Today we headed to Italy. Just an hour’s drive from Monêtier-les-Bains, back down the Serre-Chevalier Valley to Briançon and on to the French ski resort of Montgenèvre, which is virtually on the French/Italian border.

We climbed up between the mountain peeks immersed in breathtaking scenery and within minutes we were in Italy. We were surrounded by the Italy’s western Alps, the place where we’d first skied together 42 years earlier!

Sauze d’Oulx

Sauze d’Oulx, was the Italian ski resort where I’d first put on a pair of skis, the beginning of my ‘on and off ‘ love affair with the slopes! Far more importantly, Sauze d’Oulx also hosted part of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games when they were based in Turin 87 km (55 miles) away.

We studied the map of the village, but in all honesty didn’t recall very much.

It was certainly a stunning setting which somehow had also escaped my recollections. When we’d been there, Sauze d’Oulx had been wearing a cloak of white, it’s extensive and majestic views hidden in a veil of low cloud. All I remember is being cold and somewhat intimidated, emboldened by the foolishness of youth, we’d traversed the mountains without lessons and without much success!

We succeeded in finding the place where we had stayed all those years ago, it was considerably smartened up from the scruffy hotel we remembered!

We wound our way through the resort and its’ local streets, most of which was closed for the season.

We were happy to find this charming spot for lunch.

So close to France yet it felt like another world. The vibe and of course the expressiveness and passion of the beautiful Italian language, of which we have few words, it made us feel that we almost speak good French, well sort of!

It’s one of the utter joys of being in Europe, that despite the global ‘village’ we all live in, European countries have retained and still cherish their own distinct traditions. Their unique personalities and character still shine, despite their proximity to each other, I absolutely love it!

Repleted by excellent pizza and local chianti we headed back down the mountain side and headed for our next destination.

Sestriere

Sestriere was also a major host of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and it is still possible to stay in the apartments of the Olympic village built for the occasion.

Personally, the romantic white towers of the Hotel Principi di Piemonte  looked more appealing. It glistened in the sun like a fairy castle beneath the mountains.

Sadly it was also closed but with its excellent ‘ski in ski out’ location we put it on our list!

The ski terrain of Sestriere was impressive especially given that we could only see what was visible from the village.

Sestriere is clearly an expansive resort with seemingly, sundrenched, wide open spaces. We learned it is part of the Vialattea International Ski area which includes Sauze d’Oulx, Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Pragelato, Claviere and French Montgenèvre with 249 slopes (7 green, 80 blue, 120 red and 42 black) and 70 lifts.

On our way back, the lure to stop for photographs was intense. As ever, I wanted to try to capture the dramatic beauty before us, to somehow take it with me. Maybe it’s why I write this blog, to have a record for always, for as long as ‘always’ is, and be able to share such moments of joy with others….

So until tomorrow, when we were set for more explorations and a few unexpected discoveries from history!

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