Via Lattea (Milky Way) Ski Lifts & Lift Passes

Via Lattea Ski Lifts

Overall Via Lattea’s 90 ski lift system is modern and high speed and with an uphill capacity of 90,000 riders per hour, though for some reason they don’t believe in covered chairlifts in this area!

You are unlikely to have to queue for the lifts and the pisted runs are generally well marked, making getting around fairly straightforward, but boarders should be aware that the return connection from Sauze to Sestriere/Sansicario will not be easy for them due to some long steep drag lifts.

Non skiers will generally be allowed on the lower lifts out of the villages without skis, the exception being Claviere where, if you would like to visit the Mon Soleil restaurant, you will need to go on foot!

The ski lifts are open from early December until mid-April.

Via Lattea Ski Lift Passes

The full Via Lattea ski lift pass covers all 90 lifts in the Via Lattea resorts of Sestriere, Sansicario, Sauze d’Oulx, Pragelato, Cesana and Claviere, and also allows a day in the connected French resort of Montgenevre. Cheaper ski lift passes are available for those who intend to ski mainly in the Claviere/ Montgenevre area.

The restricted Claviere area only ski lift pass costs about two thirds of the price of a full lift pass and covers the 9 lifts of Cesana and Claviere. It also allows a full day in Montgenevre, as well as a full day on the wider Via Lattea circuit. Extra days skiing in Montgenevre can be purchased locally for a small supplement.

A one-day ski lift passes are also available and the cost varies depending on which resort you are in, and which ski areas you choose to cover. Beginners can buy point lift passes for individual rides on specific lifts and there are also local, village specific, day passes available in all resorts.

Children under 8 and senior’s (over 75) are entitled to a free ski pass, though to qualify for the free children’s pass, an accompanying adult needs to purchases a pass of the same duration. Children aged 9 and 10 pay a reduced rate. Proof of age will be required for free or reduced rate passes.

All resorts have a centrally placed lift pass office. In Claviere, the Tourist Office sells the lift passes, but if this is closed (which it often seems to be), you can buy your ski lift pass at the wooden hut on the piste!