet. Even if links are closed to other areas enough Reds and Blacks. |
Thanks Ado! I was looking at Sestriere.
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I agree with Ado, if you’re looking at Milky Way then Sestriere seems to tick your boxes better than Sauze. Either that or Montgenevre, French but at the opposite end of Milky Way to Sauze (Sestriere is kind of in the middle, sort of). Monty noticeably gets the best snow of the area, but Sestriere is high at resort level and usually does well for snow. Sestriere also links better to Sansicario which is almost all wide reds and blacks, just one lift up from Sestriere and you’re above Sansicario.
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@Dav, @massistar, Monty does tend to be more snow reliable - but it being French is generally more expensive for accommodation and eating on the mountain. It is also at the "end" of the Milky Way. Sestriete is high and there are easy links, generally open to San Sicario, which is lovely...and Sauze is definitely worth a day. And the ski trip to Monty itself is possibly worth a go - altho its a lot of sitting on lifts.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@mooney058, Aethos Monterosa?? oh i see a rebrand...
@massistar, We ski monterosa quite a lot (Mrs U's father came from there) and I did an 11 year old trip to Sauze. given my poor memory, I'd go Monterosa. I mean, yes you can ski the main area in a day, but who wants to stress over that? go for a nice lunch instead.
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Thanks all, food for thought!
Have considered Montgenevre before but we are definitely more Italophiles than Francophiles. 
Aethos Monterosa is most definitely out of our budget so if anyone has any recommendations for Sestriere or Champoluc that don't involve selling a kidney it would be most welcome. Feel free to DM me if you are wary of revealing any hidden gems on an open forum.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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For Champoluc try https://ski-champoluc.com/ and give them a ring. Risen from the ashes of Ski2 which was great value for half term pre-covid.
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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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@massistar, I'd not discount staying in Sauze village, very easy place to use and ski from with simple connects to Sestriere area too. There's a lot to ski on immediate doorstep and with piste return right into village centre. Its a good balance of attributes and with no particular barriers to explore more of the whole area.
Very distant reputation for it's clientele and social "ambience" long since gone in reality. It's genuinely a very good mix of extensive slopes around its close terrain, along with that big km potential that headlines the general promotion of the whole area.
Likely more cost scope in terms of accommodation here too, no particular recommendations but to look and see what deals are available to your party. Worthwhile in considering in my view.
We've had some of our best tuition there too, from Italian ski school. Thoroughly enjoyed from groups I've taken there.
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I’ve skied Via Lattea twice, once as a beginner and again ten years later as a more advanced intermediate, both times based in Sauze. I loved it both times and there really is something for everyone and meets all your criteria imo. The down itself is nice, largely car free with some great restaurants and few bars which are lively enough but certainly a distance away from their raucous reputation of 20 yrs ago.
The slopes are so varied with an abundance of long sweeping reds and some challenging blacks. There is some great off piste to be had in the several bowls across the area. Links to the wider area are plenty accessible certainly for skiers of your standard.
Staying in Sestriere does allow quicker access as it’s more central but as a place to stay I prefer Sauze. I love it there and look forward to returning sometime soon.
Can’t compare to Monterosa as I’ve never been there.
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You know it makes sense.
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I think for what you describe Via Lattea would be great. Monte Rosa piste skiing is a bit more limited and the area is most attractive if you want to ski off piste (not that it would be a BAD option). Sestriere is good but personally I think Sauze d'Oulx is a bit of a gem and I'd go there.
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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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Just wanted to come back and thank everyone for taking the time to comment. We've booked self catering apartments in Sauze d'Oulx. Counting down now although will be popping over to see our son at Christmas who is doing a season in Pila.
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Poster: A snowHead
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To build your excitement - follow this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Sauzeonline
They do weekly snow reports from Sauze starting around early December.
If convenience is valued - there is a ski rental place at the Clotes lift (the main village lift) - I found the gear to be good and they also have ski lockers.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| ado wrote: |
To build your excitement - follow this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Sauzeonline
They do weekly snow reports from Sauze starting around early December.
If convenience is valued - there is a ski rental place at the Clotes lift (the main village lift) - I found the gear to be good and they also have ski lockers. |
That's great, thank you!! Convenience is very much important now that we are all descending into middle age. 
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Regarding Montgenevre.
Be aware that this is France, and it will be chock-full and highly-priced because February is the peak season.
The advantage of both MonteRosa and Via Lattea is, that Italy does NOT have half-term holidays!!!
MonteRosa is smaller in total slope length, but compared to Via Lattea 2 important differences:
1. The length of the slopes is MUCH longer. Salati to Gressoney is 1100 height meters. From Indren even 1400.
2. The views. MonteRosa has mountain scenery of Himalayan proportions. MonteRosa is 3000 meters higher than the valley floor.
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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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@ado provided the YouTube link, which is great, but you can also visit the associated website www.sauzeonline.com which is also very useful. It’s run by a chap called James (who makes the YouTube vids) and we’ve used him a couple of times for an airport minibus from Turin, it was the cheapest prices we could find and a really good service both times.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Dav, agreed - I arranged the ski hire and the airport transfer with www.sauzeonline.com - they hire with http://www.paolochalp.com/en/ and the ski transfer was great value and I also wanted the security of a local point of contact if anything went amiss.
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