Sestriere

Sestriere can brag of its proud heritage of being the first purpose-built Alpine resort, being developed by Fiat’s Gionvanni Agnello now over eighty years ago.  It has well-designed slopes that are suitable for every level and – if skiing is as natural to you as walking – some tough runs that will certainly challenge you.  Sestriere forms part of the Milky Way area, with both Sauze d’Ouiz and Sansicario being just a lift away.

The resort itself seems slightly in need of a makeover, and the arrangement of the resort does seem a little odd.  Sestriere is geared towards the weekend visitors from the nearby Italian cities, meaning it can get crowded at these times, but conversely the resort seems a little too quiet during the week.

The resort consists of rows of apartment blocks which sit in the sun and wind.  This is not the most attractive-looking resort in the world, even though improvements were made for the 2006 Winter Olympics.  If you want somewhere that looks a little more modern, try nearby Borgata or Pragelato, although shopping and nightlife here is less lively.

Eating out in Sestriere provides no difficulties, from rustic eateries to pizza and pasta restaurants.  There are also many decent options once you are up in the mountains.  The resort is vacated by the weekend-visiting Italians between Monday and Friday, and the lack of apres-ski opportunities during these periods can be a little disappointing.  If you fancy a break from zooming down the mountain slopes, you can check out the shops, ice rink or sports centre.  You could also visit Pragelato or Turin, both around 70 miles away.

If you are visiting Sestriere, you are more likely than not to be staying in one of the many apartments, the most modern of which were built for the 2006 Winter Olympics.  There are a small amount of hotels, but all of them are either three-star or deserving of three-stars.

The ski slopes here give you plenty of lovely views looking across the Milky Way, with its tree-covered slopes that lead to the mountains on the Italian-French border.  Sestriere at times suffers from inadequate from a lack of satisfactory snow-cover, but snow-making is usually decent enough to make up for any potential lack of coverage.

Schools are available, but groups tend to be large and lessons are long.  There are also no special features dedicated towards children.

Sestriere is a decent resort lying at the heart if the Milky Way that offers an amazing three hundred miles or so of piste for all abilities.  Book a ski-holiday to Sestriere today for a chance to export this wonderful, excellent bars and lively entertainment.