Skiing on a budget? Then check out............
Skiing on a budget? Then check out Sauze d’OuIx in Italy.
Some of us simply love skiing and cannot wait to get our next hit (even if that does mean lowering the bank balance and swapping the idea of decorating our front rooms for a ski holiday instead!). And who can blame us? Skiing offers a range of people a huge amount of fun, thrills and adrenaline!
Whether you are skiing on a budget because you’re the ultimate ski junkie and a little strapped for cash or are a first-time skier wanting to dip your toe in the water, then the Sauze d’OuIx ski resort in Italy is definitely the ski resort for you.
Sauze d’OuIx offers sun, skiing, après ski and fun, all at a fraction of the cost of its French competitors!
Sauze d’OuIx, Italy
If your fairly familiar with ski resorts and their individual reputation, you’ll think back to the 1980's when Sauze d'Oulx was known as being Benidorm on snow with the accompanying behaviour. This would undoubtedly have put many skiers off choosing the resort for their budget ski holiday.
However, we are a long, long way from the 1980’s and the atmosphere at Sauze d’OuIx could not be further away from a snowy Benidorm. In fact, the Sauze d’OuIx resort has a true, classic Italian feel to it, particularly at the weekends when keen skiers from Turin arrive.
The Town
Although the resort has grown to have more of a sporting feel, the town centre still has a range of bars and clubs that cater adequately for the UK après ski market. Nowadays, however, the location offers a little more class. The village centre is attractive, but does become much less aesthetically appealing as you get closer to the outskirts.
If you like keeping fit, you’ll choose the steep uphill walk from the accommodation to the main parts of the town which are served by the Clotes chair or the Sportina. However, there is also a resort bus service that that is free with the lift pass that can get you to the town.
Skiing in Sauze d’OuIx
The Sauze d’OuIx ski area provides excellent intermediate skiing with some really lovely cruisy runs that really do suit all levels of intermediate skiers. What’s more, during the week the slopes are fairly quiet and offer intermediates an extensive choice of runs with very few crowds.
The large amount of terrain combined with the full area pass, allows skiers to have a real adventure. Often referred to as the ‘Milky Way’, skiers can explore the western fringes of the ski area in the resorts of Sansicario and Claviere, as well as make the most of the links into the French resort of Montgenevre.
If we’re honest, here at Snowfinders, we think that there are better resorts for beginner skiers. However, the nursery ski area above the town can be reached by the Sportina lift and has a moving carpet, and a reasonable beginners ski area.
For experts, you’ll enjoy the off-piste challenges in the Milky Way, but should only ever attempt off-piste runs with a local guide and the correct equipment.
Après Ski
The elements of the party scene have not all disappeared from Sauze d’OuIx but have definitely become classier. As a result, the Sauze d’OuIx offers excellent après ski. What’s more, budget skiers should take into account that Italy offers much better value for money than a lot of the large well known French and Austrian resorts, which means a night out is going to be much (much!) cheaper!
