Cruising the Alps:
Sports Facilities
Sestriere
Skiing on La Via Lattea
Sestriere is a modern winter sports resort which was founded in 1928
on the Alpine pass between Val Chisone and the Valle di Susa. It is a renowned
location among skiers due to its magnificent scenery, the variety of ski
slopes and the many back-country skiing itineraries. Being a part of the
La Via Lattea (Milky Way) territory, which is linked with Clavière, Sansicario,
Cesana and Sauze d'Oulx, it offers a vast choice of skiing possibilities.
It was the first Italian resort to be founded exclusively for skiing.
The area owes its uniqueness
to the possibility of being able to range the mountains on skis, to wander
every day from one scenic valley to another along slopes which reach a maximum
gradient of almost 2000 meters. Being 1 hour from Torino, and 2 hours from Milano,
the area is also a good skiing day-trip.
The slopes
The area is noteworthy for the quality and quantity of runs which it offers,
for the extremely modern ski-lifts (no lines) and for the programmed artificial
snow system.
From the very daring Sises ski-lift, to the four-seater chair-lift
with an automatic coupling system, which takes skiers to the Banchetta and
to the cable-way which goes up to Col Basset, all of the lifts are very efficient.
The longest slope runs for 7,3 kms from Fraitève to Pariol. The fastest
one is the 3 km long Kandahar Primavera, where the downhill World Cup race
took place. The run which comes down from Sises des Alpettes is technical
and rather demanding. The slalom run near the Cit Roc ski-lift, which is
shady and covered with powdery snow, is just as steep. The Via Lattea with
its 101 ski-lifts (including those in the French territory of Mongenévre)
boasts an international level downhill run, the #21. The Rio Nero, which
runs from the Fraitève, is a classic among back-country trails. The first
part runs down a beaten run and continues on fresh snow through the woods.
Break-points
At the arrival of the Alpetta run there is the homonymous meeting-place
which is also open in the evening. Half way down the Kanhadar Primavera
slope there is the Chisonette alpine shelter which is besieged
by younger people, while the Tana della Volpe situated in
the old "Chisonette-Banchetta" cable-way station, delights skiers
with its polenta with "bagna caoda" (hot anchovy and garlic savoury).
For a quicker snack there is the Gargotta, patronized by regulars,
which is managed by Armando Collino who is also the owner of the gourmet restaurant "Tre
Rubinetti" in Sestriere. In the evening, to reach the typical Lou Brachettes
shelter, located at the four-seater Banchetta chair-lift's departure, one
must take a ski-doo. Dine by candle light and return to town
on skis by torch light.
Above the Alps in a helicopter
Elisistem (ph: 0122-755220) organizes helicopter excursions
and back-country skiing on the Monte della Luna, on the Terra Nera and
on the Dormione. Half a day of unforgettable skiing costs from 100 Euros,
depending on the number of participants.
  
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