The upper Val di Susa, west of Turin, is one of Italy’s snow capitals. Here stretches the Via Lattea, a great international ski area with hundreds of kilometres of pistes linking the resorts of the Turin 2006 Olympics — Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, San Sicario, Cesana and Claviere — reaching across the border to Montgenèvre, in France. It’s a skiers’ paradise, but also a real mountain, made of alpine villages, chalets and high-altitude views. Here you’ll find where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
With around 400 kilometres of pistes and some seventy lifts between 1,500 and nearly 2,800 metres, the Via Lattea is one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, able to suit beginners and experts on a single ski pass. It’s a mainly winter destination, with the ski season traditionally running from early December to mid-April, supported by heavy investment in artificial snowmaking. In summer the resorts turn into bases for hiking and mountain biking, though the opening of the lifts in the warm season isn’t guaranteed every year: it’s worth checking before you set off. So let’s look at where it’s best to sleep, resort by resort, to choose the right base.
Sauze d’Oulx, the balcony of the Alps
Nicknamed the “balcony of the Alps” for its splendid sun exposure, Sauze d’Oulx is one of the most loved resorts on the Via Lattea: sunny pistes descending from the Sportinia basin and the Clotes lifts, a lively centre and a tradition of après-ski and nightlife among the most famous in the Alps. It’s the ideal choice for those who want to ski all day and have fun in the evening, with the chalets a stone’s throw from the slopes. The addresses we choose between the centre and the snow:
Chalet Chez Nous
A mountain-style chalet in the hamlet of Jouvenceaux, a short walk from the Via Lattea lifts, with free parking, a buffet breakfast and handy access to the pistes. The warmth of wood and the alpine atmosphere after a day on the snow. Ideal for skiers who want the lifts on the doorstep and a welcoming base.
Etoile des Neiges
A family-run hotel in Sauze d’Oulx, a stone’s throw from the pistes, with an in-house restaurant, a panoramic garden and mountain views. The convenience of dining in after skiing and the warmth of family management. Perfect for those after a simple, well-kept base, with mountain cooking within reach.
Serendipity Hotel
A charming hotel in Sauze d’Oulx, just steps from the Clotes lifts, with a hydromassage tub, a solarium terrace and a generous breakfast every morning. The relaxation of wellness combined with the convenience of having the pistes in front of you. Ideal for those who want to ski and recharge, with the centre and the venues nearby.
All the small hotels in Sauze d’Oulx →
Sestriere, the queen of the snow
At over 2,000 metres, Sestriere is one of the most famous ski resorts in Italy: born as a winter-sports resort and the heart of the alpine races of the 2006 Olympics, it offers reliable snow, wide pistes and a layout that puts ski-in ski-out within reach. It’s the high-altitude choice for keen skiers, with the great carousels of the Via Lattea leaving right from the village. Nearby, other Olympic resorts such as Cesana Torinese and Pragelato round out the valley’s range of pistes and settings. The places are on the dedicated page: all the small hotels in Sestriere →
Bardonecchia, the snow town
At the far west of the valley, Bardonecchia is the largest and most town-like of the resorts: a lively centre with shops and restaurants, at the foot of its own ski area (Campo Smith, Melezet, Jafferau). Important: it’s a ski area distinct from the Via Lattea, not linked ski-in ski-out, even though today it shares the same ownership and a combined seasonal ski pass. It’s the choice for those who want the services of a town and a family-friendly mountain, well connected by train too. The addresses we choose:
Chalet Bellevue
A small hotel in Bardonecchia, in the hamlet of Millaures, with a garden, free parking and rooms with mountain views. The quiet of a secluded corner for nature lovers, with the town and the pistes a short distance away. Simple and well-kept. Ideal for those after calm, good air and a peaceful mountain base.
Residence Les Lacs
An aparthotel in the heart of Bardonecchia, with an indoor water park, a panoramic terrace and equipped apartments, a short walk from the centre and the station. The space and independence of a home, with an extra touch for families. Perfect for those staying several days who want to move on foot between pistes, shops and trains.
All the small hotels in Bardonecchia →
Claviere and the French border
Perched right on the border with France, Claviere is the village that acts as a hinge between the Italian Via Lattea and Montgenèvre: from here you cross the border on skis in a single great international carousel. It’s one of the highest villages in the Alpine arc, small and snug, with direct access to the pistes. The choice for skiers who want to make the most of the whole cross-border area, with France a stone’s throw away. The addresses we choose:
Hotel Al Foiron
A three-star in Claviere, at the gates of the Via Lattea, with mountain-view rooms, a panoramic terrace and direct access to the pistes. The convenience of clipping on your skis and setting off, with France a step away, in one of the highest villages in the Alps. Ideal for skiers who want the cross-border area on the doorstep.
Hotel Piccolo Chalet
A three-star in Claviere, on the border with France, with direct access to the pistes, free parking and rooms with mountain views. A small, welcoming chalet right where Italy and France meet on the snow. Perfect for a carefree ski holiday, with the lifts within boot reach.
All the small hotels in Claviere →
Oulx, the gateway to the valley
Oulx is the crossroads of the upper Val di Susa: here the roads to all the resorts meet and the railway passes through, with the station served by high-speed rail too, towards Turin and France. It’s a practical and often cheaper base, less touristy than the snow resorts but very handy for those arriving by train and for those who want to reach several different ski areas in a day. The choice for those who put connections and value first:
Residence Cascina Genzianella
A family-run aparthotel in Oulx, with apartments fitted with a kitchen, a garden and a solarium terrace, a short walk from the valley’s services and connections. The independence of a home in a handy, affordable base, from which to reach all the resorts in a day. Ideal for families and for those arriving by train.
All the small hotels in Oulx →
When to go
Winter
The headline season, with snow and lifts open traditionally from early December to mid-April. It’s the time for skiing on the Via Lattea, for après-ski and mountain life. Over long weekends and holidays — from the Immacolata bridge to New Year to the ski week — the resorts fill up: book well ahead for a place and better prices.
Spring
The end of the season brings spring skiing: long days, sun and high-altitude pistes still covered in snow, with a more relaxed and less crowded atmosphere. It’s the favourite time for those after snow without the high-season crush, skiing in shirtsleeves under the Alpine sun.
Summer
In summer the mountain changes face: hiking, mountain biking, climbing and high-altitude cool, with quiet villages and lower prices. Bear in mind that the opening of the summer lifts isn’t guaranteed every year and varies from season to season: it’s worth checking before planning your holiday.
Getting here
The upper Val di Susa is very handy from Turin: by car you take the A32 Turin-Bardonecchia motorway, which climbs the valley to the resorts. By train the stations of Oulx and Bardonecchia are well served, including by high-speed rail on the line to France, and from there buses and shuttles climb to the snow resorts.
For the full picture on roads, trains and getting around the region: how to get to Piedmont. The valley is about an hour from Turin; if you’re after more Piedmont snow, take a look too at where to stay in Limone Piemonte.
This guide is part of our grand tour of the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Piedmont.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Val di Susa.
Which is the best resort to stay in for skiing the Via Lattea?
It depends on what you’re after. Sauze d’Oulx is sunny and lively, ideal for skiing and après-ski; Sestriere is the high-altitude choice with more reliable snow; Claviere is perfect for making the most of the cross-border area with France. All are linked ski-in ski-out in the great Via Lattea carousel.
Is Bardonecchia linked to the Via Lattea?
No: Bardonecchia has its own distinct ski area (Campo Smith, Melezet, Jafferau), not linked ski-in ski-out to the Via Lattea, even though today it shares the same ownership and a combined seasonal ski pass. It’s still an excellent destination, with a lively town and good rail connections.
When does the ski season open and close?
The season traditionally runs from early December to mid-April, supported by artificial snowmaking. The busiest periods are long weekends and holidays, from the Immacolata to New Year to the ski week: on those days it’s worth booking well ahead. Always check the lift opening dates before you set off.
Can you visit Val di Susa in summer too?
Yes, but the focus changes: in summer hiking, mountain biking and high-altitude cool prevail, with quiet villages and lower prices. The opening of the lifts in the warm season, however, isn’t guaranteed every year and varies: it’s worth checking before planning your holiday.
How do you get to Val di Susa without a car?
By train, with the stations of Oulx and Bardonecchia well served, including by high-speed rail on the Turin-France line; from there buses and shuttles climb to the snow resorts. Oulx in particular is a handy base for those arriving by train, from which to reach several ski areas in a day.
