Cesana-Sansicario is the Via Lattea's own 'piste of paradise'. Smack bang in the centre of the Italian sector of the Milky Way, it is the place for lovers of splendid intermediate groomers to congregate & carve corduroy til one’s heart is content.

The Cesana-Sansicario sector’s main terrain strength is the multitude of lovely rolling, fall line, on-piste groomers. Most of them provide fabulous, sheltered riding during the worst weather too. Its other most overt strength is it has the region’s best mountain rifugi & restaurants. Perched in utterly splendid situations overlooking the valley & mountains toward the 3131m Chaberton peak, they are deservedly popular. Soleil Boeuf, Mavie & Rifugio Martin all have the greatest views but are best avoided at peak lunchtimes due to the afore mentioned popularity. It is possible to do a fun après ski run from hut to hut starting from Rifugio Martin.

Perhaps a tad limited in off-piste offerings, it is of no matter, as the interlinked ski resorts of Sestriere & Sauze d’Oulx have ample freeride potential. The Fraiteve summit at the top of the resort has freeride lines in all directions & all aspects. The sunny south-facing slopes are interesting down toward a series of local hamlets, from where it is possible to ski/skin back into Sansicario without too much *effort (*note - the word ‘effort’ can mean many things to many people, scope it all before heading down!) Of interest is that the quickest way to the top of the ski area is via the gondola direct from Sestriere. From within Cesana-Sansicario, Fraiteve takes 3 or 4 lifts, depending on the starting point! Go figure.

The resort’s major quibble is associated with the top of the Roccia Rotonda chair. It doesn’t quite go high enough, requiring an uphill walk to the linking trail to Sestriere. Now we don’t truly care, but it is fun checking out all the people that do. If this is the worst of the resort sector, then it isn’t so bad is it?

The resort’s three villages are all totally different. Our preference is for the tiny, original hamlet of San Sicario - Torinese, midway up the mountainside between Cesana in the valley & Sansicario Alto above. Some may find it too quiet, but the small mountain village experience is hard to go past. Raucous après & nightlife can be found anywhere in the Alps, so a blissful authentic alternative is always great. All the villages are well placed to get around the Italian & French sectors of the Via Lattea. Heading across to Montgenevre takes a little effort via 5 lifts but can achieved in around 45min from Sansicario Alto village & is worth it.

For anyone looking to ski an authentic, mega-sized European ski resort on a budget, Sansicario & the broader Via Lattea are nearly impossible to beat.

You can see our thoughts on the pros and cons on the Cesana - Sansicario overview page and also see our European ski resort ratings page regarding how we score it compared to other skiing areas.