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Milky way ski area

The Milky Way ski area in Italy plays host to some of the most popular European ski resorts and is well known for its fabulous range of skiing and long hours of sunshine. The ski area extends to some 400kms of varied pistes and the resorts featured here straddle the French–Italian border. The 7 resorts of Sauze d'Oulx, Sestriere, Claviere, Pragelato, Sansicario, Cesana and Montgenevre in France that make up the Milky Way are all within very easy reach of Turin airport making them an ideal ski weekend or week’s holiday destination. They all offer superb high altitude skiing at the highest level of 2823 metres and the area lift pass offers the skier the unique opportunity of being able to ski in two countries during the same holiday. 

Milky Way ski area

Sauze d'Oulx

Ski deals to Pragelato | Ski deals to Sauze d'Oulx | Ski deals to Sestriere | Ski deals to Claviere | Ski deals to Montgenevre

Ski resorts in the Milky Way

The resorts in the Milky Way vary in size and liveliness. From the most vibrant après ski scenes of Sauze d’Oulx through to the more subdued peaceful tones of Sansicario, the 6 resorts have something different to offer everyone.

Claviere is Italy's oldest resort and retains much of its traditional centre, blending with its new architecture. It's a small family friendly resort that caters best for beginners and intermediates. 

Cesana is an unspoilt, quiet and ancient Italian village which is popular amongst families due to its peacful feel. 

Montgenevre is the only French resort in the Milky Way and is one of the smallest and cheapest French resorts. It's ideal if you are looking for ski convenience as much of its accommodation is on the slopes or very close. 

At the centre of the ski domain between Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx is Sansicario. It's local terrain is suitable for all skiing abilities from its sun-drenched nursery slopes to tough blacks such as the 2006 Winter Olympic downhill run from Mt Fraitere.

If you're looking for wild nightlife and a lively apres ski scene then Sauze d'Oulx is a must. It's Turin's closest ski area with a traditional village centre and modern architecture. It also appeals to families too with many family run restaurants to visit down its cobbled streets. 

The best base to explore the whole of the Milky Way ski area is Sestriere. This high altitude resort has the best snow conditions thanks to its north facing slopes. It's best for strong intermediates and advanced skiers due to the number of challenging runs. Sestriere was the first purpose built resort and built by the owners of the Fiat car company! It's known for its competitve nature, as it regularly hosts Alpine Ski World Cup events and hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games back in 2006. 

Skiing in the Milky Way

The skiing throughout is excellent for intermediate abilities with good opportunities for beginner and advanced skiers as well. Snowboarders are also well catered for in the Milky Way with a fantastic snowboard fun park available in Sestriere as well as mini parks available in each of the resorts themselves. Many of the resorts have been fast tracked into the 21st Century in terms of technology having played host to a number of the events at the 2006 Winter Olympics. 

Ski holidays in the Milky Way

Families are best placed in either Montgenevre or Claviere with their wide range of childcare facilities, superb money saving offers and quiet atmospheres. The nursery slopes in both of these resorts are located near to the village centres giving them convenient easy access to most of the hotels and chalets. Sauze d’Oulx offers the widest range of options to groups with the huge variety of restaurants and non stop nightlife on offer, ideal for you to dip in and out of as you prefer. The accommodation is more varied and is good quality at affordable prices. For more advanced skiers, Sestriere is the best resort for challenging runs as well as snowsure confidence.

No matter which resort you choose to stay in in this stunning ski area, fear not that you can take full advantage of the superb links that join up the whole Milky Way area allowing you to enjoy the whole ski circuit.

Best of the Milky Way from the Iglu Ski Experts

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Milky Way piste map

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Milky Way piste map