I've been here years and years ago. It was before the Olympic Games, but it was already known that they would come to Sestriere. I think it was in the early '00. Our feelings then was: they need money for better and more lifts and restaurants.
Now at least 10-15 years later I still have that feeling. On all levels the can learn from other (Italian) skiing areas. In the way you prepar your slopes and you maintain them during the day. In the way you use artificial snow. In the choice of lifts. All chairlifts without protection from the elements (roofs?) and very slow.
On the Italian side you'll find more and cheaper restaurants but older and slower lifts. On the french side it's just opposite.
The're enough slopes for a variety of tours. Unfortunatly we weren't able to use them to the full extent because of very, very bad weather conditions. Álmost no snow in that week of January 2016.
Most skiërs are from nearby Torino and are only skiing in the weekends. Most other tourists are from the UK. The prices for a pas are very, very reasonable. But be aware of what your buying. Not all passes give acces to the international skiing area. Most of them just one day out of 6-7.
If I could offer one advice: go on a training to Dolomiti Superski. The're is so much more possible with this beautiful area. read more
