Sestriere 2025 - A curtailed end to the ski season

My last ski trip of 2025 was set to be two weeks in Sestriere - a resort I spent a week in last Easter. Unfortunately, all did not go quite to plan, a previous ankle injury reared it's ugly head on day one and, although I managed to ski for a couple of days with the aid of paracetamol and ibuprofen, I ended up coming home early. I'm not too upset about this, the two days that I did ski for had some of the best conditions I have ever skied in and proved a spectacular end to what has been my best winters skiing yet.

As with my previous ski related blog posts, I'll let the pictures do most of the talking again. Click on any of the images to enlarge them and see a caption.

Breakfast next to the river in Newhaven

My flight isn't until early afternoon so Leigh and I have time for breakfast next to the river in Newhaven before she drops me off at Gatwick. I have been unable to check in online so get there in plenty of time, to find that BA have oversold the flight and, as a solo traveller, I am on standby. Not impressed but, fortunately, they get me on the flight.

Having a drink with Maisie while waiting for Sam

Torino Porta Nuova railway station

It's a long day getting to Sestriere, I meet Maisie at Gatwick and Sam in Turin before travelling together from there out to the resort. Delayed trains and a bus replacement means we finally arrive at just after midnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Fortunately I get into my room quickly enough and am straight to sleep!

The view from my hotel balcony

I was surprised to see bikes here so early in the year!

Morning coffee with the other reps

A ski race made for a busy town centre on my first day

I'm not very good at lie ins but I manage one today before waking up to spectacular views of the mountains and clear blue skies. At breakfast I meet my fellow reps - some I already know, introductions are made with the rest. I don't have a lot to do today so get a coffee with the others before heading into town for a wander around - unsurprisingly nothing has changed since I was here last year.

Sunset in the mountains - does it get any better?

The school group I am assigned to arrive in the afternoon so I help them get ski hire and check in sorted before everyone gets an early night - they have been on a coach for 26 hours!

Very happy to be on the first lift of the week

Blue skies and untouched slopes

Monday morning and it is finally time to go skiing again - I know I was on the slopes five weeks ago but I'm very ready to get out in Sestriere again! Unfortunately this doesn't go to plan. I only manage about 30 mins before an old ankle injury rears it's ugly head and I have to call it a day!

I have the rest of Monday and all of Tuesday off. It's not the end of the world - the weather is stunning and I find plenty to do. The wifi in the hotel is good when everyone is out skiing so I can get on with some work. Useful but not really what I am here for.

7am in Sestriere

Making a fuss of the huskies

Making a fuss of the huskies

Sitting in the town with a drink

The sky just kept getting darker

4pm on Tuesday it starts snowing, and when I get up on Wednesday morning it's still going - the skiing conditions look incredible so I dose up on Paracetamol and Ibuprofen and give it a go. I manage several hours before the painkillers wear off and I have to call it a day - but what a few hours. I can honestly say Wednesday morning is some of the best skiing I have ever done - and I've done quite a lot now!

Queueing for the first lift

Leaving the queues behind for the day

I honestly wasn't that cold - but my beard gave plenty of people a laugh

Empty slopes covered in fresh powder

A quick snack on the mountain before getting back out

I wake up on Thursday to find the sun is now out and the conditions look, if anything, better again. Once I've been up for a while my ankle, which was very sore last night, does ease off a bit. So back onto the painkillers and out on the slopes! I know this is a bad idea but I can't miss this.

Perfect slopes and blue skies!

Empty lift and some very tempting off piste

Just getting into the clouds at the top

I'm pretty sure this is the highest bar in the area

Another coffee stop with a view

I take it fairly easy to begin with. More coffee than skiing and quite a lot of videoing for Instagram. It's lovely out here but I decide to call it a day at lunchtime. I get back to meet my group from their ski lesson and chat the the party leader. This is when my plan to quit while I'm ahead goes out the window! He recommends I take the cable care over towards Sauze d'Oulx. I think the word he uses is 'epic'.

I do as suggested and find a real treat - the views are spectacular and the skiing very different to Sestriere. It's also nice and quiet (although none of the resort has been busy).

I've also had a personal reason for wanting to come over here ever since I arrived. Sauze is the resort I learnt to ski in when I was 11 years old! I came here with my parents and my brother. I recognise the restaurant we had lunch in every day and ski the nursery slope I learnt the basics on - I remember it being a lot longer!

On my way to Sauze

Empty slopes from top to bottom in Sauze

The restaurant I ate in every day for a week 23 years ago

I finally head back to my hotel with a very sore ankle and knowing that my skiing is done for the season. I've had two of the best days skiing I've ever experienced but I'm paying for it now! I could technically go out tomorrow so I hand my skis and lift pass back to stop myself getting tempted.

Waking up to my last morning in Sestriere

Last look at the snow capped mountains

Almost home - I'd prbably be able to see my house if I was on the other side of the plane

Back in Turin Airport

The group I have been looking after head home on Friday, I see them off and stay for one more night. I've spoken to my boss and he is going to send me home early - there's no point me sitting in the hotel all week unable to ski if another rep would love to be here skiing.

I get a lift to Turin Airport with another school group who are on the same flight as me. Once at the airport and through security I go to get some lunch before boarding my flight - this is where I experience my final hit of Italian efficiency. Here is a copy of the message I sent to Leigh while I was there, I wont edit it:

'Queue up at a counter to order and get a ticket. The sandwich I want is right in front of lady number 1 but never mind that. Then join queue number 2. When you get to the front of that you're about 3ft from where you just paid and you give your receipt to lady number 2 to confirm you have paid lady number 1. So you get your food. The coffee machine is right there but never mind that. Go and join queue number 3. Get to the front of that and you're about 3ft in the other direction. Give your receipt to lady number 3 to prove you paid lady number 1 and collect your coffee. Lady number 2 tears the receipt to prove you have collected your food and lady number 3 marks it with a pen to prove you have your coffee. Italian efficiency at it's finest.'

Leigh found it funny anyway! I was just a bit bemused by the whole thing!

That's all for 2025 skiing - thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading - that's all for skiing this year so I'll be back to writing about bikes from now on. I have plenty planned so if you would like to keep up with my exploits please subscribe to my blog for future posts any updates.