When the mountains change their face
In summer, Alta Val Susa is green.
In autumn, it turns golden and colourful.
In winter, everything changes.
The mountains become white.
The forests are transformed.
The villages are covered in snow.
The roads lead towards the ski resorts.
And the valley takes on that special atmosphere that only a true winter mountain landscape can offer.
But winter in Alta Val Susa is not just about skiing.
It means snow.
Winter walks.
Snowshoeing.
Outdoor sports.
Family time.
Mountain villages.
Mountain huts.
Relaxation.
And, above all, the chance to experience the mountains in many different ways.
Oulx: an ideal base for a winter holiday
La Maison du Coeur is located in Oulx, in the heart of Alta Val Susa.
Its location makes it easy to reach several resorts and villages throughout the valley, allowing you to choose a different experience every day.
A day on the ski slopes.
Another day snowshoeing.
A walk around the village.
A trip to Bardonecchia.
An excursion towards Cesana and Claviere.
A day dedicated to the children.
Or simply a slow day enjoying the snow.
This is one of the things that makes Oulx such an interesting place to stay:
you don’t have to do the same thing every day.
Via Lattea: skiing in the mountains of Alta Val Susa
Alta Val Susa is home to one of the major ski areas in the Western Alps:
Via Lattea – the Milky Way.
It is a vast network of ski resorts including, among others, Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere and Montgenèvre.
For anyone choosing La Maison du Coeur for a winter holiday, being able to reach the slopes of Via Lattea is naturally one of the main reasons to choose this area.
But skiing is only part of the experience.
Discover our guide to Via Lattea
Sauze d’Oulx: snow just a short drive away
Sauze d’Oulx is one of the best-known resorts in Via Lattea.
It is an ideal destination for anyone looking for a holiday centred around skiing and snow.
The slopes offer options for different ability levels, while the village has the traditional atmosphere of an Alpine resort.
From Oulx, Sauze d’Oulx can be reached within a few minutes by car.
This gives you an interesting advantage:
stay in a quieter village and enjoy the ski area each day.
Cesana and Claviere
Cesana and Claviere are also part of the Via Lattea ski area.
Claviere has a particularly special feature: it lies directly on the Italian-French border, allowing you to spend a day skiing between two countries.
The scenery changes.
The mountains become increasingly impressive.
And the proximity of Montgenèvre offers even more possibilities for skiers.
Sestriere: the high-mountain ski resort
Sestriere is one of the symbols of skiing in Piedmont.
Located at high altitude, it is known for its ski slopes, international competitions and its historic role in the development of skiing in the Western Alps.
During a holiday in Alta Val Susa, it is an excellent destination for a full day on the slopes.
Even non-skiers can visit Sestriere to enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere of a high-altitude winter resort.
Bardonecchia: another mountain destination to discover
Bardonecchia lies in a unique position at the western end of the valley.
Winter here offers plenty of opportunities for snow activities and outdoor sports.
It can easily be reached from Oulx for a different day out.
And this is another advantage of staying at La Maison du Coeur:
you don’t have to choose just one resort for your entire holiday.
You can change.
Not everyone comes to the mountains to ski
This is important.
In a family, one person may love skiing while another may have no desire to put on a pair of skis.
And that’s absolutely fine.
Alta Val Susa offers plenty of alternatives.
Winter walks.
Snowshoeing.
Snow activities.
Mountain villages.
Restaurants.
Shops.
Museums.
Forts and historic sites.
Activities for children.
Relaxation.
A mountain holiday can be enjoyable even when everyone in the family has different interests.
Walking in the snow
A simple walk through the snow can become a memorable experience.
You don’t necessarily need to tackle a demanding hike.
You can walk through the village.
Reach a small mountain hamlet.
Follow an easy trail.
Stop to take photographs.
Enjoy the scenery.
Snow changes the way you experience the landscape.
Everything seems quieter.
Slower.
Closer.
Snowshoeing: into the winter forest
For those who want to go beyond simple winter walks, snowshoes offer a wonderful way to explore snowy landscapes away from the ski slopes, when conditions allow.
The forest in winter is completely different.
Summer trails disappear beneath the snow.
The trees become the main characters.
Animal tracks can be easier to spot.
And the silence can be almost absolute.
A snowshoe hike can become one of the most atmospheric experiences of a winter holiday in Alta Val Susa.
Snowshoeing with the family
Snowshoeing can also be a wonderful family activity.
But the route should always be chosen carefully.
Consider:
- the children’s ages;
- distance;
- elevation gain;
- snow conditions;
- temperature;
- weather;
- avalanche risk;
- the group’s experience and fitness.
There is no need to choose a long route.
A short experience enjoyed by everyone is much better than a demanding hike that becomes exhausting.
Snow for children
For a child, snow is already an activity in itself.
You don’t necessarily need ski lifts.
A small hill is enough.
A sled.
A pair of gloves.
And a few hours to spare.
Build a snowman.
Have a snowball fight.
Slide down a slope.
Walk through the snow.
Look for animal tracks.
A mountain holiday can be much simpler than we imagine.
A day with no plans
One of the best things about winter in the mountains is being able to leave some days completely open.
You don’t have to book everything in advance.
You can wake up.
Look out of the window.
See the snow.
And decide.
Skiing?
A walk?
Snowshoes?
A mountain village?
Lunch out?
Relax?
A holiday should leave some room for spontaneity.
Mountain villages in winter
Oulx, Cesana, Claviere, Sauze d’Oulx and the other villages of Alta Val Susa completely change when the snow arrives.
The houses.
The lights.
Snow-covered roofs.
Mountains in the background.
The streets.
The cafés and restaurants.
The evening atmosphere.
Even a simple walk after dinner can become a special part of your holiday.
A day between snow and history
Winter does not erase the history of the valley.
Quite the opposite.
Some places take on an even more fascinating atmosphere.
Historic villages.
Old churches.
Fortifications.
Museums.
Forte Bramafam, for example, offers an experience completely different from a day on the ski slopes.
Winter for photography lovers
Snow transforms the landscape.
The light is different.
The colours become more understated.
A stone house.
A snow-covered roof.
A bell tower.
A forest.
A mountain.
A ski slope.
Even if you’re not a photographer, you can return home with photographs that look completely different from those of a summer holiday.
When should you visit Alta Val Susa in winter?
The winter season offers different experiences depending on the time of year.
December
The Christmas atmosphere can be particularly charming.
The villages get ready for the festive season and, when conditions allow, snow makes everything even more magical.
January
This is one of the classic months of the ski season.
The days are shorter, but the snow and mountains create a true winter atmosphere.
February
It is generally a very popular month, especially during school holidays.
If you are travelling during this period, booking well in advance is recommended.
March
The days become longer.
The light changes.
And at higher altitudes, the ski season can continue.
For many people, it is an especially enjoyable time to experience the mountains in winter.
April
It depends greatly on snow conditions and altitude.
But when there is still plenty of snow at higher elevations, the longer days can make for a particularly enjoyable mountain experience.
The mountains beyond the school holidays
This is worth considering too.
Not everyone needs to visit the mountains during the busiest weeks of the season.
If you can travel outside the peak periods, winter can offer quieter moments.
Less crowded slopes.
Greater availability.
A more relaxed pace.
And the very same mountains.
It can be an excellent option for couples, groups of friends and families with flexible travel dates.
After skiing, coming home
After a day on the slopes, there is a moment that is just as much a part of the holiday as skiing itself.
Coming back.
Taking off your ski boots.
Putting away your equipment.
Having a shower.
Relaxing.
And starting to think about dinner.
Having an apartment as your base gives you more freedom than staying in a traditional hotel room.
A winter week in Oulx
You could imagine a week like this:
Day 1: arrival and a walk around Oulx.
Day 2: skiing in Via Lattea.
Day 3: snowshoeing or a winter walk.
Day 4: another day on the slopes.
Day 5: a visit to Bardonecchia and Forte Bramafam.
Day 6: skiing or a free day.
Day 7: a final walk, lunch and departure.
Of course, this is only an example.
The beauty is that you can change everything.
A holiday for skiers and non-skiers
Imagine a family.
Dad wants to ski.
Mum prefers walking.
The children want to play in the snow.
That doesn’t mean giving up on a mountain holiday.
Everyone can spend the day doing something different.
And then meet up again.
In the evening.
Over dinner.
Sharing what they did that day.
This is one of the reasons why Alta Val Susa is such an appealing destination for families.
La Maison du Coeur in winter
La Maison du Coeur can be your base for experiencing the winter season.
From Oulx, you can reach the main resorts and destinations throughout the valley.
You can ski.
Walk.
Go snowshoeing.
Visit mountain villages.
Discover the area’s history.
Or simply enjoy the snow.
And every evening, come back home.
More than just a ski holiday
The words “ski holiday” immediately make us think of skiing.
But winter in Alta Val Susa can be much more.
It can be a weekend in the snow.
A romantic getaway.
A family holiday.
A ski trip.
A short break.
A photography trip.
A nature holiday.
A combination of outdoor activities and relaxation.
The mountains don’t dictate just one way to experience them.
The kind of winter you remember
Maybe it’s one morning.
You open the window.
The mountains are white.
Perhaps it is snowing.
You step outside.
The air is cold.
You walk through the village.
Then you head towards the slopes.
Or perhaps you take a trail.
In the evening you come back.
The lights come on.
Snow is still falling outside.
These are often the simple moments that become the best memories of a holiday.
Come and experience winter in Alta Val Susa
If you’re looking for a snow holiday in Piedmont, want to ski in Via Lattea, go snowshoeing, explore Alpine villages, or simply spend a few days in the mountains, Oulx is an ideal base from which to discover Alta Val Susa.
La Maison du Coeur is here.
In the heart of the valley.
Close to the mountains.
Close to the snow.
And ready to become your home during your mountain holiday.