Cesana Torinese

Cesana does not have an independent ski area concentrated on a single slope, but serves as the connecting point between two different ski areas. On one side, you climb towards Sansicario and Mount Fraiteve, reaching Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx; on the other, you access Sagnalonga, the Monti della Luna and the slopes of Claviere, which are linked to Montgenèvre in France. The resort is part of Vialattea, which offers more than 400 km of slopes in total.

The ski area accessible from the town extends from approximately 1,350 metres in Cesana up to the 2,701-metre summit of Mount Fraiteve; continuing towards Sestriere, the entire ski area reaches the 2,800-metre summit of Mount Motta. The vertical drop is therefore considerable, although the slopes returning to the valley floor, which are more exposed to mild temperatures, may be affected by snow conditions and scheduled opening dates.

The Sansicario-Fraiteve sector mainly offers long red runs, panoramic high-altitude routes and descents through the woods suited to intermediate skiers. Experts can tackle the technical Fraiteve Olympique run, used for the women’s downhill and super-G events at the 2006 Turin Olympics. Once at the summit of Fraiteve, you can choose whether to descend towards Sestriere or enter the Sauze d’Oulx sector.

The Monti della Luna sector, by contrast, offers a more intimate setting, with slopes mostly running through the woods between Sagnalonga, Colle Bercia and Claviere. The descents are generally enjoyable for families and intermediate skiers, but there are also more technical runs and interesting variants for experienced skiers. Continuing towards Claviere, you enter the international ski area of Montgenèvre directly.

Two important lifts built or upgraded in preparation for Turin 2006 depart from the valley floor: the eight-seater Cesana–Ski Lodge gondola, which leads towards Sansicario, and the automatic Cesana–Sagnalonga chairlift, heading towards the Monti della Luna. These are two convenient and fast access lifts; higher up, the network is less uniform and alternates efficient chairlifts with fixed-grip lifts and older drag lifts.

Its central location makes Cesana an interesting base for those who want to change itinerary every day and explore different sectors of Vialattea. However, it should be borne in mind that moving from one slope to the other requires descending to the valley floor and planning transfers carefully. The resort is therefore particularly suitable for skiers who like to explore, while beginners and families may find simpler areas by going up towards Sansicario or travelling to Claviere.

Cesana was one of the venues for the 2006 Winter Olympics, hosting women’s alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh and luge events within its municipal territory. Compared with Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx, it offers a quieter, more traditional atmosphere, with the advantage of being a short distance from the French border and the numerous historic villages of the upper valley.

During the summer, Cesana Torinese is a starting point for trekking, mountain biking, road cycling and high-altitude routes. The best-known destinations include Valle Argentera, the Monti della Luna, Sagnalonga, the Col de Montgenèvre and the routes towards Mount Chaberton. The Cesana-Sestriere road is also linked to the history of the Giro d’Italia and hosts the famous Cesana-Sestriere hill-climb race every year.