Travel book · Alpes du Sud

Voie Lactée: 400km of Franco-Italian pistes from Montgenèvre

By the AEC Collection team Updated on 28 May 2026 3 min read

The Voie Lactée (in Italian: Via Lattea) is one of the rare European ski areas to span a national border. On the French side, its sole access point is Montgenèvre, in the Hautes-Alpes, a few kilometres from Briançon. On the Italian side, the area extends across five resorts in Piedmont, an arrangement that defines the singular character of a stay here.

405km of pistes, six resorts, two countries

The figure typically cited is 405km of pistes, of which 315 are in Italy and 85 in France; the asymmetry reflects the size of the Italian resorts within the area. With the recent integration of Bardonnèche through a renewed collaboration agreement, the total reaches 500km, placing Voie Lactée among the world’s largest international ski areas.

The six historic resorts are Montgenèvre in France, then Clavière, Cesana Torinese, Sestrière, San Sicario and Sauze d’Oulx in Italy. Sestrière is arguably the most internationally recognised, being one of the historic resorts of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

Montgenèvre side: an already substantial local area

The Montgenèvre area alone, “Le Grand Montgenèvre”, totals 110km of pistes, spread between 1860m and 2450m altitude. This elevation, high for the southern Alps, combined with varied aspect, affords the local snowfields a season generally longer than comparable southern resorts at similar average altitude.

All levels are represented, from beginner to advanced. It is the daily terrain for skiers who prefer to avoid crossing into Italy regularly.

Italian side: distinctive profile

Sestrière, accessible from Montgenèvre via the lifts and connections of the ski area, presents a markedly different profile: 97 pistes predominantly red and black, with no green runs. It is terrain for accomplished skiers, operating on a radically different principle from Montgenèvre.

Sauze d’Oulx and San Sicario complete the offering with forested massifs and long descents; Clavière often serves as a pivot for border crossings on skis.

Montgenèvre

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Crossing into Italy: what it entails

The crossing from France to Italy is made on skis, via the area’s lifts. This opens access to several hundred additional kilometres, and also to a Piedmontese après-ski experience, dining, Piedmont wines, the ambience of Italian villages, quite distinct from the French après-ski on the Briançon side. For those wishing to experience the entire area, it is advisable to allow at least one full day for a round trip, leaving adequate time for the final lift.

When to visit

The minimum altitude of 1860m on the Montgenèvre side, and peaks at 2450m, offer a snow-quality window that typically spans mid-December to mid-April, with peak season between January and March. February weekends see the greatest crowds; January and the second half of March generally offer the best balance between snow and visitor numbers.

Planning a stay at Montgenèvre

AEC Collection selects and represents quality chalets and apartments at Montgenèvre, positioned within immediate proximity to the Voie Lactée lifts. Cross-border passes and France, Italy connection conditions should be verified with the local tourist office and lift operating companies.