Via Lattea

Via Lattea (Milky Way) unites six resorts across two countries—Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere, and Montgenèvre—creating one of Europe's largest ski domains with 400 kilometres of marked pistes spanning the Italian-French border. The resort stretches across elevations from 1,350 to 2,823 metres, creating remarkably diverse terrain from gentle nursery slopes to Olympic downhill courses. Modern snowmaking systems cover 70% of all marked runs, ensuring reliable conditions throughout winter. The area combines extensive intermediate cruising with challenging expert terrain, including the famous Kandahar Banchetta run in Sestriere, while the French sector at Montgenèvre typically receives the heaviest snowfall across the domain.

The Via Lattea lift system comprises 78 modern installations strategically positioned to unify six historically separate resorts into a cohesive cross-border skiing experience. The network features high-capacity gondolas and detachable chairlifts with weather protection bubbles on primary routes, complemented by surface lifts serving dedicated beginner zones. Recent infrastructure investments have introduced RFID ticketing technology, heated seats on newer lifts, and expanded uphill capacity by 30%, effectively minimising wait times even during peak periods. The system's comprehensive design enables efficient movement between the constituent areas, with strategic lift placements that facilitate natural progression through increasingly challenging terrain while showcasing spectacular Alpine panoramas.