Sestriere Skiing Christmas 2022

[The G Kid]

I'm thinking of booking a family ski/boarding trip in Sestriere for a week just after Christmas Day. Anything to look out for or avoid? Will it likely be crazy busy and stacks of queues, or would the area be big enough to handle it? Thinking either Grand Hotel or Hotel du Col.

Thanks in advance!

[The G Kid]

I should also add we have an different option in Tignes to Sestriere. It's a bit more expensive (about 2.5K per family), so the question is whether Tignes is that much of a better resort??

Thanks.

[Lotobear]

I went to Sestriere a few years ago and the lack of investment (lifts and infrastructure) and general run down feeling was stark when compared to Switzerland France or Austria. We were a bit unfortunate in that we had really crap snow as well but I don't think that is clouding my opinion.

We had one day across in Montgenevre and the contrast was like night and day.

I really wanted to enjoy it as I love Italy but for me Sestriere was a real disappointment

Edited by Lotobear on Tuesday 13th September 18:12

[The G Kid]

Lotobear said:

I went to Sestriere a few years ago and the lack of investment (lifts and infrastructure) and general run down feeling was stark when compared to Switzerland France or Austria. We were a bit unfortunate in that we had really crap snow as well but I don't think that is clouding my opinion.

We had one day across in Montgenevre and the contrast was like night and day.

I really wanted to enjoy it as I love Italy but for me Sestriere was a real disappointment

Edited by Lotobear on Tuesday 13th September 18:12

Thanks for the info. I presume that was post the 2006 Winter Olympics?

[Lotobear]

The G Kid said:

Lotobear said:

I went to Sestriere a few years ago and the lack of investment (lifts and infrastructure) and general run down feeling was stark when compared to Switzerland France or Austria. We were a bit unfortunate in that we had really crap snow as well but I don't think that is clouding my opinion.

We had one day across in Montgenevre and the contrast was like night and day.

I really wanted to enjoy it as I love Italy but for me Sestriere was a real disappointment

Edited by Lotobear on Tuesday 13th September 18:12

Thanks for the info. I presume that was post the 2006 Winter Olympics?

Indeed it was, ...around 7 year ago IIRC. I recall some of the winter olympics stuff visible from the lift over in Sauze but we couldn't get down there as the pistes were bare of snow.

I wrecked my beloved Salomon skis on that holiday with all the rocks and grit, an edge finally came completely off.

The odd thing the snow was perfect over in Montgenevre, just a valley away.

[The G Kid]

Lotobear said:

Indeed it was, ...around 7 year ago IIRC. I recall some of the winter olympics stuff visible from the lift over in Sauze but we couldn't get down there as the pistes were bare of snow.

I wrecked my beloved Salomon skis on that holiday with all the rocks and grit, an edge finally came completely off.

The odd thing the snow was perfect over in Montgenevre, just a valley away.

Thanks for the info.

[Speed 3]

Everywhere will likely be crazy busy if you've not done that week before. We did Grand Massif that week when the girls were just learning about 10 years ago and I remember it being even busier than subsequent Feb half terms. That said we're doing it over xmas this year (chalet) so you just have to suck it up. Days are pretty short at full mid-winter too.

I go on a boys weekend to Vila Lattea every year but we stay in Sauze. Sestriere always strikes me as a concrete jungle but then I'm not into big hotels. Links are nominally good to Sauze, Claviere and Montgenevre for a big choice of runs but key crossings easily get closed by winds & cloud. Likely to be rammed with the Italians of Turin/Milan although the first week in Jan is their absolute peak. It is very good value for money compared to France tho'.

[The G Kid]

Speed 3 said:

Everywhere will likely be crazy busy if you've not done that week before. We did Grand Massif that week when the girls were just learning about 10 years ago and I remember it being even busier than subsequent Feb half terms. That said we're doing it over xmas this year (chalet) so you just have to suck it up. Days are pretty short at full mid-winter too.

I go on a boys weekend to Vila Lattea every year but we stay in Sauze. Sestriere always strikes me as a concrete jungle but then I'm not into big hotels. Links are nominally good to Sauze, Claviere and Montgenevre for a big choice of runs but key crossings easily get closed by winds & cloud. Likely to be rammed with the Italians of Turin/Milan although the first week in Jan is their absolute peak. It is very good value for money compared to France tho'.

Thanks, we'd usually avoid Christmas but differing Feb half terms with the families we usually go with means looking at Christmas this year. Have done France before at Christmas and it was particularly busy at times, but that is understandable.

And it's quite a bit cheaper than France!

[Lotobear]

IMHO, there is no better mix of value, quality and authenticity than Austria.

[gregs656]

I did a day in Sestriere, I don't remember being wow'd by it.

Tignes on the other hand is awesome.