 Poster: A snowHead
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| 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. |
I would think so. Train (or bus) from Bardo to Oulx. You then need to either change to another bus up to Sauze if the connection doesnt time well, grab taxi for the last bit. Or grab a taxi the whole way from Bardo if there are a few of you to split costs, no idea how much more than train tickets this would be....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| afcbtim wrote: |
| All links open today, good skiing in Sestriere and Sansicario, though the Borgata end of Sestriere largely closed. |
Hopefully that situation will improve in a couple of weeks as we are staying in Borgota 
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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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Vialattea app has just announced that more runs are opening tomorrow. It hasn’t said which but 8 in Sauze, 4 in Sestriere and 12 in Sansicario.
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Can't wait, last day tomorrow and snowing now. Looking to tick those 8 Sauze runs off!
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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 wishi wa
s going this Sunday, but I've a Week to wait, hopefully a little bit of snow next Friday or Saturday 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'm in sauze from 9 Feb, it's looking OK, first time there, anyone recommend anybars with live music, cheers.
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I can’t easily see which new runs are open, but the total seems to have gone up. The runs to the bottom of Jouvenceaux aren’t open, per the app.
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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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Thinking of a trip on 2nd March to Sauze but not sure what it is like at the moment. I’ve been before (several years ago) and remember having to try to ski down mud to get back to the centre of the resort. Noticed last week that less than half the runs were open but that has increased over the last couple of days. I’m guessing this is due to lack of snow lower down.
Doesn’t appear to be any webcams down at the bottom of the home run, so are there any regulars out there that can paint a picture of what conditions are really like?
Thanks
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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any more snow reports spec man ? Liked those
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Found this forum very useful before our trip to ease those snow condition nerves so thought I would post a short summary of the week just gone (26 Jan - 1 Feb) of skiing in Via Lattea.
We stayed in Sestriere - were very grateful for this on the first 2 days as the snow hadn't arrived / winds were quite high but a good amount (60% of the runs) were open so we were occupied. On night 2/ day 3 the snow arrived in force! In ~10 years of skiing at least once a year I have never seen the quantity of snow that fell over the remaining 4 days. I don't for one second believe the depths remain at 25/50cm - there was 5cm of powder on most pistes and 20-30 to the side of them at least for our last 4 days. Conditions this week look incredible with the snow still fresh and the sun shining, without the pesky winds to close the links. There is enough snow to open every run in the Via Lattea - but the lift company are not the most efficient/ very profit focused so I imagine they will take there time to open it up in line with pass purchases.
Some general notes about ski areas:
- Sestriere - good snow and runs but found to be the busiest on the whole over our week - skied there the first 2 days and then just returned for the last. The long red to Pragelato was a highlight, as was playing around in the high section.
- Sportinia/ Sauze - the Sportinia reds were the best runs we found in the Italian part of the resort - long sweeping - could have spent a day going up and down! Sauze was also probably the busiest area but we did ski there on the Saturday. I don't see why the far left section isn't open, imagine it will open soon.
- Sansicario - Great long reds, not quite as smooth as Sportinia and a bit more challenging. Also one of the only 'proper' blacks in the area back into Sauze/ Sansicario bottom. The reds that run all the way to the bottom of Cesana should definitely have enough snow, hope they would open soon.
- Cesana/ Claviere - Make sure you ski here if you have the Via Lattea pass - Gondola at the bottom of Sansicario takes 12 mins, then the two lifts up to Claviere take about 20 - overall 30 mins of lift time to get over but worth it for new slopes (Can also ski all the way back to Cesana lift on the way back). Runs here are nice, also think there should be more open this week/ next.
- Montgenevre- Noticeably higher quality of lifts/ slopes - make sure you use your 2 days on the pass! The blacks (Tetras and co.) are also 'proper blacks' over this side. Had some scary times on the way back at the top of Colleto Verde skiing pole to pole on the black with 0 visibility beyond that - its by far the most efficient way back so go on a clear day if you don't like poor visibility.
Overall - was highly impressed - the area provides incredible value compared to other 300km+ ski areas with a £250 lift pass versus £400++ elsewhere. The risk is always the links closing with winds/ operators not fancying it or whatever other reason there is, but 5/6 days open in our week, long may it continue.
Mixed group of 6, all intermediate skiers with a couple more advanced.
Cheers and enjoy!
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You know it makes sense.
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A great review - many thanks. We're off to Borgota on the 14th so that was very helpful.
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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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@CJP94, We were in Sauze the same week and can concur - it was very good, not too busy and fantastic value. Although we didn't travel as widely as you did, we could see the potential, it would have been nice is a few more runs were open as the snow was plentiful but I think we were lucky to be there that week! Those runs at the top of the Banchetta lift were a bit hardpacked and dicey for me but I made it down in one piece, if not gracefully.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Bit scraped on the upper slopes of Sestriere and Sauze today but nice lower down. Decent off-piste still to be had as well. Montgenevre yesterday was lovely!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
- Montgenevre- Noticeably higher quality of lifts/ slopes - make sure you use your 2 days on the pass!
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We are going on 14th March and staying in Sestriere. Mr & Mrs + 3 kids.
I have a car so considering my options for day trips, but not familiar with terrain.
How does the via lattea area ski pass 'extensions' work?
I believe I would have to present my 6-day pass at the Montgenevre lift station before skiing.
Do I then have to pay an additional amount? or get a daily pass from the station?
Is the ski to and from Montgenevre a pain and would I be better to drive?
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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 you buy the normal Via Lattea 6 day pass, that allows you to ski over into France / Montgenevre for 2 of those 6 days. (Otherwise you could buy the more expensive international pass if you were only there for 4 or 5 days to allow you to do this)
"Is the ski to and from Montgenevre a pain and would I be better to drive?" YMMV
You can ski down to Sansicario 1700m then you have a 2 stage gondola down and 3 slow chairs upto Colle Bercia, then a ski down to Claviere and another lift up and ski down to Mongenevre town..
the journey back is obviously similar, you need 2 chairs and a drag lift from Sansicario 1700 to get back to top of Fraitieve. there is quite a lot of sat on chairs to skiing ratio, someone has indicated timings below, but its perfectly doable.
It would arguably make more sense to drive the 30-40 mins down the hill and over there before the lifts open and spend a day skiing that side I.e Montgenevre and Claviere. You can plan that to make sure you eat on the Italian side for lunch.
you could also go a day in Bardoneccia if you wanted to as the Via Lattea owners bought that in the summer. that apparently does involve visiting the ticket office and getting a Bardo card issued on production of a Via Lattea card.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thanks for the info
I have been looking into ViaLattea ski pass options for the family (2+3) and would welcome some advice.
We are based in Sestriere so the obvious option is the ViaLattea pass which will set me back €1312 (262x5). That pass includes 2-days at Montgenevre which seems to get mush better reviews for infrastructure and snow conditions.
The alternative I am considering is buying the Montgenevre/Montiluna 6-day pass because there is family price i.e. €954, which includes 2-days at ViaLattea, but also includes an extra 1/2 day which would be useful to us based on our flight times.
I love a good bargain and the saving would nearly cover the lesson costs for the kids, but what are the downsides or considerations I am missing?
Would we have to start all our ski-days in Montgenevre? I will have a car with winter tires but perhaps thats a lot of hassle considering we are staying in Sestriere.
Via Lattea also advertise a 'Daily Extension' (For Montiluna and Vialattea multi-day pass holders – valid for a minimum of 6 consecutive days) which costs €29.50. Not sure what this means but assuming it means once I use the 2-included days for ViaLattea and we wanted to ski another day in Sestriere it would cost another €147.50. If that is the case it would still make sense to buy the Montgenevre family pass as long as we ski minimum 2-days over there.
If there are other family ski pass offers out there please share.
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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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Further to above, I am following up on another ski-pass cost saving theory...
If I buy a train ticket from Turin to Oulx then the family may be entitled to a 20% discount on 6-day passes.
as per https://www.vialattea.it/en/trenitalia/
I have just registered for an X-Go card and downloaded the Trenitalia app and I'd would seem that for the price of 1 way train ticket (€37) I can save €262.50, so basically buy 4 passes, get 1 free.
This is now Plan-A. I have just sent a query to ViaLattea to confirm that the family train ticket will make us eligible for the ski-pass discount. Will update once I hear back.
But if this does work it seems a like a no brainer if travelling in a family/group... even if you don't use the train ticket!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| martebart wrote: |
Further to above, I am following up on another ski-pass cost saving theory...
If I buy a train ticket from Turin to Oulx then the family may be entitled to a 20% discount on 6-day passes.
as per https://www.vialattea.it/en/trenitalia/
I have just registered for an X-Go card and downloaded the Trenitalia app and I'd would seem that for the price of 1 way train ticket (€37) I can save €262.50, so basically buy 4 passes, get 1 free.
This is now Plan-A. I have just sent a query to ViaLattea to confirm that the family train ticket will make us eligible for the ski-pass discount. Will update once I hear back.
But if this does work it seems a like a no brainer if travelling in a family/group... even if you don't use the train ticket! |
| Quote: |
The discount will be given at ticket offices in the Vialattea Ski Resort by presenting your train ticket along with your CartaFRECCIA or X-GO.
If you have not yet registered, you can do so at the following links! |
You may need a Italian address to register for these cards though..you'll need to check that out.
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Any information on the current state of slopes around Sestriere - going there for a cheeky short break next weekend.
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| boardiac wrote: |
| Any information on the current state of slopes around Sestriere - going there for a cheeky short break next weekend. |
See post #1
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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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We are at Turin airport waiting to fly back after a week in Sauze - we went over to Sestriere on Thursday and slopes are generally fine, there are a couple closed due to bare patches in the sun, but the area does need some snowfall. Supposedly some snow due this week. Sestriere slopes were very well maintained and snow being scraped from the off-piste to top up. Sauze side was lovely.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Any updates on snow conditions in Sestriere . Currently tossing up between Sestriere and Champoluc for next week
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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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Conditions are excellent this week everywhere we have been. Regular snowfall throughout the week made for superb slope conditions. Visibility was very poor on Saturday and again on Tuesday but yesterday was perfect. Cold and sunny with fresh snow. More of same expected today.
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You know it makes sense.
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| t44tomo wrote: |
If you buy the normal Via Lattea 6 day pass, that allows you to ski over into France / Montgenevre for 2 of those 6 days. (Otherwise you could buy the more expensive international pass if you were only there for 4 or 5 days to allow you to do this)
"Is the ski to and from Montgenevre a pain and would I be better to drive?" YMMV
You can ski down to Sansicario 1700m then you have a 2 stage gondola down and 3 slow chairs upto Colle Bercia, then a ski down to Claviere and another lift up and ski down to Mongenevre town..
the journey back is obviously similar, you need 2 chairs and a drag lift from Sansicario 1700 to get back to top of Fraitieve. there is quite a lot of sat on chairs to skiing ratio, someone has indicated timings below, but its perfectly doable.
It would arguably make more sense to drive the 30-40 mins down the hill and over there before the lifts open and spend a day skiing that side I.e Montgenevre and Claviere. You can plan that to make sure you eat on the Italian side for lunch.
you could also go a day in Bardoneccia if you wanted to as the Via Lattea owners bought that in the summer. that apparently does involve visiting the ticket office and getting a Bardo card issued on production of a Via Lattea card. |
Hello, is there no way to avoid the drag lift back? A couple of people with me are snowboarders and are refusing the idea of any drag lift.
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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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As long as 82 bis is open, yes, you can avoid the drag by skiing from the top of the soleil boeuf chair down to the mid station of the sestriere/frateve gondola
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Wildsmith wrote: |
| As long as 82 bis is open, yes, you can avoid the drag by skiing from the top of the soleil boeuf chair down to the mid station of the sestriere/frateve gondola |
Thanks, I can see that now on the map.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| luanb wrote: |
| Wildsmith wrote: |
| As long as 82 bis is open, yes, you can avoid the drag by skiing from the top of the soleil boeuf chair down to the mid station of the sestriere/frateve gondola |
Thanks, I can see that now on the map. |
ah yes good point @Wildsmith , 82 is currently closed though. When it is open, its a short hike up the hill to the right (probably easier in snow board boots than ski boots) or a ski side step or herringbone up, and a ski down to o via the mid station of the gondola. It is a slightly quicker way down than taking the drags.
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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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| t44tomo wrote: |
| luanb wrote: |
| Wildsmith wrote: |
| As long as 82 bis is open, yes, you can avoid the drag by skiing from the top of the soleil boeuf chair down to the mid station of the sestriere/frateve gondola |
Thanks, I can see that now on the map. |
ah yes good point @Wildsmith , 82 is currently closed though. When it is open, its a short hike up the hill to the right (probably easier in snow board boots than ski boots) or a ski side step or herringbone up, and a ski down to o via the mid station of the gondola. It is a slightly quicker way down than taking the drags. |
We went down 82 anyway, the things people do to avoid the drag lift. 
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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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Can’t see a 2025/26 version of this thread, so using this one…
We are off to Sestriere for a cheeky few family days before Christmas, skiing 15th - 18th December. A few questions if I may:
1. We like a bit of a ski safari. Assuming plentiful snow & good weather, will the lifts linking Sestriere all the way to Montgenevre be open this early in the season? How long does it take? What time do you need to set off to get back at this time of year?
2. What are some good places to eat on the mountains around Sestriere?
3. Will it be ok to catch some early morning skinning practice if I take my touring kit? Some places seem relaxed about this, others less so…
Thanks in advance!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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on previous seasons evidence, its unlikely all the connections will be open. They will just have as selection of pistes open to preserve snow and conditions ahead of the masses heading up from Turin for Xmas / new year. You can check out Sauzeonline previous years weekly conditions reports on Youtube for various Decembers and see...
If they are open you have about an hour each way from Mt Fraiteve to Colle Bercia. However if busy you can get a queue at the drags back upto Fraitive from Sansicario (although if there is a queue is there they wont shut it!) Its unlikely the 82 short cut will be officially open. With a bit a luck you should be able to move between Sest, Sauze and Sansicario
Yet to have a bad meal anywhere on Italian side i.e. Sest, Sauze and Sansicario
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@IanTr, last Christmas the links from Sestriere to Sauze/Sansicario (and further) didn't open until Boxing Day - Crystal were running the usual days out to Montgenevre via coach (I *think* there may have been a non-Crystal travel option but can't be certain), but from 26th onwards people in our hotel were skiing over to Montgenevre and saying the snow was the best in the area. I haven't done the ski over to Montgenevre but they said set aside a day, as I was told that there are some slower uplifts/downlifts to deal with, but it's about timing with last lifts; the drag lift back up to Fraiteve is chaotic when there's a queue, took me a good 25 mins just to get on the lift!
If it's any help, snow cover is looking marginally better on the webcams than this time last year. And it was quiet in the days before Christmas; we just lapped what was open in Sestriere and it was fun nonetheless.
RE: eating on the mountain, we stuck mainly to Sestriere, as my wife and daughter didn't like the reds down to Sansicario; can highly recommend the place at the top of Banchette (Nuova nube chairlift) - very good quality food at a good price - and we also ate at Chisonetta-Banchette chairlift; upstairs is a bit more 'fine dining' (i.e. not massive plates of stodge), very nice food and a lovely atmosphere.
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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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Ok. We will temper our safari ambitions…
I’ve been to Sestriere a couple of times previously, but not for 9 years. I was faster than my boys then - it’s a struggle to keep up now! Looking forward to going back.
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Cant speak for other areas but montgenevre often has people skinning up pistes South of the village. military also train in the area and Claviere?montgenevre and they do lots of touring uphill.
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