Pragelato - slopes
Ski highlights for all levels
Beginners: There are some flat areas in the village which are perfect for making your first turns and getting used to the equipment. However, pretty quickly you’ll need to head up to the ski area above the village or into the Via Lattea ski area.
Intermediates: The slopes above the village are good but limited in size. The skiing goes up to 2,580m, so there is a decent vertical drop. Pragelato is linked into the vast Via Lattea, one of the best intermediate ski areas in the Alps with 400km of slopes. Most are easy cruising reds.
Experts: This is not a great area for experts. The area offers few challenges for advanced skiers and any moguls that develop are soon flattened. The Olympic Downhill course in Sestriere is worth a go though.
Off Piste
In good snow, and there was powder when we last visited, it is an undiscovered gem. Powder is one of Pragelato’s secrets with some great fields above the village.
Ski Schools
There are two ski school that operate out of Pragelato; one for downhill skiing/snowboarding and the other for cross-country/Nordic.
The instructors are mainly Italian but many have very good English. Private lessons start at €37 per hour for 1 person; if there are 4 of you the total price is €67 so you can split the cost. Group lessons are cheaper but there could be up to 12 people in a class.
If you have never tried cross-country skiing, then Pragelato is the place to do it with its Olympic trails in the Val Tronchea Park.
Lift System
There are 6 lifts, 2 of them chairs, serving the 50km of piste above the village itself. A brand new cable car whisks you into the main lift system of the Via Lattea and then you are spoilt for choice. Most start off in Sestriere and then head further afield.
Snow reliability
Pragelato lies at a decent altitude though the area is not known for its outstanding snow cover. It sometimes misses out when other areas of the Alps get significant snowfalls. The main Via Lattea area has extensive snowmaking.
Terrain Park
There are terrain parks at Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx and Sansicario.