Milkyway Ski Area

skidaddle wrote:I got the cold on the penultimate evening Tony.

As you well know. :evil:

I know, I skied the last day alone whilst you romped with the Heineken bottle

We've visited Sauze twice. I loved it. The first time we stayed in the Hermitage. It was a lovely hotel, right on the base of the slope as it comes back into town. Our room had a massive balcony overlooking the slope. It's also right next to one of the chairlifts. The staff were nice and friendly and drinks were a decent price. The food was lovely. I can't fault it really. The ski bus stopped outside if you didn't want to climb the hill to the other chairlift. We booked with one of the tour companies as a group. Sorry, I'm not sure which one. We did stay there 3 years ago so things may have changed. If I was going to Sauze again I'd definitely stay there. the place we stayed the next year wasn't anywhere near as nice :-(

http://www.sauzedoulx.org/360_hermitage_en.htm

Ah yes, we spotted that as we skied back into town each day. Great position, right opposite the clotes lift which is the best lift for non beginners.
We were about 100m away, and mates stopped in the Splended which is directly opposite but just above the lift so they could clip into their bindings at the hotel and slide into the lift.
I think several tour ops use the Hermitage. I'd also recommend the one above the Scotch Bar, cant remember its name. Saviola Diabli or something?

Hiya,

I can strongly recommend Sauze. The skiing not just in Sauze, but in Sansicario, and Sestriere will mean you do not get bored of the same runs during your hols.

Im going back on the 27th Dec, and it will be my 7th time in recent years. Im staying at the Splendid, which allows you to drop down onto the Clotes lift, meaning you dont need to bother with ski lockers etc. On return at the end of the day, you can virtually ski to the door of the hotel. The facilities are also second to none, with the only downside being the 'hill' you have to get back up at the end of the day!

The drags are few and far between, but if required are fast and easy to use.

Nightlife is varied,and there are plenty of places to eat out!

Im sure you would enjoy it.

If you can put up with a five minute walk (or bus ride) to the lift, then I can thoroughly recommend the Hotel Gran Baita in Sauze. Excellent food, friendly staff and a great location just off the main square. There is the option to stay up at Sportinia (which is ski to door), however you are limited for nightlife as getting back to the hotel when the lifts are closed would be pricey (and probably not easy to arrange.)

With regard to drag lifts, the ones in the bowl (needed on the link back from Sestriere) are being replaced with a chair for this coming season (I think) and the only others I used were in the Moncrons area (which was fabulous, but deserted when I was there and often closed so probably not worth their while to replace them.)

The only downsides to stopping in Sauze are the erratic snow record (last year being a notable exception) and the fact that the piste map and signposting are useless. However, if you are intermediates then even if you do get lost, I'd be surprised if you end up on anything that is beyond you (in Sauze at least) as I don't remember many of the runs (mostly reds) being particularly taxing (and I'd only had 1 week of lessons prior to my last trip.)

I'm seriously considering going back myself in March, however as my garage roof has developed a major leak that needs fixing pronto, I'm going to have to see how much that costs before making a decision. :(

Have fun wherever you decide to go :D

All this talk of Sauze makes me want to go back again :(

Could you arrange a day trip from Serre Chevalier, or is it not worth it with all the skiing available there?

Lynn_D wrote:Could you arrange a day trip from Serre Chevalier, or is it not worth it with all the skiing available there?

Now that is a seriously good idea. I believe I get a days free skiing in Monrgenevre on my pass, so maybe that extends to Sauze too?

I was thinking more along the lines of waiting until theres a heavy snowfall and zipping off on a late deal.....

Heres a couple of images of Sauze, if they are helpful for those thinking of going: