Sestriere

Sestriere is a name that resonates through Italian winter sports history: venue for the alpine events at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, it sits at the heart of the Via Lattea — one of Europe’s largest ski areas with over 400km of linked pistes spanning Piedmont and France. For snowboarders it is a serious destination with high altitude, varied terrain, and a vast basin to explore.

The JO Snowpark and Freestyle

Freestyle in the Via Lattea is centred on the JO Snowpark in the Sauze d’Oulx area, easily reachable by lift from Sestriere. The park is medium-sized but well-built, with progressive kickers, rails and a jib area that invite long sessions. The setup is aimed at intermediate and advanced riders who already know what they want to work on. Not a park for complete beginners, but anyone with a foundation will find a place to genuinely progress.

Freeride and the Via Lattea

The real strength of Sestriere for snowboarders is the ability to explore the enormous Via Lattea network. The slopes between Sestriere, Sansicario and Claviere offer interesting off-piste terrain: open trees, rock channels, and wide open faces after fresh snowfall. The resort’s average altitude — Sestriere itself starts at 2035m — is a significant advantage for snow quality. Post-storm days on these slopes are unforgettable.

Getting There

By car from Turin, take the A32 motorway to exit Oulx Ovest, then climb the SS23 to Sestriere — about 2 hours total. By train, stop at Oulx on the Turin–Modane line, from where shuttles and buses serve the resort. Sestriere is a purpose-built ski village — almost everything sits at 2035m — with slope-side accommodation and a layout designed to minimise walking between lodging and lifts.

Why Go

Sestriere delivers for snowboarders who want a huge ski area, reasonable prices, and a unique place in Italian ski history. The link with France (Montgenèvre) and the other Via Lattea resorts means a week’s holiday can feel entirely different each day. Adventure-minded snowboarders will appreciate the post-snowfall freeride; freestylers have the JO Snowpark. A combination that works for many different types of rider.