Skiing in Piedmont
Snowing for Gold
By Richard Noble
In 2006, the eyes of the world turned to Turin and the rest of the Piedmont region as the city hosted the Winter Olympics. Events took place across the city, as well as in the nearby mountains, with some 2,500 athletes snowing for Gold. Almost thirteen years on, you can still experience a bit of the legendary Olympic spirit by following in the footsteps, or ski trails, of the Olympians.
Here’s where to go for your ski fix in Piedmont…
Sestriere – Men’s Downhill
Purpose-built in the 1930s by the Agnelli family, of Fiat fame, Sestriere may not be the prettiest of ski resorts, but what it lacks in chocolate box charm, it makes up for with its skiing. Part of the Via Lattea (or Milky Way) network, Sestriere has access to an impressive 400km of pistes and 88 lifts. What’s more, its position right at the centre of the Via Lattea makes it the ideal base from which to explore.
Sestriere panorama – photo compliments of Comune di Sestriere
If you fancy trying your hand at the former Olympic Men’s Downhill course, you need to head to the highest point of the ski resort, where you’ll find the Kandahar Banchetta Nasi run. The run starts at 2,807 metres and is over 3km long, with a vertical drop of almost a kilometre! Ouch!
Frenchman Antoine Deneriaz took Gold, finishing in 1:48:80, less time than it takes most people to tighten the buckles on their ski boots, but if you reckon you can beat him, squeeze into your lycra, wax up your skis and give it your best shot.
Antoine Deneriaz Men’s Downhill Ski Champion 2006 – photo compliments of Deneriaz Ski
Bardonecchia – Snowboard Halfpipe
One of the more recent additions to the Olympic Games, the Snowboard Halfpipe took place in the town of Bardonecchia, a thriving little city at the far end of the Val Susa.
Bardonecchia panorama – photo compliments of Comune di Bardonecchia
Bardonecchia has three fun parks packed with kickers and rails for novices and experts alike, but if you want to throw down a Double McTwist 1260 in the very same half-pipe as Gold medal winners Shaun White and Hannah Teter you need to head for Eagle Park in the Melezet ski area.
Bardonecchia snowboarding – photo compliments of Comune di Bardonecchia
If 540 Rodeos aren’t really your thing, don’t worry Bardonecchia also boasts three great ski areas, with 23 lifts and 100km of pistes.
Pragelato – Ski Jumping
One of the Games’ more vertigo-inducing events, the ski jumping took place at the Stadio del Trampolino in Pragelato. Competitors pointed their skis straight down for almost 100 metres, reaching speeds of up to 94 km/h before launching themselves into the air. The gold medal on the ‘large hill’ was won by Austrian Thomas Morgenstern, who flew a remarkable 276.9 metres.
Pragelato skiing in Piedmont – photo compliments of Comune di Pragelato
Unfortunately (though probably wisely) you’re not allowed to give it a go, but you can do the next best thing… stay at the Ski Jumping Hotel, which was built for the 2006 Winter Olympics and overlooks the jumps.
Pragelato ski jump – photo compliments of Pragelato Turismo
Pragelato is part of the Via Lattea and has also recently opened a new Natural Terrain Area, with two lifts serving a vast expanse of unpisted freeride zones. Check out http://www.pragelatonaturalterrain.it/ for more details.
Turin, Palavela – Figure Skating
You don’t have to head out to the mountains to get your Olympic fix. Sitting alongside the river Po in central Turin, the striking Palavela arena played host to the Figure Skating and Short Track Speed Skating events, though it is perhaps better known for its starring role in the Italian Job. These days it houses a variety of sports, including basketball, gymnastics and, of course, skating.
Palavela Turin – photo compliments of Palavela Torino
If you fancy getting your Torvill and Dean (or should that be your Drobiazko and Vanagas) on, a session costs just 11 Euros, including skate hire. Heavily sequined lycra is optional. www.palavelatorino.it
What you need to know
The Via Lattea (Milky Way) comprises the ski resorts of Sauze d’Oulx (1509m), Sestriere (2035m), San Sicario (1700m), Pragelato (1518m), Claviere (1760m) and the French resort of Montgenevre (1850m). Situated just to the west of Turin, all the resorts are an easy drive of no more than an hour from the city centre. If you don’t have a car, buses run from the city to Sestriere, or jump on a train from Porta Susa to Oulx, which is a short bus or taxi ride from Sauze d’Oulx.
Bardonecchia is just an hour’s drive from Turin’s city centre and can also be reached by direct train from Torino Porta Nuova station.
At the time of writing this post, a daily lift ticket for the Via Lattea costs 36 Euros, while at Bardonecchia it costs 35 Euros.
Useful Links for skiing in Piedmont:
http://www.pragelatoturismo.it/
Skiing and snowboarding in Sauze d’Oulx
Sauze d’Oulx featured in Lonely Planet as one of Europe’s best budget ski resorts
Our guest blog post about skiing in Piedmont is by Richard Noble, he blogs about his life in Piedmont on Living In The Langhe
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