Sauze d'Oulx, Italy

Tony H from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Myself and a mate went on a last minute cheapy, booked 3 days before departure in March 2007. We had to fly from Manchester as part of the deal, hardly on our doorstep (Peterborough) but possibly the best UK departure airport experience I have had!!! Flight was delayed because of high winds, but only an hour or so, and then they couldn't shut one of the doors and had to find a new nut and bolt to fit - Star Alliance airlines, chartered to BMI. Only a little A320 airbus. Needless to say, it got blown about on take off, but after the initial 15 minutes of violence, the flight to Turin was fine.
Lots of snow over Switzerland, contrary to reports, Turin airport was actually warm and sunny. Around 20c, not good when you want to ski!
The airport is badly organised - bags from UK flights appearing all over the place, skis and boots on the wrong carousel too. Crystal rep got cheeky with everyone and threatened to leave people behind who had not got luggage, and asked those who hadn't to get on the bus and they would send it on - yeah, right! We were with Panorama (Airtours) booked through skideals.co.uk - £129 for a weeks half board. I wasn't expecting much for that, apart from somewhere to sleep to be honest. You cant fly to Turin on a Sunday for less than that!
Transfer to Sauze took about 90 minutes, the resort was hot and sunny when we arrived. Headed out for a beer, and had to sit in T shirts and roll jeans up, it was so warm!
Luckily we had our own skis and boots, as the rental shops in general didn't look good. Lots of old and damaged skis, worn out boots, but mainly because there hadn't been much snow this season. Short walk from where buses drop you to the main square. We were in Hotel Sportinia. For £129, you can't complain, but had I paid full price, I would be quite upset. The receptionist got arrested for doing drugs and turned out to be an illegal immigrant from Brazil, the bedrooms were large but basic, but adequate for a nights sleep, but the place was run by a Romanian family of gypsies, who were neither trusting nor friendly. Very strange people indeed. Food was ok, edible, but not very filling, and we often ended up eating up in town later on as well.
Found Paddy McGintys and stayed there first evening and every other evening. It's a fun place, good natured, always something going on, god pint of Peroni, and H who runs it is welcoming.
Next morning, it was minus 10! Sudden change in temp is common up here apparently. Headed up Clotes lift, no sign of any snow until we reached the top, where the pistes were all groomed with some real and some fake snow, but the actual skiing conditions were excellent - lots of long open cruising runs, and we had the best weeks skiing ever.
Roca Nere restaurant at the Sportinia is the place to eat; friendly family run bar.
We headed over the 1 man chair to Sestriere, good day out there, and took a day bus trip to Montgenevre - highly recommended, where we did off-piste and skied a river bed too.
Sauze is fun, and the skiing is good. Italian accommodations is renowned for being basic, but the people, food and nightlife make up for it.
Go here for good skiing and good fun.

2007-12-20