The Sestriere ski resort in Italy was one of the first purpose-built ski areas in the world. It is located in the Italian Alps in the Piemonte region, near the French border. Sestriere is part of the Olympic Mountains and is one of the most popular ski destinations in Europe.
For those seeking a high-altitude skiing adventure in the Alps, Sestriere offers a unique and invigorating skiing experience. The slopes range from 2,035 to 2,738 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking views and exceptional snow conditions.
Sestriere offers a diverse range of slopes for skiers of all abilities, from beginner to expert. This makes it a great destination for families and groups with a mix of skiing abilities.
You can also read: Things to know about skiing in Cervinia
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Download the Sestriere Piste Map
Sestriere Ski Resort
Sestriere is comprised of three main ski areas, each offering its own unique skiing experience. The first is Mount Sises, located just in front of the main village, Sestriere. Then, there's Motta/Banchetta, which is situated above the satellite village of Borgata. Lastly, there's Fraiteve, which can be accessed by a gondola from across the valley and offers access to the popular ski destinations of Sansicario and Sauze d'Oulx. Pragelato can also be reached by cable car from under Banchetta.
Resort Elevation 1372m to 2789m
Sestriere Ski Area 400km
Ski Lifts 69
Sestriere is a ski resort in Italy that offers something for skiers of all levels. Beginners will love the gentle meadows and blues at the base of Borgata that make for a perfect start to their skiing journey.
Meanwhile, intermediate skiers will find plenty of well-suited slopes at the resort, which consists mostly of blues and reds. Warm up at Sises before exploring the slopes at Motta and the tree-lined slopes of Sauze d'Oulx.
Advanced skiers will find challenging pistes off the drag lifts at the top of Sises and Motta, as well as the Col de Sises black piste.
For those looking for a more adrenaline-filled experience, Sestriere is also part of the vast Milky Way (Vialattea) ski area. Although there is some off-piste terrain through the trees from the peaks of Sises and Motta, deep powder is not common in the area.
Piste type Number of runs
Green Runs 9
Blue Runs 70
Red Runs 134
Black Runs 34
Snow Range in Sestriere
Its high-altitude slopes, ranging from 2,035 to 2,738 meters above sea level, make Sestriere snow-reliable.
The ski resort typically experiences an average snowfall of 21cm in November, increasing to 36cm in December, and reaching a peak of 45cm in January, followed by a substantial 63cm in February.
Despite the declining snowfall in March with an average of 29cm, the ski resort remains open from mid-December to early April, providing skiers and snowboarders with ample opportunities to enjoy the slopes. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on snow conditions, make sure to check the official website of Sestriere.
How to get to Sestriere
Turin Airport is the closest and most accessible airport for Sestriere and offers frequent direct flights from cities such as London and other locations in Europe.
The best and most convenient way to get to Sestriere is to rent a car and drive. For finding the best deal and comparing the prices, we usually use rentalcars.com. Sestriere is located about 110 km from Turin Caselle airport, and the drive takes about 1.5 hours.
Getting to Sestriere using public transportation is possible. You need to take a bus from Turin airport to Porta Nuova train station and then catch a train to Oulx, which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Oulx, there is a regular bus service to Sestriere.
I strongly recommend that you only attempt this if your flight is in the morning, as the connecting bus to Sestriere may not be available if your flight lands in the late afternoon or evening.
Whichever mode of transportation you choose, it is best to plan your trip in advance to ensure a smooth and convenient journey to Sestriere.
Ski Rental and Ski Schools in Sestiere
There is a wide range of ski schools and ski rental services in Sestriere. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, you can find a suitable ski instructor and equipment to meet your needs. However, it is important to note that not all ski instructors at Sestriere speak English, so it is advisable to specifically ask for an English-speaking instructor if you need one.
During our trip to Sestriere, we tried new helmets and goggles from Outdoor Master. You can use the code “TRAVEL10422” to get a discount on their website.
Where to Stay in Sestriere
Sestriere, also known as the Vialattea, is a renowned ski area that comprises several towns, including Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere, Oulx, Pragelato, and the French Montgenèvre.
All of these locations are conveniently connected by ski runs, making it easy to move from one to another while enjoying the slopes. This means, no matter which town you choose to stay in, you will have access to ski lifts and can ski between the slopes. In order to make your trip more enjoyable, I have compiled a list of some of the best places to stay for skiing in Sestriere.
Grand Hotel Sestriere is a 4-star family-run hotel with a spa and indoor swimming pool. It is located in the heart of Sestriere, 550 yards from the Cit Roc lift and 600 yards from the Sestriere - Fraiteve ski lift.
Grand Hotel Sestriere boasts a unique style that has been featured in prominent magazines such as Marie Claire, Vanity Fair Italy, Gioia, and Bell'Italia.
Guest reviews: “The staff are exceptionally helpful, friendly & very knowledgeable. Thanks especially to the restaurant staff as being allergic to dairy makes eating out difficult at the best of times but they accommodated me perfectly!” - Olivia from the UK
Etoile des Neiges is one of the best ski-to-door hotels in the area with a unique style. This cosy 3-star hotel is located in Sauze dʼOulx, offering rooms with mountain views. It is only 100 yards from the Jouvenceaux ski lift.
Guest reviews: “Our stay at Hotel Etoile Des Neiges was simply amazing and we would say probably the best hotel experience we have ever had.
The location is amazing, in the little town Jouvenceaux only 10 mins from Sauze itself by walk. The hotel is right next to the lift and is very convenient to get onto the mountain.
The staff were attentive and really friendly alongside being very helpful with loads of tips about the town. Another added benefit is that they have a great little restaurant down the road, only 50 meters.
The breakfast provided was delicious. Cheese, salamis, cereals, pastries.
The room was beautiful. The stone and wood work is a really nice touch and the bed and ensuite were perfect.
If we could give more than 10 stars for each category, we would! Thanks so much again for the amazing stay.” - Thekla from Germany
Hotel Gran Roc is one of the best places to stay for skiing in Sestriere. This 3-star hotel is just 250 yards from the Sestriere - Fraiteve lift and 350 yards from the Garnel lift. Airport shuttle services are available for an additional fee at the hotel.
Guest review: “Great location for access to slopes and ski school. Brilliant free drop off/collection at slopes, and wonderful, attentive staff at reception, dining and in the bar catering for every need at any time. The food was outstanding value, and exceeded our expectations so much so that friends paid to eat at the restaurant rather than eat elsewhere. Would book again” - Kieran from the UK
Olympic Mountains is a ski-to-door property, located in Cesana Torinese and only 20 yards from the cable car linking to Sestriere. This guest house offers a buffet breakfast and a comfortable stay.
Guest review: “The host was wonderful, the breakfast was excellent and the room was very spacious and well heated.” - Itiel from Israel
Hotel Shackleton Mountain Resort is situated in the heart of Via Lattea Olympic ski area, offering panoramic views across the mountains from its floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel has a wellness and fitness centre and a ski school.
Guest reviews: “We loved the location, the warmth of the owner Davide and his family and staff. A gem of a hotel we just wish we could have stayed longer. We were upgraded to a junior suite which was much appreciated. Dinner was delicious and there was an excellent wine list. Davide kindly organised a packed breakfast for us as we had an early start. Highly recommended.” - Claire from the UK
Chaberton Lodge & Spa is a 4-star hotel in the heart of Sauze d'Oulx, 350 yards from the Lago Nero and Sportinia lifts. The hotel offers an airport shuttle and spa services for an additional charge.
Guest review: “Wonderful location with terrace, lounge and breakfast/dining room facing the mountains.Rustic cosy rooms.
Very efficient shuttle to the ski lifts. Nice breakfast menu. Great singer/DJ entertaining in the lounge in the evening. Friendly and helpful staff who make you feel at easy.” - Pontus from Sweden