@Whitegold, Do you know if the reverse is true? Ie whether a 6-day Bardonecchia pass gets a day at Via Lattea? Sempreski's site suggests so but can't see anything to confirm on the official Bardo website (which is pretty terrible tbh).
Italian ski resorts have some of the worst websites in the world.
All those Sauze-Bardo resorts share the same lift company, so the 1-day agreement should be reciprocal.
If you email the official Bardonecchia tourist office, they will know.
Heading out on Sunday (Sauze) and looking at the interactive maps there are still quite a lot of slopes closed even though they seem to be at similar altitude as many open slopes (theoretically should have similar snow or lack of snow).
Would these be closed due to insufficient snow or is it a financial decision by resort management not to open too many areas when still a tad low season or a mix of both?
I'm trying to anticipate if I can expect more slopes to be open next week or will it still be as restricted.
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?
Deibitto wrote:
@Whitegold, Do you know if the reverse is true? Ie whether a 6-day Bardonecchia pass gets a day at Via Lattea? Sempreski's site suggests so but can't see anything to confirm on the official Bardo website (which is pretty terrible tbh).
"holders of Vialattea 6- to 15-day ski passes are entitled to a Bardonecchia extension by presenting the valid ski pass at the Bardonecchia ski resort ticket."
@conor256, This is probably just a guide but it may help:
I'd expect it's a bit of both to be honest; there hasn't been that much new snow since just before Christmas and those upper slopes had been scoured by the winds, so much of it either looked un-skiable or at least, there wasn't enough snow for drag lift strips to be created.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Yes mix of both, having been a couple of times both pre and post the change of ownership, the "new" owners ICON, clearly need to demonstrate a return on investment. Yes they did upgrade the cit-roc chair out of sestriere which was much needed and they have apparently being upgrading the snow making system too. However they do seem reluctant to open more slopes than are needed, especially when its quiet, to save cost of running peripheral lifts, save water and power on snow making,save on piste bashing and save snow for the busier weekend crowd. We went similar late (Jan time) with not disimilar snow depths / cover and there was more closed the latter time.
that said some of the closed pistes are the exposed wind blown ones or ones right on the edge of the area with very limited or no snow making, so if opened they would soon be trashed with minimal natural snow cover.
Its nice to show 400km of piste on your marketing material, but you don't need to open them all the time. That said we've had a great time when we've been and once you're skiing you ski what's there. I'd happily loop the Sansicaro slopes for a few hours without worrying that a couple of parallel / similar runs weren't available to me.
Its nice to show 400km of piste on your marketing material, but you don't need to open them all the time. That said we've had a great time when we've been and once you're skiing you ski what's there. I'd happily loop the Sansicaro slopes for a few hours without worrying that a couple of parallel / similar runs weren't available to me.
Agreed. Those runs down to Sansicario are great; steep and flowing with incredible views down into the valley, they give a real sense of being high up. I kicked myself for not doing more of those but a daughter who had a panic attack one day and losing my 15yo the following it seems cursed LOL
I will also add that there are definitely some 'runs' that shouldn't add to the total KM of the area.... not sure about Sauze or other towns, but in Sestriere there are some dubious claims of a run actually being a run; Tunnel Garel being one - it's a concrete link tunnel for 100m - but overall, I do have fond memories of the place and regardless of the actual KMs on offer, it really does offer some fantastic skiing and snowboarding.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Thanks for feedback. I'm not overly optimistic that much more will be open next week but we will make the best of what's on offer
After all it is free
After all it is free
Thanks for feedback. I'm not overly optimistic that much more will be open next week but we will make the best of what's on offer
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.
Latest announcement on 9th January:
Starting from Saturday, January 11, in the Sestriere ski area, the high sector of Banchetta, served by the Nuova Nube Chairlift, will also be opened!
@conor256, Sounds like they heard you, more opening this weekend just in time for your arrival. That definitely opens up a lot more terrain to go at, albeit mostly reds. Will be interesting if they open that long red down to Pragelato under the cable car, think that’s the longest run in that area
or the fact that it has snowed most of this week so what was previously wind swept high slopes with patchy cannon coverage is now skiable? the xmas snow was accompanied by high winds so go blown off a lot of the top slopes - you can see that from the webcams, top of Fraitieve looking back to Sauze has a lot of rock / scree showing and then solid white where they have piled snow onto the blue piste / track to enable a ski-able route down into sauze
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.
6 of us in a very mixed ability group arriving in Sauze for a week on 19th January and a little worried about the snow conditions and how warm it is going to be next week. Is it really that bad at the moment, looks like only a third of the lifts are open in the area? We have the enhanced Crystal snow guarantee which allows us to change the booking if less that 50% of the runs are open and are starting to wonder if we should take advantage of it although unlikely to be much choice for the same dates at such short notice.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@Posidrive, check out the sauzeonline snow report on YouTube and it will give you an idea of current conditions.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
adriangrogan wrote:
@Posidrive, check out the sauzeonline snow report on YouTube and it will give you an idea of current conditions.
Thanks. The bits that are open look ok, just hoping for a miraculous sudden changed in the weather outlook. Last time I came here about 30 years ago it was all green 2 days before holiday start then out of nowhere the temperature dropped and it dumped for 2 solid days. Fabulous snow but never been so cold in my life. Went out and bought mitts….
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
How are things looking? Seemed like a sprinkling the last couple of days?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Around 80% of lifts, and 60% of trails, were open across the entire Via Lattea, today.
Montgenevre and Claviere, at the far end of the circuit, currently have the most runs open and best snow.
Hi can any one tell me if the SG4 Chisonetta Branchetta chair is due to open this season. We are staying in Tana Della Volpe and believe in order to ski back to the accommodation we need to acccess via that chair , else it’s a lift from the mid station. Or can you ski from the Nuova Nube chair?
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?
Holly101 wrote:
Hi can any one tell me if the SG4 Chisonetta Branchetta chair is due to open this season. We are staying in Tana Della Volpe and believe in order to ski back to the accommodation we need to access via that chair , else it’s a lift from the mid station. Or can you ski from the Nuova Nube chair?
Oh wow that is quite high up the mountain, I didn't even realise that they did accommodation I would assume that lack of snow is holding off opening the Banchetta chair - so who knows for question 1. it needs to snow and not get blown off again..
The good news is is a tiny slight uphill walk from Nuova Nube lift. if you click the little blue dots on Google maps street view there one or two stills shot that shows both Nuova Nube lift and the hotel / restaurant in same shot. From the Banchetta chair you ski down a little and hard right around a mound / ridge to get to it. You will be pretty much confined to baracks once the lifts close, but be able to have glorious first tracks in the morning!
I assume the hotel also does a bit of snow mobile shuttling, particularly for your luggage - I assume they will advise on arrival and leaving logistics as whilst you can get there on ski's, You'll need to be in your ski gear and skis and not carrying a suitcase! So defo make sure you know where you are meeting whoever on arrival as you'll need to get you luggage up there and your ski hire, if necessary, sorted out in the town before you go up the mountain.
Thanks folks….luggage transfer already arranged via skidoo. First time staying and I believe that you can get to the village in the evening if you want but we are quite happy with a few apres beers, dinner and early bed….ready for those crest pistes and glorious sunrises. Happy days
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Holly101 wrote:
Thanks folks….luggage transfer already arranged via skidoo. First time staying and I believe that you can get to the village in the evening if you want but we are quite happy with a few apres beers, dinner and early bed….ready for those crest pistes and glorious sunrises. Happy days
You'll only get to the village in the evening by skidoo arranged with the owner or hitching a ride on a piste basher, but should be a magical place to stay. You'll just need to make sure your back to that end of the Via Lattia before the last uplift as you need to finish your day at the top of the mountain, not the bottom. You can et i some cheeky last runs whilst everyone else is queueing for Borgata lifts back up to sestriere town. High altitude apres beers, cosy dinner and early bed sounds good!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Just booked a last minute trip to Sauze next week, prepared for whatever the weather wants to throw at us! Some skiing is better than no skiing, and a week in the mountains is always going to be better than a week in the office
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Dubmuffin wrote:
Just booked a last minute trip to Sauze next week, prepared for whatever the weather wants to throw at us! Some skiing is better than no skiing, and a week in the mountains is always going to be better than a week in the office
What’s it like in Sauze now you’re there? Presumably powder central?!
I wish I had your attitude. Instead, I’m mithering over whether to change horse and pay a bit more to last minute change to a different resort.
Our digs are just below the Jouvenceaux lifts, but the runs are not open and it’ll be a pain to get back there in half term week if the runs remain closed.
I’m hoping that the recent snow will allow them to open them?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Badbobby, it's been snowing all day, we stayed in the Sauze area to avoid any bad vis higher up and were rewarded with some lovely tree lined skiing in fresh snow. More snow to come this week and I think drier with temps dropping next week so don't worry about half term just yet...
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Question for anyone who know - I'm considering Sauze for next year and noticed the comment about the bottom Jouvenceaux runs being closed.
I'm guessing you can download via the lift to Jouvenceaux at the mid station - can anyone confirm?
Thanks
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.
Hamish wrote:
Question for anyone who know - I'm considering Sauze for next year and noticed the comment about the bottom Jouvenceaux runs being closed.
I'm guessing you can download via the lift to Jouvenceaux at the mid station - can anyone confirm?
Thanks
Yes it's an up and down chair.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Thanks both for the updates
I didn’t realise it was an up and down, didn’t think to ask
So that’s potentially going to mean I stick with Sauze 15-22 Feb rather than twist to Cervinia or Champoluc.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
t44tomo wrote:
Hamish wrote:
Question for anyone who know - I'm considering Sauze for next year and noticed the comment about the bottom Jouvenceaux runs being closed.
I'm guessing you can download via the lift to Jouvenceaux at the mid station - can anyone confirm?
Thanks
Yes it's an up and down chair.
If you look at the lift schedule bit of the Via Lattea website, it shows last lift down (below the hours of operation) for those lifts that are two way (which is all the lifts back into Sauze town) and plenty others across the whole area.
As expected last down times are a bit after last "up" times
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Just back from champoluc and I'm out in sauze on the 9th for a week, then sestreire on 2nd march..can't stop watching sauzeonline lol...looking better than last year
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hi all, I'm off to Sestriere in 3 weeks time. First time in the region (unless you count a lunatic high speed charity ski years ago where we just followed the leader all day).
I've been looking at the website and it would seem that the links from Sestriere to Sauze and from Sauze to Sansicario are closed. Does this mean we're trapped in the Sestriere section and cannot get over to Claviere and Mont Genevre? If so, I think I might be looking to recoup some of my lift pass expenditure
Thoughts anyone?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
If you download the Via Lattea app then it gives alerts about the links being open or closed. Apparently it's very windy.
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?
Badbobby wrote:
If you download the Via Lattea app then it gives alerts about the links being open or closed. Apparently it's very windy.
Thanks for the advice - I will get the app. Just seems that every time I have looked recently it's closed!
@onefff,
Its a mountain environment, not a theme park. High links will closed if wind too high (or forecast to get high as they don't want to strand you in the wrong resort) or if its just snowed a bunch in the night so the slopes can be piste bashed and or made safe from potential avalanches.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Links all closed today due to avalanche risk and wind. Such a shame as great snow and lots of sunshine so skiing was good but limited. Didn't seem excessively windy compared with some resorts where you get blown uphill before they close!
Links all closed today due to avalanche risk and wind. Such a shame as great snow and lots of sunshine so skiing was good but limited. Didn't seem excessively windy compared with some resorts where you get blown uphill before they close!
That two seat chair from Sauze up to Fraitieve never strikes me as the most robust, 3 artic foxes farting in unison would probably be over its wind tolerance threshold....
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Was windy Sauze today and no avalanche control heard this morning. Wind dropping tomorrow allegedly so will report back.
Good skiing in Sauze today though
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Whitegold, and anyone interested had confirmation that a 6-day pass for Bardonecchia does indeed get you a day at Via Lattea. Guessing Sauze by far the best option with public transport.
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.
All links open today, good skiing in Sestriere and Sansicario, though the Borgata end of Sestriere largely closed
depending on weather may try to get to Bardonecchia on Saturday by bus, allegedly an hourly service taking about 1 hour.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Deibitto wrote:
@Whitegold, and anyone interested had confirmation that a 6-day pass for Bardonecchia does indeed get you a day at Via Lattea. Guessing Sauze by far the best option with public transport.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
