March 15-22 I spent in Sestriere, Italy, together with Patrik, Jesper, Casper, Bo and Martin – Team Holst. Thanks to Casper that arranged the trip through Slopetrotter.
We flew Air Berlin to Torino and SAS home from Milano. 1,5 hours transfer from Torino to Sestriere and 3 hours the other way. A “memorable” moment on Air Berlin was the free “sandwich”…
Sestriere is located at 2035 m. above sea level, 17 km from the French border. It is a part of the ski area Via Lattea (milky way) that has around 145 skiable pistes, that adds up to approx. 400 km.
Landmarks in town are the two round hotel towers that was built in the 1930’s by the FIAT family for the employees at the car factory in Torino to spend their winter holidays. It is still a popular winter resort and the population goes from the 800 inhabitants to approx 20.000 during the winter holidays. In 2006 Sestriere was a part of the winter Olympics.
We had 6 days with sun, blue sky and warm weather. First couple of hours during the day the piste was hard, “wash boardish”. The next couple of hours it was nice and soft, sometimes a bit of spring snow. Some slopes turned a bit too slushy in the afternoon.
- We stayed at the Palace Residence 2 located a bit uphill on the opposite side of the ski lifts. There was local bus transport every 20 min. in the morning and afternoon.
- Great after ski at GFC, Wednesday (after pic-nic :-O ).
- Station/Refuge Alpette was until 1986 a middle station for the cable car to the summit. It has a large sun deck and is a great place for a rest and one or two drinks…
- Soleil Boeuf is another great place to rest your legs. Large sun deck with fat boys and sofas.
- Piste #duemila (2000), one of the favorite piste with great snow, through the forest and not many people.
- “The hidden restaurant” Ciao Pais. Even if it’s “hidden” you need to book for lunch…
Gallery:
