Sestriere ski resorts and lodges

Built by the Fiat car company in 1934, Sestriere is one of the earliest and still one of the highest purpose- built ski stations. Sitting on a sunny plateau, snow cover is guaranteed thanks to both altitude and one of the world's most extensive snow making operations.

The local ski area, well lift linked to Sauze d'Oulx is one of the most extensive in Italy. The area forms one end o the Milky Way circuit, with 400km (250 miles) of trails over the border to Montgenèvre in France, via a generally rather tenuous low level link at Cesana Torinese, going first through Sansicario and after Cesana via Italy's oldest ski resort, Clavière. It's certainly worth making the excursion as it feels like ski touring, but with lifts all the way.

• Vertical Drop: 1,550m/5,084'
• Top Elevation: 2,823m/9,262'
• Lifts: 66 (1 tram, 25 chairs, 40 surface)
• Total Runs: 118 (400 km)