anyone been to sestriere

Hi, im off to sestriere 2nd week of feb various reports on the amount of snow, can anyone tell me what the conditions are really like at the moment and whats it like for kids taking my 2 boys (8&11)for there first skiing holiday, cheers!.

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Sestriere

I am off to Sauze on 24th Feb, its a short hope over the mountain between resorts. Last year, Sestriere struggled with snow mid March when I was there, but there was still tons of skiing to be done, as its generally colder and better snow that Sauze.
However, you ought to take advantage of the Milky Way pass and go across to Sauze for a day at least, Sansicario if its open, and definitely take a coach trip over to Montgenevre.

There is a heavy dump of snow forecast over the next few days, and they had a lot of snow already, although it can be weeks between dumps over there.

It was minus 18 on the top lift in Sauze mid March last year, so dont worry. You'll love the area. Sestriere is more technically demanding than Sauze, but if its long cruising runs you like, Sauze is your place. MontG is also lovely and has loads more snow traditionally, and they also sometimes do a day trip to Serre Chevalier, which I would love to go to.

Enjoy!

i've been to Sauz twice (01 & 03) and was able to drop down into Sestriere and found the skiing to be very good. Sestriere slopes larger and more open than Sauz, but if you go to one, make sure you do them all!! Tony mentioned Serre Che which i did a one day trip to from 2 Alpes last year and am going there for the week commence 2nd Feb - if you get the chance to visit there (Serre Che), do go - snows great and the people are so friendly!! Sure you gonna have great time in all the snow!! :D

I have been going to Sestriere every year for 20 years (that i can remember). The snow is fantastic at the moment. In fact the best I have ever seen. There is a 1.5m carpet of snow in front of our balcony... And it is snowing right now and will not stop much until next weekend... Temperatures vary but it's not unusual to have -11 at night and be around -2 and 0 during the day (which is perfect for skying). For kids there are a few good beginner and intermediate slopes; the real fun however is when you go onto the higher ones (Banchetta, Nube d'Argento etc) and you can sky the whole MilkyWay with the same pass. The Sky schools (there are a few) have many courses for kids, which might be fun.

Wow, thats a long bump.
I must look into this skying lark, sounds fun.

Seriously, Sestriere is a good place to ski, but I'd stop in Sauze every time and ski over. Sorry, sky over.

i went to sauze a few years ago late in the season and because the snow wasnt too good the first few days ended up in sestriere and thoroughly enjoyed it.good for all abilities including me, who goes down the pistes backwards on their bum(ie beginners).been to sauze and montgenevre. enjoyed all.

I am going to Sestriere on Sunday 22nd March. Anyone got any advice on ski hire? I have boots but should I do the ski hire on line before I go or will the discounts be the same in the shops? Thanks

You'll get better discounts booking online before you go probably. Its not expensive to hire out there, expect to pay around £70 a week for skis and boots.