Where is the Vialattea, Italy?

Via Lattea (Milky Way or Voie Lactee) is conveniently located in the Val di Susa, Piedmont region, 79km west of Turin in Italy.

The Via Lattea ski resort is 86km by motorway west of Turin. Paris is a mere 4½ - 5hr away by TGV fast train. From the centre of Turin, the ski area is only 1½hr by local train, than a short bus ride to the slopes at Sauze d'Oulx.

The Vialattea gateway town is Oulx, one hour by car from Turin via the E70 motorway. Oulx also has a major train & bus station with direct links to all parts of the Vialattea ski region and nearby Briançon in France (part of the excellent Serre Chevalier ski resort).

To POW (Protect Our Winters) rail is the recommended mode of travel to the Via Lattea via Oulx or Briancon.

Flights to the Via Lattea

The best international gateway airports to the Vialattea for travellers from non-European destinations are Milan Malpensa (MXP) & Lyon St Exupery (LYS), or given the train links, even Geneva (GVA) & Paris (CDG). If flying to the Milky Way from the UK, Scandinavia or mainland Europe, airports at Turin, or at a stretch, Chambery in France can provide quick access to the ski resort.

Search & book here for flights to any European airport.

Private Transfers

The Powderhounds recommend taking the train to Oulx. However, if post covid-19 public transport travel worries you, you are in a larger group of 3+ people or just have the cash to splash, the quickest way to the Milky Way from the airports is a private transfer.

Search & book here for a private transfer to the Via Lattea ski resorts of Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Cesana, Sansicario, Claviere or Montgenevre .

Train Travel to Oulx & the Via Lattea

The main Vialattea train station at Oulx is 6km down valley from the ski lifts at Sauze d'Oulx. The station is conveniently located on the Paris-Lyon-Turin-Milan TGV line. The TGV trains stop at Oulx at least 3 times a day. Local trains link to Bardonecchia & Turin. Buses are waiting at Oulx train station to take rail passengers swiftly to all villages in the Via Lattea, including Sauze d'Oulx. Sestriere & Montgenevre (via Cesana & Claviere).

Search & book train transport from Paris, Lyon, Turin & Milan to Oulx . Purchase bus tickets to the ski resort villages from the driver when boarding at Oulx Stazione.

Driving to the Via Lattea

By car the quickest access to the Via Lattea is from Turin via the E70 motorway (autostrade - toll road) to Oulx. Travel time is 1hr. For a more scenic route, one can also take the A55/SP23 road from Turin via Pinerolo to Sestriere. Travel time is similar to Sestriere, but longer to Cesana, Oulx or Claviere.

The Milky Way can also be reached through southern France via Briancon to Montgenevre. From the west through the Frejus Tunnel (with its costly toll) from the Maurienne valley via Bardonecchia is the preferred direction if coming from France or Switzerland.

For hints, tips & warnings about driving to Italian ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Italy page.

Car Rental

If you require a rental car, they are available from all airports, major train stations & towns. The closest car rental outlets to the Via Lattea are in Briancon, Turin & Grenoble or Albertville. Major cities & airports have a wider range better availability. Be aware that many vehicles rented out of Turin (and Italy in general) will not have snow tyres or any winterisation. Plus, it can be a nightmare of a drive out of the city! Ensure they at least have snow chains & are preferably AWD or 4WD.

Search & book here for all rental cars.

Nearby Ski Resorts

A Powderhounds secret stash called Prali is a tantalising option in a secluded valley to the south east between Sestriere & Pinerolo. Bardonecchia ski resort on the French border towards the Maurienne valley is only a 12min train ride from Oulx.

In France, via the Montgenevre ski resort and near the town of Briancon,Serre Chevalier is well worth a visit (as is the sensational old town & fort in Briancon). Further afield, the freeride mecca of La Grave is a short drive from Briancon. Through the Frejus tunnel, the Haute Maurienne resorts of La Norma etc are fantastic for another week of adventure.