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Wide ski slopes beneath a clear mountain sky
Italy & France · Via Lattea
Sestriere / Via Lattea
A high Italian base for long piste days across the cross-border Milky Way network.
Explore Sestriere / Via Lattea
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Countries
Italy & France
Ski area
Around 400 km of pistes
Best suited to
Confident intermediates
Journey style
High-altitude Italian base
Destination overview
Follow the Milky Way across two countries.
Via Lattea, the Milky Way, links Italian and French mountain villages in one of the Alps' largest ski networks. Sestriere is the main high-altitude hub at 2,035 m, with direct access to a wide range of groomed pistes. The area hosted alpine skiing events during the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.
This is a destination for skiers who enjoy covering distance. Open high slopes around Sestriere contrast with the tree-lined runs near Sauze d'Oulx and the mountain scenery around Claviere and Montgenèvre on the French side. With around 400 km of pistes across the wider domain, there is enough variety to keep a week moving. Check lift and pass coverage before planning a cross-border day.
Sestriere itself is purpose-built and practical rather than a traditional Alpine village. Its altitude and lift access make it a convenient base, while other villages offer a livelier or more intimate atmosphere. Via Lattea combines extensive skiing, changing landscapes and Italian hospitality, often at a more approachable cost than some famous Alpine neighbours.
Mountain orientation
Explore the ski area.
Use the resort map to understand the ski sectors, lifts and connections before choosing where to begin each day.
Piste map
Sestriere · Via Lattea
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Via Lattea piste map showing Sestriere and the linked Italian and French ski sectors
Piste maps are for orientation only. Check current lift, piste and safety information before skiing.
Snow character & trip fit
The advantages—and the trade-offs.
Via Lattea suits confident intermediates who like long groomed runs and exploring a different sector each day. We choose a base and lift pass around the group's priorities, allowing time for connections.
Pros
  • Around 400 km of pistes across the wider Italian and French network create substantial variety.
  • Long red runs and wide groomers are especially rewarding for confident intermediates.
  • Italian villages can offer more approachable accommodation and dining costs, depending on the week.
  • Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Claviere and Montgenèvre each give the region a different character.
  • Turin and Milan airports make the region practical to reach for a week-long trip.
Cons
  • Some lifts are slower or older, and travelling between sectors can take time.
  • Snow conditions vary: higher Sestriere slopes are better placed than lower sectors during warm spells.
  • Sunny aspects can become heavy or slushy in warm spring weather.
  • Dedicated powder hunters may prefer a snowier area with more extensive lift-accessed freeride.
Destination highlights
A different sector every morning.
The interest here is in long, connected days and the changing feel of each village.
Snow-covered forest beside an Alpine ski route
01 · High base
Start in Sestriere
Use direct lift access and high open pistes to begin the day.
Winter mountain view
02 · Change of scene
Cross towards France
Explore the Claviere and Montgenèvre side when connections and pass coverage allow.
Snowboarder resting beside a ski slope
03 · Italian rhythm
Finish in the village
Return for a more relaxed dining scene after a full day on the mountain.
Gallery
Winter moments around the Alps.
Select an image to enlarge
Start planning
Plan a full Via Lattea week.
Share your ski level, preferred village atmosphere and appetite for long days. We'll choose the right base and realistic cross-border routes.
Is Via Lattea the right fit?
We'll balance its enormous piste range against slower links and changing snow conditions.
Start planning