Sauze d'Oulx

Sauze d’Oulx is the easiest Italian way into the Via Lattea (Milky Way), one of the biggest ski areas in Europe, with 400 km of linked runs across Italy and France. Low prices, a young crowd, and its closeness to Turin and the airport have made it a favorite for decades with British and international snowboarders looking for good value.

Why Go Snowboarding

The Via Lattea has huge variety: from wide, easy runs for beginners to the blacks at Sestriere and the off-piste chutes at Montgenèvre. Sauze is the cheapest base for exploring the whole area, and the Via Lattea lift ticket is one of the best deals in the Alps: much cheaper than Chamonix or Verbier, for over 400 km of runs. The vibe is social, the après-ski is lively, and the snowboard scene has been around for years.

Terrain & Slopes

Sauze has 13 lifts of its own, linked into the Via Lattea network: 70 lifts and 265 official runs in total. The highest point is Monte Motta (2,823 m), above Sestriere. The best runs for snowboarders in the Sauze sector are on the Rio Nero side, reds and blacks with real pitch. The Sportinia blues are great for laid-back carving. Heads up: some of the links between resorts have flat sections, which are a pain on a board.

Snowpark

The Vialattea snowpark is at Sauze d’Oulx and is built for snowboarding, freestyle, and ski-cross: jumps, kickers, rails, and wall rides, with the lifts dropping you right at the entrance. The setup changes: check the Vialattea website for the current layout.

Getting There

Train: Oulx is on the Turin–Modane line (TGVs stop there too). From Turin Porta Susa it takes about 45 minutes. Free or cheap shuttles run from Oulx to Sauze. Car: A32 from Turin, Oulx exit, then 8 km on a provincial road. Bus: services from Turin airport, booked in advance.

Tips

The best time for Sauze is January and February; in December the lower slopes can be short on snow. The Via Lattea lift ticket is cheaper if you buy it online. There’s plenty of affordable lodging: chalets, apartments, and B&Bs for every budget. The village is compact and easy to walk around. If you only want Sauze and not the whole area, there’s a local day ticket that’s a bit cheaper.