Piemonte

Updated October 2026 · Sources: Vialattea, Bardonecchia Ski, Monterosa Ski, Riserva Bianca, Montgenèvre, Trenitalia, Wikipedia

Find a place to stay in Piedmont

Piedmont, in north-west Italy, is surrounded by the Alps on three sides: the Ligurian and Maritime Alps to the south, the Cottian Alps with Monviso to the west, and the Graian, Pennine and Lepontine Alps to the north, with Monte Rosa. Mountains (Alps and Apennines) cover about 43% of the region, and its highest point is the Nordend of Monte Rosa, at 4,609 m. For a holiday, Piedmont’s mountains fall into three areas: the upper Susa Valley with the Via Lattea ski area, west of Turin; the province of Cuneo, from Limone Piemonte to the valleys around Mondovì, close to the Riviera and Nice; and the Monte Rosa side, with Alagna in the Valsesia and Macugnaga in the Valle Anzasca.

In winter Piedmont has one of Italy’s largest ski areas, the Via Lattea (the “Milky Way”), with 400 km of slopes linking Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx and Montgenèvre in France, on the runs of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics. Alongside it there are small family resorts and the high-altitude freeride of Monte Rosa. In summer you can hike to alpine lakes, border forts and Walser villages, ride old military roads above 2,000 m and climb towards the huts of the 4,000-metre peaks.

Access is easy. Turin Caselle airport is about 95 km from Bardonecchia, and trains run from Turin to Oulx and Bardonecchia; TGV and Frecciarossa trains from Paris and Lyon also stop at Oulx. For Monte Rosa, Milan Malpensa is closer; for Limone, Nice is about 110 km away through the Tende tunnel.

BardonecchiaSauze d’OulxSestriereSusa ValleyVia LatteaMontgenevreLimone PiemontePrato NevosoSan Giacomo di RoburentAlagnaMacugnagaMonte Rosa

Upper Susa Valley and Via Lattea. The largest and easiest area to reach: A32 motorway from Turin, trains to Oulx and Bardonecchia. There are two separate ski areas here, the Via Lattea and Bardonecchia, and they are not linked by lifts.

Via Lattea

The Via Lattea is not a village but the ski area joining the upper Susa Valley, the upper Val Chisone and France: Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere, Pragelato and Montgenèvre. It has 400 km of slopes and more than 70 lifts, from about 1,400 to about 2,800 m. Choose it if you want to cover lots of ground in a week. Slopes, lift passes and villages in our Via Lattea guide.

Sestriere

Sestriere sits at 2,035 m, the highest municipality in Italy by town hall altitude, on an open pass between the Val Chisone and the Susa Valley. It hosted the men’s alpine skiing events of the 2006 Olympics and is known for its two towers, built in the 1930s at the wish of Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli. Best if you want to ski from your door starting at 2,035 m. Read our Sestriere guide.

Sauze d’Oulx

Sauze d’Oulx is at 1,509 m above Oulx, about 85 km from Turin. It has a stone-built old centre, plenty of tree-lined runs for poor-visibility days and the liveliest nightlife in the Via Lattea, and it has long been a favourite with British skiers. It hosted the freestyle events in 2006. Good for groups of friends; Oulx station is a few kilometres away. All the details in our Sauze d’Oulx guide.

Montgenèvre (Monginevro)

Montgenèvre is in France, in the Hautes-Alpes, at 1,860 m on the pass of the same name, about 2 km from Claviere. It is still part of the Via Lattea: through the Monti della Luna it is linked by lifts to Claviere and Cesana, and the Vialattea Internazionale pass covers both sides. The French sector alone has 95 km of slopes and the Famille Plus family label. Our Montgenèvre guide.

Bardonecchia

Bardonecchia is at 1,312 m at the head of the Susa Valley, about 90 km from Turin, and it is the westernmost municipality in Italy. Its ski area is separate from the Via Lattea: 100 km of slopes and 23 lifts across Colomion, Melezet and Jafferau. The regional train from Turin stops in town in about an hour and a half, so it works well without a car and for families. Read our Bardonecchia guide.

Susa Valley

The Susa Valley (Val di Susa) follows the Dora Riparia river for about 80 km, from Avigliana to the French border. Besides the ski resorts of the upper valley it has the Sacra di San Michele abbey, the Roman arch of Susa, Exilles Fort and Rocciamelone (3,538 m). Ideal for mixing mountains, history and day trips from Turin. All in our Susa Valley guide.

Province of Cuneo: Maritime Alps and the valleys near Mondovì. Further south, resorts are smaller and usually cheaper, with the sea an hour and a half to two hours away.

Limone Piemonte

Limone Piemonte is at about 1,010 m in the Valle Vermenagna, the last Italian village before the Col de Tende. The Riserva Bianca ski area has 80 km of slopes and 16 lifts up to 2,085 m, with three access points: the village, Quota 1400 and Limonetto. In summer you can walk to the heart-shaped Lago Terrasole or drive the Alta Via del Sale gravel road. Limone has a railway station on the Cuneo–Ventimiglia line. Our Limone Piemonte guide.

Prato Nevoso

Prato Nevoso is a purpose-built resort from the 1960s at about 1,500 m, part of Frabosa Sottana in the Ligurian Alps. It belongs to Mondolè Ski with Artesina and Frabosa Soprana, over 130 km of slopes according to the operator. Good for families (ski schools, snow park, snow playground) and young skiers, with night skiing too. Cycling fans know it from the 2008 Tour de France summit finish. Read our Prato Nevoso guide.

San Giacomo di Roburent

San Giacomo di Roburent is a village at 1,011 m, about 22 km from Mondovì. A small family ski area: it lists 35 km of slopes and 9 lifts up to 1,611 m on Monte Alpet, but the Bric Colmé sector has been closed for the last two winters after a fire. Good for a tight budget, snowshoeing and peace and quiet. Our San Giacomo di Roburent guide.

Piedmont’s Monte Rosa. In the north, in the provinces of Vercelli and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, are Piedmont’s two Walser villages at the foot of Monte Rosa, closer to Milan than to Turin.

Monte Rosa

Monte Rosa is a massif with many summits over 4,000 m shared by Piedmont, the Aosta Valley and Switzerland. Its highest peak, the Dufourspitze (4,634 m), is in Switzerland; on the Italian side stands the Capanna Regina Margherita at 4,554 m, the highest hut in Europe. Valleys, the Tour and the lifts in our Monte Rosa guide.

Alagna Valsesia

Alagna is at 1,191 m, the last village in the Valsesia, with hamlets of wood-and-stone Walser houses. It is Piedmont’s gateway to the Monterosa Ski area, over 100 km of slopes linked to Gressoney and Champoluc, and the base for freeriding from Punta Indren (3,275 m). For strong skiers, mountaineers and hikers; families have cross-country trails along the Sesia river. Our Alagna guide.

Macugnaga

Macugnaga is at 1,327 m at the head of the Valle Anzasca, below the east face of Monte Rosa, about 2,600 m of rock and ice. It is a quiet Walser village with the Chiesa Vecchia, an ancient lime tree and a gold mine you can visit. Its ski lifts have been stopped since December 2025: the Belvedere chairlifts reopened in summer 2026, but winter 2026/27 is not yet confirmed. For now it suits hikers and anyone looking for quiet. Read our Macugnaga guide.

Before booking, check which ski area a village belongs to: lift passes and links differ.

• Via Lattea: 400 km, more than 70 lifts, about 1,400 to 2,800 m. Day pass 2026/27 online from €52 (low season) to €60 (Christmas); the Vialattea Internazionale pass including Montgenèvre costs €69. Passes of 6 to 15 days include one day at Montgenèvre and one at Bardonecchia. Price season 5 December 2026 to 11 April 2027, snow permitting.
• Bardonecchia: 100 km and 23 lifts, separate area. Day pass 2026/27: €44 on weekdays, €51 on holidays, €52 from 24 December to 6 January, €40 in promo periods.
• Monterosa Ski (from Alagna): over 100 km linked to the Aosta Valley, season 28 November 2026 to 11 April 2027. 2026/27 prices not yet published.
• Province of Cuneo: Riserva Bianca at Limone (80 km), Mondolè Ski at Prato Nevoso (over 130 km according to the operator), San Giacomo di Roburent (35 km listed). 2026/27 prices not yet published in mid-October.

In Italy you need third-party liability insurance to ski on the pistes; off-piste, an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are compulsory when there is avalanche risk.

Many lifts open only from late June to late August, some only in August: always check the dates.

• High military roads: the Strada dell’Assietta, about 35 km of gravel between Sestriere and Pian dell’Alpe, almost all above 2,000 m, usually open from July to October and closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays and Saturdays in July and August. Further south, the Alta Via del Sale from Limone towards Liguria, tolled for cars and motorbikes and closed to motor traffic on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Huts and 4,000-metre peaks: from Alagna the lifts go up to Punta Indren; from there climbers reach the Capanna Margherita in two days with a mountain guide. At Macugnaga you can go up to the Belvedere and the Zamboni-Zappa hut below the east face.
• Forts: Exilles in the Susa Valley, Bramafam at Bardonecchia, the Col de Tende forts loop above Limone, Mont Chaberton (3,131 m) above Claviere.
• Cycling: bike parks at Sauze d’Oulx, Bardonecchia, Montgenèvre, Prato Nevoso and San Giacomo di Roburent; the Colle delle Finestre (2,176 m) for road cyclists.
• Multi-day trekking: the Tour of Monte Rosa, more than 150 km in 9 stages between Italy and Switzerland, from July to September.

• Lago Terrasole (Limone Piemonte): heart-shaped lake at around 1,800 m, about 20 minutes’ walk from the top of the gondola, or about 2 hours 30 from the village.
• Lago Nero and Lago Laune (Sauze d’Oulx): the first at 2,350 m above Sportinia, the second at 2,043 m.
• Lac des Anges and Lac Gignoux (Montgenèvre): reached with the summer lifts and almost flat paths across the border pastures.
• Lago delle Fate (Macugnaga): small dammed lake in the Val Quarazza, a short climb from Isella.

Monviso

Monviso (3,841 m) is the highest peak in the Cottian Alps, between the Po and Varaita valleys. The Po, Italy’s longest river, rises at its foot at Pian del Re. Since 2013 the area has been a cross-border UNESCO biosphere reserve with France; the Quintino Sella hut is at 2,640 m.

Valle Maira

The Valle Maira, in the province of Cuneo, is about 45 km long, from Busca and Dronero to Acceglio. It is an Occitan valley known for the Percorsi Occitani, a 13-stage loop of trails you can walk, ride by mountain bike or on horseback. In Elva the parish church has late fifteenth-century frescoes by Hans Clemer. For hikers who want peace and quiet.

Ossola

The Ossola is the northern tip of Piedmont, bordering Switzerland. In the Val Formazza the Toce waterfall runs in full flow only for a few hours a day in summer; the rest of the time its water goes to a hydroelectric plant. Further south, Val Grande National Park, created in 1992, is described as the largest wild area in the Alps and in Italy.

• From Turin: Sauze d’Oulx about 85 km, Bardonecchia about 90 km, Sestriere and Montgenèvre about 100 km; San Giacomo di Roburent about 105 km, Prato Nevoso about 110 km, Limone about 125 km; Alagna about 165 km, Macugnaga about 195 km.
• From Cuneo: Limone about 26 km, Prato Nevoso about 43 km, San Giacomo di Roburent about 45 km.
• From Milan: Macugnaga about 144 km, Alagna about 150 km.

• Families with children: Bardonecchia (easy slopes, train, free town bus), Prato Nevoso (ski schools and snow playground), Montgenèvre (Famille Plus label).
• Strong skiers: Sestriere and the Via Lattea for mileage, Alagna for freeride.
• Without a car: Bardonecchia (train to the village), Sauze d’Oulx (train to Oulx, then bus), Limone Piemonte (train from Cuneo and Ventimiglia).
• On a budget: San Giacomo di Roburent and the Cuneo resorts, where day passes last season cost much less than in the Via Lattea.
• Nature and quiet: Macugnaga, the Valle Maira and the Walser villages around Monte Rosa.
• Culture and day trips: the Susa Valley, with abbeys, forts and Roman Susa.

• Skiing the Via Lattea: Sestriere for ski-in/ski-out at altitude; Sauze d’Oulx for tree runs and après-ski; Cesana and Claviere to ski into France; Pragelato for cross-country and quiet.
• Families: Bardonecchia, a large village with year-round services; Prato Nevoso, built around the slopes.
• Without a car: Bardonecchia and Oulx, near the station.
• Cuneo area: Limone for skiing and hiking; Mondovì to mix mountains and town.
• Monte Rosa: Alagna for skiing and mountaineering, Macugnaga for hiking.

You will find hotels, residences, apartments, mountain huts and campsites. Book early for Christmas, February and August.

By plane

The main airport is Turin Caselle, about 95 km from Bardonecchia; the transfer to Sauze d’Oulx takes about an hour and a half. For Monte Rosa, Milan Malpensa is closer (about 100 km to Alagna, 107 km to Macugnaga). For Limone, Nice is about 110 km through the Tende tunnel.

By train

On the Turin–Modane line, regional trains run to Oulx (gateway to the Via Lattea) and Bardonecchia; TGV and Frecciarossa trains Paris–Lyon–Milan also stop at Oulx. From Oulx, buses go to Sauze, Cesana, Claviere and Sestriere, and the French ZOU! 76 line to Montgenèvre and Briançon. Limone is on the Cuneo–Ventimiglia railway; for Prato Nevoso and San Giacomo use Mondovì or Ceva stations. For Alagna there has been no train to Varallo since 2014: take a bus from Novara or Vercelli. For Macugnaga, train to Domodossola, then bus.

By car

A32 motorway from Turin to Oulx (Sauze, Sestriere, Cesana, Claviere, Montgenèvre) or Bardonecchia. A6 Turin–Savona, exit Mondovì, for Prato Nevoso and San Giacomo; for Limone go via Cuneo and the SS20. For Alagna, A4 or A26 to the Romagnano Sesia–Ghemme exit, then the Valsesia road; for Macugnaga, A26 and the Simplon road to Piedimulera. From France: Montgenèvre pass (open all year), Fréjus tunnel or Tende tunnel. The Tende tunnel is closed until 29 October 2026, with reopening planned for 30 October, single-lane alternating traffic and limited hours: check before you go. Winter tyres or chains are required in winter.