The official data from Tourist Promotional Agency states 53 ski resorts in Piemonte ( Piedmont), and although many of them are relatively small ones,
the area around Torino features marvelous slopes suitable for hosting Winter Olympic Games in 2006.
Most of the Olympic venues were located in the ski area Vialattea ( Milky Way ) between Susa and Chisone Valleys.
Alpine skiing has been held on the best slopes of the area in Sestriere, the ski resort established in 1930's for Italians upper class, with famous tower hotels built by Agnelli family.
Located several miles from Sestriere, Pragelato features the Olympic ski jump and runs for Nordic and Cross-Country skiing, while 'over the hill' Sauze d'Oulx, which hosted freestyle competitions.
Cesana-Sansicario via Monti della Luna zone is lift connected with Claviere on the French-Italian border.
The joint skipass allows to ski in Vialattea and French Montgenevre, which, snow permits has the direct connection with Claviere.
Reaching the slopes on the French side from Claviere takes some time, but definitely worth doing it, especially when skiing in Montgenevere can be combined with visiting nearby medieval town Briancon.
The total length of the slopes of Milky Way with Montgenevre counts 400 km of the slopes served by 88 lifts.
Vialattea can be easy reached from Torino by local bus, or by the train Torino - Oulx, which is located on an international rail line connecting Torino with Paris.
On the same line, just before the tunnel Traforo del Frejus near the border with France there is another train station - Bardonecchia giving the access to the skiarea of the same name, featuring 110 km of the regular slopes, off-piste skiing zones and snowpark, which hosted the new olympic competition Snowboard-Cross specialty.
The ski resort Chiomonte Pian del Frais is built around the small village north of historical town Susa, and offers modern facilities for downhill skiing, snowshoes walks and cross-country trails.
Another small village with silent Alpine chalets in the sunny valley , but with miles of downhill slopes and cross-country trails is Prali in Valle Chisone.
Valle Cuneo near the airport Torino-Levaldigi boasts 19 ski resorts from the big ones, like Limone and Artesina through the middle ones ( Pratonevoso ) to the small. but cosy ( Entracque ).
Numerous small ski resorts are located in the Alps bordering with Valle d'Aosta region , including Groscavallo and Ceresole Reale ( Gran Paradiso ), and situated around 3000 m a.s.l. resorts in Alagna and Macugnana ( Monte Rosa ).
