Turin -> Milan, help?!?!?!

Hi everyone!
This december I'll be in Europe for the first time, and I have a dream of skiing/snowboarding, but I can't find out how everything works.

I'll be in Turin with a car, and will leave to Milan day 27/12, needing to be there only 29/12, so I was hoping I could enjoy day 27 and 28 on a ski resort somewhere between these two cities (I've considered Alagna, Alpe di Mera, Champoluc, and even Airolo in Switzerland... anywhere ;).

I've planned all my Europe trip alone, but I'm finding it too hard to get good information on how to book these 2 days. How to hire ski/snowboard equipment, too many hotels with little information, I don't know if they are near ski pists or not, if I could get a package. Anyway...

I wanted to book a cheap hotel or hostel (3 guests) where I could go try snowboard easily, plus hire equipment, passes and something else that I don't know.

Could someone please help me? I needed some stepping stones for a begginer. =)
Thanks so much in advance!!!
Estêvão.

Ski resorts within 1.5 hours drive of turin:

http://www.goski.co.uk/airports/italy/turin/index.htm

You could try Expedia.co.uk for a one night stay in one of the resorts, here's a link to a search I just did for Sauze d Oulx, if you change the search to some of the other resorts you might find hotels in resort for a night.

http://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotels?action=hotelPackageWizard@searchHotelOnly&packageType=HOTEL_ONLY&hotelPackageWizard_hotelPackageWizardControl_hotelWidgetControl_hotelSearchRegionControl_hotelRegionTypeControl_inpRegionType=CITY&hotelPackageWizard_hotelPackageWizardControl_hotelWidgetControl_hotelSearchRegionControl_cityControl_inpCity=sauze+dOulx&hotelPackageWizard_hotelPackageWizardControl_hotelWidgetControl_dateRangeWidget_inpStartDate=27/12/09&hotelPackageWizard_hotelPackageWizardControl_hotelWidgetControl_dateRangeWidget_inpEndDate=28/12/09&hotelPackageWizard_hotelPackageWizardControl_hotelWidgetControl_roomInputWidget_hotelRoomCountInput=1&hotelPackageWizard_hotelPackageWizardControl_hotelWidgetControl_roomInputWidget_adultCountInput=1&hotelPackageWizard_hotelPackageWizardControl_hotelWidgetControl_roomInputWidget_childCountInput=0&isAdditionOptionExist=0&eapid=0&rfrr=-13019

:D

Hey Snowbandit,

Thanks so much for you answer!

There are so many resorts. Should I only choose one and try to find a spot? Are they all alike for a snowboard try? Or should I look for something more specific? All I check so far is the distance from Turin.

Ok, let's say I simply choose (randomly) one of these "near Turin airport resorts" and book a hotel. I'll arrive there by car and then...
- How will I snowboard there?
- Should I check the equipment and piste rental there in the hotel or I have to do it in advance also? Or there's somewhere specific where I can find this?
- How will I get from the hotel to the snowboard piste? Is it easy to come and go from snowboarding to the hotel? I can snowboard all day?

Sorry about these noob questions, but I really don't know nothing! =)
Thanks once again!

First thing is to find a hotel in a resort that will let you stay for one night. Once you have done that the rest is easy. But lessons, lift passes and equipment hire does not come cheap! Find a resort and accomodation and then look for the resorts main website, or look on j2ski for all the other info you need.

I know nothing about where to snowboard.

Try http://www.wtss.co.uk/

Hi I have been living in Turin for over 20 years The best and cheapest place to ski is Montgenevre in France it's only an hour and 20 mins from turin.a day ski pass is €31.50 you can rent gear in any of the shops there, should be arount €15 for skies and boots ,if you are a beginner you don't need a pass because there is a free ski lift for learners.Check out montgenèvre.com. you might have a prob re place to stay only for 2 nights the same goes for any ski resort.you can get ski pass in the new chalet in front of the slopes.under 6 are free 6-15 yrs pass €20.00 hope you have a good time.

I've had a couple of days skiing on Montgenevre when on day trips from Sauze d'Oulx and its good skiing over there. I wouldnt choose to stay there as its not as nice a town as Sauze and its French (not as nice as Italian IMO) but its good skiing defo.

Hey folks... thanks so much for your help!

I checked montgenevre and sauze d'oulx, and omg, they seem aaaawsome! They have better websites, and they seem to have a better infrastructure for tourists and stuff.

The only problem is that I'm heading towards Milan, and both of these resorts are the oposite way. I mean, I think I would save some hours and gas if the resort was in between Turin and Milan.

Taking that into consideration, do you think I should go there anyway? I've checked Alagna Valsesia, but I don't have as much information as the resorts you indicated. Do you know something about it (or Alpe di Mera, or Champoluc or Airolo in Switzerland)? Or it's better for me to go west and come back anyway?

Hi eamorese,
You mention Alagna - if it were me and I was a beginner I would not go there.

Although it is a fantastic place to ski it is challenging and the lifts are sometimes closed due to strong winds and blizzards (were when we went - never been so cold or disoriented). It was great though! I love that feeling of battling against the elements.

If you are heading that way I think Champoluc or Gressoney may suit you better, but I've never stayed at either of those places.