What time do the lifts open at Sestriere/Milkyway

We are staying at sestriere but the ski lessons are about half the price in Sauze for a small group if you start at 9am-10am.I'm not sure what time the lifts start and if we could ski down in time
http://www.prenotailtuomaestro.it/en/prenota/step/1/
thanks

9 from memory

Yes 9 am

My mate learned to ski in Sauze d'Oulx. The lessons began in the Sportinia bowl. Depending on where you are staying in Sestriere you would be looking at taking the Basset or Fraiteve gondola. You would need to be up at the crack o' sparrowfart to be at the front of the queue for either. It looks like a simpler affair to ski down to Sportinia from the Basset although you should be able to do it from the Fraiteve within the hour. Of course, all of this assumes that you are not beginners, in which case you would be better off packing a few more Euros and booking your lessons in Sestriere. :thumbup:

Hope this helps.

We were skiing reds in Pas des la casa so i guess we are intermediates??

I'm not sure if the lesson starts at 9am or between 9-10am ,we would never get there for 9 am but saying that how would anyone get there for 9am if the lift dont open until 9am.

There a big difference in price for a 2hour private lesson for 4 people
Sestriere = 170 Euros
Sauze = 110 euro or 9am offer 90 Euros

wasley wrote:We were skiing reds in Pas des la casa so i guess we are intermediates??

I'm not sure if the lesson starts at 9am or between 9-10am ,we would never get there for 9 am but saying that how would anyone get there for 9am if the lift dont open until 9am.

There a big difference in price for a 2hour private lesson for 4 people
Sestriere = 170 Euros
Sauze = 110 euro or 9am offer 90 Euros

Good point! I suppose the answer is that people coming up from Sauze d'Oulx only have to make the short ride up in the Clotes chair-lift. Anyone at the front of the queue for that lift would be getting off it at 9:05. The other thing to bear in mind is that this is Italy we're talking about. Everything regarding timing and punctuality is a little bit 'free and easy' -) .

The skiing down to Sportinia won't be a problem for you so it just remains to be seen if you can negotiate a later start; one nearer to the 10 o'clock side of your 9-10 window. Again, it being Italy, I shouldn't think there'll be a problem as long as you pre-arrange it. Best not to p!$$ your instructor off on the first morning or he might take you straight to the FIS Men's Downhill piste at Sansicario for your first run of the day -) .

I disagree with gaz here, have lessons in sauze as the slopes are quieter and it won't take you an hour compared to sestriere.

From memory, ski schools meet at the sportinia lift and then go up together? If not, it's at the top of the sportinia lift on the plateau.

wasley wrote:We were skiing reds in Pas des la casa so i guess we are intermediates??

I'm not sure if the lesson starts at 9am or between 9-10am ,we would never get there for 9 am but saying that how would anyone get there for 9am if the lift dont open until 9am.

There a big difference in price for a 2hour private lesson for 4 people
Sestriere = 170 Euros
Sauze = 110 euro or 9am offer 90 Euros

We were there 3rd week in March about six years ago. Didn't notice a huge difference in 'traffic' on the slopes between Sauze and Sestriere that particular week, but it may be an issue at other times. It looks as though it would be better to go with Tony's suggestion and have lessons in Sauze on the grounds of cost alone. Besides, if there are four people in your group then the difference between the normal rate and the 'early bird' rate is only 5€ per person. Must admit, I'm a little puzzled as to why the lessons are so much more expensive in Sestriere :?: .