
Via Lattea (the “Milky Way”) Map Download 👇
Via Lattea (the “Milky Way”) Ski Map
Via Lattea (the “Milky Way”) is one of Europe’s largest and most exciting cross-border ski areas, linking Italy and France into a vast, interconnected playground. Stretching across multiple valleys in the Italian Alps and into the French resort of Montgenèvre, it offers an incredible variety of terrain—from high-altitude cruising to long, scenic runs that seem to go on forever. It’s the kind of place where you can ski for days and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface.
What makes Via Lattea so special is its scale and diversity. Beginners can enjoy wide, forgiving slopes around resorts like Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx, while intermediates get access to huge networks of linked pistes that make long-distance skiing easy and fun. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will find steeper challenges, off-piste options, and high-altitude terrain with spectacular views. Add in the unique ability to ski between two countries in a single day, and it becomes a truly memorable Alpine experience.
Total Ski Area: 400 km / 249 miles
Base Elevation: 1,372 m / 4,501 ft
Peak Elevation: 2,789 m / 9,150 ft
Difficulty:
🟦 24% Easy
🟥 55% Intermediate
⬛ 21% Advanced
Ski Season Length and Dates
Typically the ski season runs from late November – early April (conditions permitting).
Is it good for beginners?
Yes – Via Lattea is good for beginners, especially around Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx, where there are wide nursery slopes, gentle cruising runs, and excellent ski schools. However, the full area is vast, so beginners may want to stay within the easier-linked sectors.
The Via Lattea ski pass covers the entire Milky Way ski network, meaning you do not need separate passes for individual resorts. One pass gives you access to all linked areas across both Italy and France, making it easy to explore the entire region freely. Smaller, limited-area passes are sometimes available, but most visitors choose the full-area pass for maximum flexibility.
What’s included in the Ski Pass?
The standard Via Lattea ski pass includes full access to the entire interconnected ski region.
- Full access to all Via Lattea ski resorts
- Includes multiple linked resorts:
- Sestriere
- Sauze d’Oulx
- Sansicario
- Cesana
- Claviere
- Pragelato
- Montgenèvre (France)
- Seamless cross-border skiing between Italy and France
- Access to 400 km of linked pistes under one pass
- Lift system connecting all main valleys and resort hubs
- Option for localised passes (limited resort access, cheaper but restricted)
- Full-area pass recommended for maximum variety and cross-border skiing
Ski Pass Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Ski Area Access | Yes – full Via Lattea network |
| Countries Covered | Italy + France |
| Main Resorts Included | Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, Sansicario, Claviere, Pragelato, Cesana, Montgenèvre |
| Ski Area Size | 400 km / 249 miles |
| Full Access Pass Required | Yes for entire region |
| Local Pass Options | Yes – limited resort passes available |
| Best Option for Beginners | Local sector passes (Sestriere/Sauze d’Oulx) |
| Best Option for Exploration | Full Via Lattea pass |