Sestriere

Sestriere is Piedmont's premier alpine ski resort, set at 2,035 meters in the Cottian Alps. It hosted events at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics and offers skiing, hiking, and mountain scenery year-round.

Things to do

• Ski the Via Lattea — The Milky Way ski area links resorts across the French border with over 400km of pistes.
• Summer mountain hiking — Trails from Sestriere lead to high Alpine passes with stunning views into France.
• Mountain biking — Lift-served bike trails in summer attract riders of all levels through beautiful Alpine terrain.
• Visit in winter for night skiing — Sestriere offers floodlit evening runs, a memorable way to experience the slopes.
• Explore Fenestrelle Fortress — Nearby Fenestrelle holds one of Europe's largest mountain fortresses, a dramatic engineering marvel.

Food to try

• Polenta Concia — Rich polenta melted with Alpine cheeses and butter, the ultimate mountain comfort food.
• Fonduta Piemontese — Piedmontese fondue made with Fontina cheese, egg yolks, and shaved black truffle.
• Carbonade — A hearty stew of salt-cured beef cooked in red wine, traditional in the Alpine valleys.
• Grolla Coffee — A communal wooden cup of coffee mixed with grappa and sugar, passed around mountain-style.

Local customs & good to know

• Ski lift etiquette — Queue patiently and follow slope markings; Italian skiers expect orderly conduct on busy pistes.
• Mountain weather changes fast — Always carry an extra layer even on sunny days, as Alpine conditions shift rapidly.
• Book ski passes online — Via Lattea passes are cheaper when purchased online before arrival at the resort.