Sestriere
Via Lattea, PiedmontSee it on the map
About Sestriere
Sestriere was built from nothing in the 1930s by the Agnelli family, the founders of Fiat, as Italy's answer to the fashionable Alpine resorts — which makes it one of the first purpose-built ski resorts in the world. Its two cylindrical hotel towers are still the landmark.
At 2,035 m it is the highest village in the Via Lattea, the 'Milky Way' area that runs across the French border to Montgenèvre, and it holds snow when the lower villages of the system are struggling. It hosted the alpine events of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, and the race pistes are still there to ski.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026
Best suited to
- Intermediates
- Beginners
- Families
Featured instructors at Sestriere
Andrea B.
My name is Andrea, and I am a qualified snowboard instructor officially registered with the Regional College of Ski Instructors of Piedmont. I teach snowboard in Sestriere and throughout the Vialattea ski area. I offer private snowboard lessons and group snowboard courses for riders of all ages and levels, from complete beginners to more experienced snowboarders looking to improve their technique, confidence and independence on the mountain. Thanks to my extensive local knowledge, I can also introduce riders to some of the best freeride and off-piste terrain around Sestriere, always with a strong focus on safety, snow conditions and responsible mountain riding. I also offer splitboard introduction courses and can help experienced riders plan and enjoy outings away from the groomed slopes, choosing routes according to conditions, ability and experience. With more than 10 years of experience as a snowboard instructor, I have previously worked with several ski schools in Sestriere. A few years ago, I decided to become a freelance snowboard instructor, allowing me to develop my own teaching approach and work directly with my clients. Today, I enjoy sharing my experience, local knowledge and passion for snowboarding with riders coming to Sestriere and the Vialattea ski area, helping them experience the mountains with greater awareness, confidence and freedom.
Where lessons start
The village-level slopes are gentle and convenient, and the altitude means they stay in condition. The linked area is large but strung out; for a first week there is no need to leave Sestriere itself.
Getting there
Turin is about an hour and a half, which makes Sestriere one of the most accessible high resorts in the Alps from a major airport.
Qualifications required in Italy
Teaching skiing or snowboarding for payment in Italy is a regulated profession: an instructor must hold the Maestro di sci, registered in the regional albo. Instructors listed as certified on Alpine Pal have either sent theirs to us for review or are vouched for by the ski school that invited them.
Find instructors in ItalySestriere: common questions
Does the Sestriere lift pass cover the whole Via Lattea?
The Via Lattea pass covers Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana and Claviere on the Italian side; Montgenèvre in France needs the international version. For a first week there is no need for any of it — the village-level slopes at 2,035 m are gentle, convenient and stay in condition, and a Sestriere-only pass is cheaper.
How do I get to Sestriere without a car?
Fly to Turin, about an hour and a half away by road, and take a train to Oulx on the Paris–Turin line; from there a bus climbs to Sestriere in well under an hour. The transfer is short by Alpine standards, which is one of the reasons Sestriere works for a long weekend.
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