Sauze d'Oulx, Italy

Resort Overview for Sauze d'Oulx:

Sauze d'Oulx, pronounced "Sow-zee-doo" was one of the most successful Italian ski resorts on the 1970s and '80s, expanding rapidly. Located on a high sunny 'balcony' in the Susa Valley, the resort is surrounded by larch forest above. The trails cut down through this natural amphitheatre have an excellent snow record. Its success resulted from its large and varied ski area, linked to Sestrière, its lively night life and reasonable prices. The resulting growth has led to the construction of a large number of rectangular concrete apartment blocks, mirroring its French partner, Montgènevre, now lift-linked to Sauze at the other end of the long Milky Way circuit.

Although Sauze still has a delightful ancient heart of stone buildings, narrow streets and a cobbled square with water fountain, as well as locals prepared to dress in traditional attire for ancient festivals, these are all somewhat swamped by the newer developments all around. In the 1990s Sauze d'Oulx has matured to some extent, and although the resort is still one of the liveliest ski centres in the world, the occasionally unpleasant 'rowdy' element has moved on. It remains a very popular destination none the less, with most of the major international tour operators including it in their resort lists.

Skiing has been popular here for over a century and world champions like Piero Gros, a gold medalist of the 1976 Olympics, have been based here. Skiing first began on the local slopes at the end of the last century when a Swiss engineer, Adolfo Kind, taught skiing to locals and guests using wooden boards strapped to the feet.

The Skiing in Sauze d'Oulx:

Sauze d'Oulx's ski area can be accessed from four different points around the village, all served by chair lifts and linked at resort level by a ski bus. As the resort is built on quite a steep hillside and all the lifts leave from the upper outskirts of the village, this bus is invaluable for many guests.

Beginners have a village level nursery slope at the base of the Clotes chair, but most teaching takes place at Sportina, a plateau area half way up the mountain from which many lifts radiate out and there are a number of short beginner drags. Sportina can be reached quickly by a quad chairlift.

Intermediates will get the most out of this great varied terrain and enjoy the feeling of travel over to the neighbouring areas. These include Sestrière's famous slopes and the long reds above down from Fratieve to Sansicario. Reasonable intermediates can make the Milky Way link in reasonable snow conditions by skiing over to Sansicario, taking the (Unskiable) chairlift link across the top of Cesana and then skiing on above Clavière, Italy's oldest ski centre, over the border to Montgenèvre in France. Remember to check ahead for piste conditions all the way over, leave early to be on the safe side, to take your passport (virtually never requested but better safe than sorry) and a trail map.

Expert skiers will find some fun off-piste amongst the larch woods of the lower slopes or up in the higher powder bowls. There are a variety of off piste routes which a guide can show you that descend 1300m from the top of Fratieve to the valley.

Excursions to Val Thorens are sometimes organised, thanks to the new lift access from a 'fourth valley' that runs in to Italy and links in to the Trois Valley circuit.

Après Ski in Sauze d'Oulx:

Still Italy's liveliest ski centre and up there with St Anton, Chamonix and Sölden in the global rankings. The choice at Sauze is large and includes the Cotton Club for Acid Jazz which has been operating for more than 30 years now, for a British pub like atmosphere, the Max Bar with satellite TV and live football, cocktails at Moncrons, or the Gran Trun wine bar which usually has live music.

If you like your bars on the Irish theme head for Paddy McGintys, For a quieter atmosphere Miravallino has a tear room with a bar service.

Many of the bars continue with dancing into the small hours but there are dedicated discothèques too, including Banditos and Schuss.

Accommodation in Sauze d'Oulx:

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