Hotel Du Col, Sestriere, Italy

this was the 2nd time we stayed at the Hotel du Col, and we had just as good a time. The main draw is the EXCELLENT food, especially the evening buffet meal- proper Italian food, lots of unusual things (to a British palate!), HUGE choice, and the owner always hovering behind the food, anxious to make sure we are fed. The provided red wine was ok, white wine not (you can buy from their extensive selection). Rooms a bit tired, but reasonable size for 2 adults to share, always lots of hot water. BEWARE, the boot room is unheated- there were lots of agonised faces and groans the first morning as people tried to get their boots on! The hotel is almost ski in/ski out: there's a walk of about 150 metres. we did not use the resort much, except for a terrific wine bar next to the hotel- we would go there after skiing, and there would always be substantial nibbles (ham on bread etc) to eat with the excellent wine. the ski area is quite big- enough to keep a good intermediate happy on piste for a week, and, if the snow is good, plenty of off piste near enough to the runs not to need a guide. Sestriere is at the centre of the Milky Way, an ideal spot. Most of the links between resorts are good, with the exception of Mongenevre: it's a challenge to get there in less than 2 hours, and many of the chairs are old and slow; signing is also inadequate. This is a shame as there is a good deal of pleasant skiing there. having now been twice, I'd be happy to return to the Hotel du Col and Sestriere.

Apres Ski: 3/5

patrick chuter