Sestriere resort guide - a general overview
Sestriere is located on a broad, sunny and windy col at an altitude of 2,000m and at the far end of the Milky Way ski area. Recent investment during the run up to the 2006 Winter Olympics has done something to improve the inhospitable look of many of the buildings. Ski holidays in Sestriere are limited mostly to apartments but there are some hotels. Snow cover is usually reliable for most of the season, in part due to an extensive snow-making network as the entire area does suffer from notoriously erratic snowfall. The local slopes cater well for all levels of skier, but although the lifts are quite modern, queues do tend to form quickly during weekends and holidays.
Resort stats
400km
2,035m - 2,825m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- Turin
- 1hr 30mins
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extensive ski area part of the vast Milky way network
- High altitude skiing so reliable snow
- Skiing for all levels
- Improved links since the Turin Winter Olympics
Cons
- Purpose built resort lacking any alpine charm and not very conveniently laid out
- Crowded at weekends
- Quiet apres-ski during the week
Restaurants
Sestriere Resort Restaurants
If you fancied leaving your hotel one night to sample some different cuisine, there are plenty of restaurants in Sestriere. The Antica Spelonca in Borgata is a rustic option and serves good quality local dishes. Other restaurants to try in the resort are - Pinky, Last Tango and Ritrovo. Lo Scitolo is the place to head for great pizza!
Sestriere Mountain Restaurants
A good alternative to going back to your hotel for lunch, the woody Raddio di Sole at Anfiteatro offers good quality local food along with live music. Il Capret at Borgata at the bottom of the valley is very popular with skiers and has friendly staff and reasonably prices.
Sestriere Apres Ski
La Gargotte Fashion Café, ski-in at the bottom of the pistes in Sestriere, bop 'til you drop to a mix of the latest hits, the classics and some questionable eurotrash. Raggio di Sole, a more laid-back vibe than Les Gargottes, and less crowded, but the kind of place it is all too easy to settle into, and the wine and beer just keeps on coming and often you'll catch a live band al fresco. For a more exhilarating last run down to Sestriere, make your pit stop at Tana delle Volpe - at 2,555m, that leaves you with 1,000m of vertical drop to ski. The staff are very friendly and it won't be heaving. The spectacular views and amazing board of charcuterie make it well worthwhile! QB - right by the bottom of the slopes in Sestriere, QB has a great vibe, a great wine list, good beers, and the type of apperitivo (little plates of nibbles) spread that will ruin your appetite for dinner! Barabba is in the middle of Sestriere town (about 5 minutes' walk from the slopes); a bit more sophisticated, with great apperitivi and a truly bewildering array of grappas.
Sestriere Nightlife
Tabata disco is the place to head after dinner in your hotel in Sestriere. Brahms and the Pub Black Pepper are also lively.