Sauze d’Oulx: Best Ski day-trip from Turin / Ultimate guide
In this post we describe our day trip from Turin to the charming ski town of Sauze d’Oulx. Sauze is located 1h away from Turin making it the perfect spot for a day trip. I lived in Turin most of my life and I went very often to Sauze both in winter & summer. Here are my tips for skiers and non-skiers to enjoy your day trip to the fullest.
QUICK LINKS
- Why Sauze D’Oulx?
- Where is Sauze D’Oulx located?
- How to get from Turin to Sauze d’Oulx?
- What height is Sauze D’Oulx?
- Is Sauze D’Oulx Expensive?
- Is Sauze D’Oulx a good ski resort?
- Can you ski from Sauze D’Oulx to Sestriere?
- Sauze d’Oulx for Non-Skiers
- My Two Favorite Lunch Spots
- Top 3 things Not to miss
- Sauze D’Oulx Nightlife
1. Why Sauze D’Oulx?
If you are staying in Turin, Sauze d’Oulx is the perfect destination for a day trip or weekend in the Alps. Top reasons why you should go:
- It is only 1h and 10 minutes-drive from Turin
- It was one of the venues of 2006 Turin Winter Olympics
- It’s part of the broader Vialattea ski resort (easy access to 400 km of ski runs!)
- It is home to fantastic hiking routes
- It’s NOT expensive and underrated
Below is a quick video showing you the gorgeous ski village of Sauze D’Oulx.
2. Where is Sauze D’Oulx located?
Sauze D’Oulx is located in the Italian Alps, 87km West from Turin.
The town is really charming, as it is populated mainly with wooden chalets. The village is 1,509 meters above the sea level and its ski slopes reach 2.800 m heights.
It is close to the border with France, you can head to Montgenèvre and ski in TWO countries on the SAME day!
3. How to get from Turin to Sauze d’Oulx?
BY CAR (1h 10 mins – 50€ return ticket)
The easiest is to go by car. It take only 1h-10 mins , you just need to take ONE road: the Torino-Bardonecchia highway.
Total cost of the trip 25€ (roughly 14€ of tolls and 10€ by fuel) one way. 50€ return.
BY TRAIN (1h 45 mins- 20€ return ticket)
From Turin, Oulx is easily accessible by Train:
- Take the train from Torino Porta Susa to Oulx (1h 12min ). It’s a direct train, no need to change. Ticket is €7
- Train ticket can be purchased at the following link: https://www.trenitalia.com/it.html
Watch-out: the train will take you to Oulx, NOT to Sauze D’Oulx. Hence, from Oulx train station to Sauze you can:
- Take the BUS (number 285): ride is 15 mins, but they don’t pass very regularly. Bus ticket costs ~1.5€
- Walk: not recommended as it is uphill and not well equipped with sidewalks – 45 mins
4. What height is Sauze D’Oulx?
Sauze d’Oulx village is about 1,509 meters above the sea level. Ski slopes reach up to 2.800 meters heights.
Below is a quick video, showing you the view from a quick hike up to Monfol. More details below.
5. Is Sauze D’Oulx expensive?
Sauze d’Oulx is an affordable ski resort. Daily ski ticket costs only 28€ /day (40€ to access the whole Via Lattea resort)
Affordable lunch options :
- Pizza House: tasty warm pizza slices 3€
- Assietta: warm sandwiches at 6-7€
- Chalet del Sole: warm Polenta with wild boar 14€
For drinks, there are plenty of pubs offering Happy Hour options (2x beers at 6€)
Accommodation:
- You can find a stay in the old town for 95€/night (i.e Gran Trun Hotel)
- There are few B&B just outside the old town at 60 €/night
6. Is Sauze D’Oulx a good ski resort?
Yes, Sauze d’Oulx is a good ski resort.
It’s part of the Vialattea ski resort together with other six villages: Setriere, San Sicario, Claviere, Cesana, Pragelato, Monginevro. Hence, it offers plenty of routes to explore with its 72 skilifts and 400 km of slopes.
The daily skipass is rather cheap (below are the 2022 prices):
- The whole Via Lattea resort = 40€/day
- If you want to ski only in Sauze d’Oulx = 28€
- You can buy tickets online by clicking here
If you are an intermediate skier, I suggest you to stay in Sauze d’Oulx as the resort offers plenty of red slopes.
If you are an experienced skier, I suggest to take the pass for the Via Lattea. This way you can easily reach also Sestriere and San Sicario via chair lifts.
7. Can you ski from Sauze D’Oulx to Sestriere?
The answer is Yes!
You can easily travel from Sauze D’Oulx to Sestriere and Sansicario via chair lift within the same day!
You could also ski up to Montgenèvre (France) and ski two countries in one day!
8. Sauze d’Oulx for Non-Skiers
For non-skiiers, Sauze d’Oulx offers some great hiking routes.
We loved the one from Sauze to Monfol, it took a mere 50 mins walk! The views were stunning and it offered stunning spots for picnics.
9. My Two Favorite Lunch Spots
ASSIETTA
If you want to stay in the old town, Assietta offers the best option for a good, affordably lunch in the sunshine. But you better reserve upfront!
They make lovely, crunchy pizzas and really tasty warm sandwiches. For 1x sandwhich, 1x Pizza and 2x Coca Cola we were charged only 22€.
CHALETE DEL SOLE
If you feel like walking a bit, you may want to check out Chalet del Sole.
It is 10-15 mins walking up-hill from the main square. It offers a gorgeous sunny terrace right in front of the slopes. Food is good and affordable. Service is friendly.
10. Top 3 things to try in Sauze D’Oulx
Here are my favorite:
- Eat the famous Torta Salice 2000 at Gally Pastry Shop
- Try the Bombardino local beverage (3/4 egg liquere 1/4 Brandy)
- Try the home made “Meliga” Biscuits from the local peddler on the main street
Below a picture showing you how Bombardino looks like, I suggest to enjoy it at Peperino Dolce Cafe.
Let me add also a quick video showing you how the Torta Salice 2000 looks like.
11. Sauze D’Oulx Nightlife
Sauze offers good Apres-ski / night life options.
APRES SKI
The village is filled with English tourists in the winter so there is some good party vibes. There are lots of pubs putting some good music and offering drinks:
CLUBBING
If you are into proper clubbing, there is no better place in the whole Via Lattea area than the Tabata Disco in Sestriere