Sauze D'Oulx as a first skiing holiday

Thought this may be helpful to anyone considering a trip to Sauze D’Oulx, particularly as a first skiing holiday…
We went to Sauze at the beginning of January 2008 and apart from an hour on a dry ski slope we were complete beginners. I’ll admit that after reading a couple of reviews on the resort I was a bit worried as many said ‘not for beginners’ and ‘lively aprés ski’ (despite being in my 20s, I like my sleep!).
However, we needn’t to have worried as Sauze was everything we’d hoped for from our first skiing holiday and more. We were told by several people that we had the best conditions seen in ages and I can easily believe it. The snow conditions were perfect all week (with at least 3 new snowfalls) and made learning to ski a lot easier.

Like Larey (‘Sauze D’Oulx Great Week’) we went to ski school and had Corado as an instructor. I can’t speak highly enough of him and he had us happily tackling red runs a few days into our holiday.
It seems that there is a ‘Kamikaze’ in every group as we had one too ) Unfortunately, ours really lived up to her name and seemed to have a death wish not just for herself but for the rest of the group too. It’s a little scary when someone who you know has a limited ability to turn points their skis straight at you and just goes…I’m amazed she made it through the week in one piece!
We found the group lesson format to be really good for a first holiday and made lots of friends who we went skiing with in the afternoons. One of our group also had a private lesson with Corado (as she was finding parallel skiing a little bit tougher than the rest of us following a bad fall) and her skiing came on leaps and bounds, as did her confidence. The race at the end of the week was also good fun, particularly for my husband who won it! Not that I’m competitive or anything, but I’m determined to beat him next year :D
We enjoyed the challenge of the steeper slopes, however I would guess if you are really having trouble finding your ski legs the lack of wider green and blue runs could be a problem, particularly if you are going it alone without an instructor (with ski school everyone managed fine as there are easier ways down, you just have to know where you’re going!)
The signposting on the runs could be better, although never having been to another resort I can’t really compare. We got lost a couple of times, but generally there was a friendly instructor to point us in the right direction (at least on the runs we were on.)

We stayed at the Hotel Gran Baita and can wholeheartedly agree with all the nice things people have said about it. The food is superb and it really is a struggle not to eat too much! The staff were all really friendly and helpful and kept me provided with copious amounts of ice when I twisted my knee. Luckily, I didn’t miss any skiing because of it (combination of a knee support, Ibuprofen and a very high pain threshold!)
I particularly liked the lounge area in the hotel, with the lovely log fire – it was really nice to sit round it on an evening and chat to the other guests. (After a full day’s skiing, we were too shattered to enjoy the après ski!)
The hotel is in the centre of Sauze but down a side street so you are close to the bars but far enough back to have a quiet night if you want to. The ski bus stop is at the end of the road and we used this all week not fancying the uphill walk to the Sportinia lift, which I guess would take about 15 mins. The bus pass was €5 for the week and there was usually a bus when we wanted one. Clotes is easily walkable. We also used the ski deposit at the top of Sportinia, which was pricey for what it was but worth it for us this time. We didn’t want to risk injury to us or anyone else on the motorway back to the village as we were told that it can get very busy and is steep in places (not a good combination for two tired novices.)

I can’t comment on the bars and restaurants in Sauze as we didn’t use them however the restaurant on the right at the top of the Sportinia lift was great for lunch. For all other things Sauze related, I can recommend www.sauzeonline.com (may have been mentioned before by other people, but well worth a look.)

We’ve spent weeks looking at just about every ski resort going for our next holiday and have decided that we really can’t beat Sauze for convenience (we can fly from Newcastle which isn’t the case for a lot of resorts), value for money and excellent skiing. We will be going back for a fortnight in January 2009 (putting in a special request for Corado for our lessons) and can’t wait :-)
I just wish we were going sooner, as after an hour on the slopes I knew I’d well and truly got the skiing bug (and I can tell from the people on this website that once you’ve got it, it’s not possible to get it out of your system – not that you’d want to of course….!)

Great report Lynn, glad you had a good time. I have been twice in the past 2 seasons, and we werent as lucky as you with the snow, but still had a great time. You may have read some of my posts before on Sauze. Its not regarded as great for beginners as most of the mountain is classified as red runs, although to be honest many of them would be blue in other places. They are lovely and wide and only steep in places. If you have had a year and are now parrellel turning, your next trip will be brilliant as its a lovely place to cruise around and work on your technique.

Friends of mine stopped at the Gran Baita, and they agreed with you about it, sounds like a good spot. I stayed at the Hotel Sauze, which whilst it was almost at the end of the piste, wasnt as nice a place in terms of ambience or quality, but it made for a good base.

I like Sauze a lot, and would gladly go back again, but I want to explore a lot of other places as well. When you go back, and you feel confident enough to do so, take the link over to Sestriere (you can do it on lifts most of the way anyway). Dont be put off by the grading of the reds, as most would be passable for early intermediates to be honest, with a little care of course! You get a real feeling of travel when you go across there, and there are some lovely slopes both up Monte Motta, where the Olympic Banchetta run is, and further over to the right as well, nearer the Olympic village.

As for the cafe up at Sportinia, we always ate at the one right at the foot of the old 2 man lifts, its called Roce Nere. Good food and drink, nice friendly people.

I hope you enjoy your return. Its always nice to hear about people who feel the same way about somewhere as you do.

Hi Tony and thanks for your reply. With going for a fortnight this time we were planning the first week in ski school to improve our technique (and get used to the new skis and boots) and then use the second week to go exploring. It’s nice to know that the trip to Sestriere shouldn’t be an impossible challenge as we were a bit concerned about pushing ourselves beyond our capabilities. Did you go over to Sansicario by any chance, and if so, what did you think?
We may also consider a trip to Montgenèvre for the day as I believe the tour operators run a coach transfer on certain days (for a small fee...)
Will have to give the other café a go too and see how it compares )

Lynn_D wrote:Hi Tony and thanks for your reply. With going for a fortnight this time we were planning the first week in ski school to improve our technique (and get used to the new skis and boots) and then use the second week to go exploring. It’s nice to know that the trip to Sestriere shouldn’t be an impossible challenge as we were a bit concerned about pushing ourselves beyond our capabilities. Did you go over to Sansicario by any chance, and if so, what did you think?
We may also consider a trip to Montgenèvre for the day as I believe the tour operators run a coach transfer on certain days (for a small fee...)
Will have to give the other café a go too and see how it compares )

Lynn, we didnt get to Sansicario as the snow wasnt good enough, but there are some good but more challenging runs down there. I would stick to Sestriere and Sauze if I were you.

Yes, do the day trip to MontG, I have done it both times, its about 20 euros for the day on an orgniased bus trip and the skiing over there is lovely, and theres loads for beginners and timid intermediates.

For a good time in Sauze, go to Ghost Bar near the bottom of the piste, Paddy McGintys further down the hill, Lounge Bar on the square, and the Queens Head on the square further down, underneath the Hotel Relais des Alpes.

Any chance of squeezing me in your case???????

Any chance of squeezing me in your case???????