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Sestriere |
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| Sitting at 2035
meters, Sestriere is located about an hour from the city
of Turin. It is located between two valleys, Susa and
Chisone, and is a part of the 249 miles long Via Lattea,
which is known as the “Milky Way” ski area.
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Giovanni
Agnelli developed the town in the 1930s for the specific
use as a ski resort. His design of the town is lacking
in charm, but the town serves its purpose as one of the
best locations for skiing.
The resort boasts 249 miles or 400 km of runs located
on north-west facing slopes. The lifts being connected
to the Milky Way gives skiers access to over 310 miles
of skiing. Few other places in Europe can claim to be
better for skiing and snowboarding.
Not only great for skiing, but also a gastronomic delight,
Sestriere is the place to go for a great time of skiing,
food and fun. |
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| Skiing |
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ski area
map
and description |
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| The “Milky
Way” is a 249 miles long ski area that is a connection
of resorts in the Piedmont area. The Italian towns of
Sestriere, |
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Sauze
d’Ouix, Sansicario, Claviere, Cesana and the French
Montegenevre make up this area. Combined they give skiers
249 miles of runs with 210 trails. The runs provide skiers
with incredible views of the area, on one lift pass.
The skiing is great with almost 75% of the runs being
at the intermediate and expert levels. There is on and
off-pist skiing.
One should note that some of the runs are not clearly
marked and during slow times, such as in the middle of
the week, not all the lift are open. |
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| Ski
Map of Sestriere - Vialattea |
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| lifts
and tickets |
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The Milky Way
has 90 lifts che servono tutta l’area: 48 drag lifts,
1 one-person chair, 2 three-person chairs, 13 two-person
chairs, 12 quads, 11 high speed quads, and 3 telecabins
for 6 people.
The only Sestriere has 1 six-person gondola, 7 chair lifts,
and 12 drag lifts. The system is not super modern and
is not as fast as other resorts in the area but the lift
system is being improved for the Olympics.
There is no cut-off on the amount of lift tickets sold
and on weekends, the lines can get pretty long if there
are crowds. During the week, the lines are better and
then slopes are not crowded due to the amount of runs
available. |
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One-day Milky Way
passes will cost about $30. Six-day passes are $175. But
there are many other options such as half-day, 15 day,
and resort-only passes. The Sestriere-only one-day pass
cost $26, but one is recommended to get the Milky Way
pass to take advantage |
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of
all the run available.
Children under eight can ski for free when accompanied
by a paying adult. Seniors over 60 and children under
12 are eligible for discounted passes. Passes more than
six days require a photo.
The six-day pass also makes the holder eligible for discounts
to the Grand Galaxy Ski Pass system located in France.
The system is close by and includes the resorts of Serre
Chevalier, Les Deux Alpes, Puy St. Vincent and Alpe D’Huez.
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| for
beginners |
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In the entire Milky
Way, about 72 miles or 116 km are blue-coded for beginner
skiers. Though novices may ski the harder slopes, the
lower ones located under the tree line will make it easier
for new skiers in a snow storm to get their bearings.
The problem is that this area is also the first to suffer
from lack of snow.
Sestriere has runs and a beginner area called Manovia,
but because of the weekend’s crow it is not the
best place for one to learn to ski. |
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| for
intermediates |
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| The Milky Way
contains 124 miles or 200 km of runs for the intermediate
skiers. This means that red-coded slopes make up 50% of
the skiing. These intermediate slopes are the links for
the whole area, so |
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people
at this level or above will get the most out of the slopes.
The slopes go to the top meaning that one can enjoy great
views even if they do not ski at the expert level. The
best intermediate run is the Number One because it has
great views and is a challenging run. |
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| for
experts |
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With 52 miles or
84 km, the black-coded slopes make up the last 21% of
the runs. There are specialized slopes for every expert
skier such as the mogul runs. Though there are not any
manmade jumps, natural jumps can be found off the slopes.
There are many racing runs for expert skiers, such as
Sises, which is a slope designed for the giant slalom,
or Kandahar which was designed for downhill racing.
Even though Sestriere is often the host of many important
sport events, and upcoming Olympic Alpine competitions,
visitors will be only spectators because the racing trails
used for events are not open to the public. |
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| for
children |
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| Children can ski
the Manovia area which is designed for beginners. The
three ski schools can provide lessons. Lift tickets cost
less for children form eight to twelve while kids under
eight ski for free when an adult buys a lift ticket. Rentals
are also discounted for children. |
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night
skiing |
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| In Sestriere champions
both tourists can enjoy night skiing. It was Alberto Tomba
who won the first night slalom in 1994, and since then
almost all the slaloms (even the World Championships ones)
have been run under |
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the
spotlights. This is a gorgeous course for big sporting
events as well as a course of great fun for all the tourists
who crowd it until late in the days when the course is
open for night skiing.
The run is open to the public on Wednesday night from
18.00 to 22.00 (except for those nights when special events
are taking place on it). The ski pass fare is 10,00 Euro.
The lit-up run is 1.400 long and its final tract corresponds
to the Giovanni Alberto Agnelli run. |
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| free
skiing |
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| Skiers that are
at the intermediate or expert level used to enjoy the
heli-skiing but now it isn’t allow anymore. The
only option for free skiers is skiing off-pist skiing
with a local guide, required because the trails are not
marked and it can be dangerous. |
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| cross-country
skiing |
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| There is an almost
6 miles loop in Sestriere for cross-country skiing and
is located within walking distance of the town. The scenery
is beautiful and the loop cost about $3 for a half-day
and $5 for a full day of skiing. |
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One
can buy a discounted six-day pass. For a brake, one can
stop at the resting huts and restaurants along the loop.
In the Milky Way there are over 20 miles of trails, in
the French area
too, but they are not all connected, and so one needs
a car or other
transportation to get from some trails to others. |
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| Only
for Snowboarding |
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| Though until now
there had been no special trails for boarders in Sestriere
and the many drag lifts on the Milky Way make it difficult
for boarders to get around, and especially hard for a
beginner, it is still very popular with the snowboard
crowd. This is due for the friendly and funny atmosphere.
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There is a plan
to renovate the snowpark at the Colle di Sestriere,
close to the chairlift Cit Roc and the famous slope
Giovanni Alberto Agnelli. It will be enlarged with a
fun-box, a shack booter and a quarter-pipe.
There is a show planned with |
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numerous
competitions and exhibitions with music and excitement.
Another one is planning in the Vallone del Rio Nero, easily
reachable with the lifts from Sansicario, Sestriere and
Sauze d’Oulx. |
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| Other
Activities |
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People who come
to Sestriere and do not want to ski will find a variety
of other options from which to choose.
If you don’t want spent the day in the town,
but you don’t want ski either, you can enjoy the
fresh air, the hot sun and the gorgeous panoramic views
in high height with the “Winter Trekking”
lifts |
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| tickets.
From Sestriere Borgata , by the cable-way it is possible
to reach the Col Basset, which is the top of the watershed
between the Val Susa and the Val Chisone. From Cesana
two two-seat chair lifts can carry you first to Pariol
and then to Forte, located on the sunnyside of Sansicario. |
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From Cesana, taking three chair-lifts, one can reach
first Rafuyel, then Sagnalonga, and finally Colle Bercia,
all merged in the gorgeous woods of the Monti della
Luna.
Form Jouvenceaux two chair-lifts climb first to Sarnas
then to Sportinia. One can also reach Sportinia by taking
a comfortable and fast four-seat automatic clinching
chair lift. From the centre of the village one can take
a chair lift to Clotes or take the Gran Comba three-seat
chair-lift to get to the slopes of Mountgenevre.
Climbers will find this area great for ice
climbing, but only for experts. Natural waterfalls
and towers make this area inappropriate for inexperienced
climbers and one should always go with a guide. The
majority of climbs can be reached first by car, then
a short hike.
The ice skating rink in Sestriere is
located at the base of the slopes and it is outdoors.
Many people go skating and it is a popular activity
after skiing. At the rink, there is a bar to buy hot
drinks and snacks. Open daily and in the night time
as well. Tickets cost around $7 to enter and skate rental
and lessons are also available.
The snow hiking is not well organized
in Sestriere, but if one wishes, he has to contact a
guide.
Snowmobiling is available in Sestriere
and one can go on an enclosed track or into the backcountry,
but only where is allowed and with a guide. You can
spend an hour or all day long. |
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excursions |
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Sestriere was
built recently, and therefore does not have the style
of a classic alpine ski resort.
The most interesting architectural building in the
town is the tower built and designed by Agnelli |
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the ‘30s. The Church of San Edoardo is also of
interest, with the Via Crucis by Francesco Messina,
and other works by Rubino and Assiz.
If one wants to see a charming mountain village with
the characteristic mountain chalets then there are many
options quite close by: the three hamlets of Borgata,
Champlas du Col and Champlas Janvier, that they were
the true inhabited settlements of Sestriere before it
actually started as a resort.
Forte Di Fenestrelle is an old fort that is built on
a hill. Its 4,000 foot staircase is lit at night for
a spectacular sight.
The Fort of Exilles is also close by and these places
can be reached by bus.
If you’d like to spent a full day out and discover
a little of Italy, you can organize a tour to Torino,
the charming and ancient royal capital. You can enjoy
the elegant palaces and squares, the interesting museums
and the Italian style shopping. |
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| fitness
facilities |
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All the big hotels
has private fitness facilities, but in the center of town
there is one fitness center with a spa, a solarium, massages,
racket ball, bodybuilding, step and aerobic lessons. You
can buy a one day entry or a package.
At the Sports Hall is there are also table tennis, five-a-side
football, volleyball, basket and badminton field and a
climbing wall. |
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| Relax |
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| spas |
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| The only Fitness
Centre and Spa in town is the Olimpica Fitness Center.
It has classes in ballet, modern, jazz, aerobics and stretching
classes in addition |
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bodybuilding. There is a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, tanning
beds, and massage and squash available. It is open all
the day and one can get only one day pass. Some services
are extra, and the spa is modern but not exclusive. |
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| shopping |
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The shopping is
great in Sestriere. Prices may be more expensive in this
town, so be prepared.
There is plenty of variety in the shops to fit anyone’s
need. Sporting good, clothing, including designer boutiques
as well as souvenir and antique shops are around town.
There are many handicrafts that are produced locally. |
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| Apres
Ski |
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| Sestriere has many
apres-ski activities available. From the restaurants,
cafes and bars to the nightlife. One can always find fun
and excitement at night. The cuisine is especially wonderful
in Sestriere will many options available. |
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The Cafes,
the pastry shops and bakeries are fabulous in all of Italy
and this is especially true in Sestriere. Do not leave
without trying a cup of coffee and a pastry. Local flavors
can include liquorish, anise, almond and fresh cream.
Don’t forget the chocolate too, the best Italian
one. |
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There
are eight charming restaurants on the
mountain that all serve Italian cuisine. The dishes are
in the style regional dishes of Northern Italy.
Polenta, bagna cauda, local cheeses, and salamis as well
as liquors made from herbs are some of the local specialties.
One can easily find pizza and the panini, the delicious
Italian sandwiches.
The nightlife is great in Sestriere and
the are many pubs, bars and discothèques to party
away the night. |
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| Festivals
& Events |
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| Sporting events
in Sestriere are something to see, and there are races,
and lots of skiing events. These are very exciting and
are usually local event, but the public may not enter
the race. |
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The
Coppa del Mondo Di Sci Alpino and many other important
winter sport competitions takes place in Sestriere during
the season.
Don’t forget the Winter Olympic Games are in
Torino in 2006: from February 10 to the February 26,
2006 Piedmont and Italy will be the hosts of the greatest
sporting event of the world.
Sestriere will host an Olympic Village and most of the
alpine skiing competitions. |
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| Useful
Information |
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| location
and elevation |
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Sestriere is
the epicentre of the Vialattea, an international skiing
area consisting of 5 Piedmontese resorts, Sestriere,
Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere and Montgenevre
in France. It offers more than 211 skiing-connected
runs, for a total linear extent of 400 km There are
91 lifts that range from an altitude of 1350m in Cesana
to 2800m at Mount Motta, a peak that gives a magnificent
view of the surrounding mountains allowing skiers to
appreciate the vastness and beauty of the area. The
Vialattea, in the northern Italy, in the Piemonte county,
is close to the French borders and the interesting and
regal city of Torino.
Town of Sestriere: 6,676 feet or 2,035 meters
Highest Lift: 9,262 feet or 2,823 meters
Vertical Drop: 4,363 feet or 1,330 meters
The town is not at a high enough altitude to give many
people a problem with altitude sickness. |
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snow
and weather |
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| Located above
the tree line, the slopes face the south and are usually
in the sun. Although this makes the snow melt quickly,
the areas snow-makers insure that the slopes are covered. |
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| ski
rent |
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There are many
different shops from which to rent equipment in Sestriere.
They will have all the equipment one needs including cross-country
skis, children’s equipment, snowshoes, snowboard
in addition to up-to date ski equipment.
Discounts are available to groups, families and children,
and staffs speak English. There is not available insurance,
so one is recommended to use a credit card. Prices can
increase during holidays.
Why don’t
you extend your Italian holiday…
...pass a day in marvelous Venice with its mysterious
canals and its colorful Carnival, famous throughout the
world. Or else travel to Milam, and walk in the shadow
of the Duomo and through the shops along one of the most
famous streets in the Italian fashion world.
We offer extensions of your trip in Italy with different
locations and durations. Contact us for more information... |
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