Sauze d'Oulx Ski Resort Italy
There is some wonderful skiing at Oulx (or more accurately Sauze d'Oulx). The old town of Oulx (pronounced 'oohlz' - sort of!) is a treat to stay in. Tree skiing and general off-piste is excellent, plus freshies can be had days after the last snowfall as most visitors here here seem to stick to the groomers. Snow quality is excellent as all the resort is above 1,500m and snowfall in this region is reliable.
Sauze d'Oulx ski resort's lift and piste links to the broader Via Lattea give a huge amount of scope to explore. The daily lift pass price for Sauze d'Oulx and all the Italian Via Lattea skiing is exceptional value by world standards and easily the best value for a large-scale ski area in Western Europe. No self-respecting Powderhound will regret a mid-week trip to Sauze d’Oulx.
Pros & Cons for Sauze d'Oulx Ski Resort
Pros
- Western Europe's best value daily ski lift pass price.
- Fabulous range of intermediate piste trails;
- Fresh powder for days after a snowfall.
- Superb tree skiing in larch forests.
- Easy travel access via the TGV train from Milan, Turin, Lyon, or Paris.
- Interconnected with the huge Via Lattea ski area.
- Numerous ski-in accommodation options.
- Oulx old town is nearby & a lovely place to stay
Cons
- Dated & inadequate lift infrastructure.
- Relatively poor beginner facilities & terrain.
- General dilapidated feel.
Pro or Con (depending on your point of view!)
- Few high-end accommodation & restaurant options.
- Limited non-ski activities.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
The skiing and snowboarding at Sauze d’Oulx, particularly the off-piste, is exceptional. Piste trails are mainly intermediate, and quality beginner areas are lacking, but it is the tree skiing & high alpine bowls that make the ski resort a standout. It is easy to link into Sestriere & Sansicario as well.
Check out the ski trail map, only for Sauze d’Oulx, below.
Ski lifts at Sauze d'Oulx are probably the reason for the low lift price. The lift infrastructure is generally quite dated & slow. Lift queues can be horrendous on weekends & peak periods. Some poorly designed piste choke-points and lift exits also let the mountain down. Visit on a weekday & your smile will beam!
Interlinked with Via Lattea
Sauze d’Oulx is but a small portion of the huge Via Lattea interlinked ski region. For a super affordable lift pass price, one can access 305km of ski trails, plus vast swathes of off-piste terrain in neighbouring Sestriere, Cesana-Sansicario & Claviere. For an additional few €, one can access the 95km of ski trails in the excellent Montgenevre ski resort across the border in France. We highly recommend you do!
See here for the Via Lattea ski trail map.
For detailed information on ski lifts, terrain & lift passes, see our Sauze d’Oulx Skiing & Snowboarding page.
Snow & Weather
The Sauze d'Oulx ski slopes are beautifully situated with a predominantly northerly aspect above 1,500m elevation which maintains snow quality throughout the season. Snow making augments mother nature on the main piste trails, guaranteeing skiing from December to April. Late March & April are alleged to be wonderful for spring powder.
Where is Sauze d'Oulx Italy?
Sauze d’Oulx is in the vast Piedmont region, conveniently located in the Val di Susa, 86km west of Turin in Italy. The nearest town to the extensive resort village is Oulx, 5½km down the hill to the west. Gateway airports include Turin (TRN), Milan (MXP), Lyon (LYS) & ;surprisingly because of the direct train to Oulx, Paris (CDG) & Geneva (GVA).
Oulx is not just the Sauze d’Oulx gateway town, but a convenient entry point for the entire Via Lattea's as well. It is only one hour by car from Turin via the E70 motorway.
Oulx has a major train & bus station with direct links to all parts of the ViaLattea ski region and nearby Briancon in France (part of the excellent Serre Chevalier ski resort). It is on the main TGV train line that runs between Paris & Milan (at least 3 trains per day). Oulx is 1½hr by train from Turin's Porta Nuova station (trains every hour) and less than 5hr from Paris.
From Oulx to the ski resort base at Sauze d’Oulx, regular buses and taxis are available from the station or in town. Buses run every 30min and travel time is 15min.
For detailed information on how to get there, see our Travel to Sauze d’Oulx page.
Oulx & Sauze d'Oulx Accommodation
Accommodation at Sauze d’Oulx can be separated into several distinct localities. Below the ski resort and not connected to the ski lifts, the town of Oulx has a newer town near the railway station, plus a charming cobble-stoned old town further up the hill.
From Oulx, up to the ski resort at Sauze d'Oulx, the road becomes lined with a variety of hotels, apartments, and chalets before ending near the Clotes chairlift. The ski resort base area is separated into the lower Jouvenceaux & then Sauze d’Oulx at the top of the road. Within Sauze d’Oulx itself, there is a lovely, old original village sector, surrounded by the relatively newer ski resort developments. Both Jouvenceaux & Sauze d’Oulx are connected to the piste trails by chairlifts.
Search & book here for all Sauze d'Oulx ski accommodation.
It should be clearly stated that the main resort village has a feeling of being trapped well into the last century. Whilst there are numerous excellent, modern & traditional lodgings, the overall village feels dilapidated and a touch downtrodden. It does however represent excellent value, plus has several fun bars clinging on to the good old ways. Sauze d’Oulx lacks ‘high-end’ luxury accommodations. If seeking such, you are probably in the wrong region!
For detailed information & recommendations on the best accommodation in the resort, see our Where to Stay in Sauze d’Oulx page.
[AdListings collection="Europe" category="Italy Via Lattea" subcategory="Oulx Packages"]
Ski Rentals, Guiding & Lessons
Ski rentals are available from our partners in the resort village of Sauze d’Oulx. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Sauze d’Oulx Ski & Snowboard Rental page.
If you need ski or snowboard lessons, or off-piste mountain guiding, compare search & book the best local instructors & guides via our Sauze d'Oulx Ski Lessons & Guiding page.
Reviews
The Powderhounds reviewed Sauze d’Oulx in 2017 & 2020. We had a fabulous time on each visit & rate it highly as the most affordable & least crowded, mega ski resort experience in the Alps (& maybe the world!). We are due to return soon, but then again, we always say that don't we! Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.
See how Sauze d’Oulx & the Via Lattea compares to the rest of the Italian ski resorts on the Italy ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.
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