Planning a December, Christmas or New Year Ski Trip to Sauze d’Oulx in the Italian Alps?
As winter 25/26 approaches, we’re all looking out for the first signs of snowfall across the Alps and here at Monsguide HQ in Sauze, we’ve had our first dusting in the Via Lattea up at Fratieve last night! Anyone else getting excited to top up their lift pass, jump on a chair lift and get back on the mountain?!?
Sadly, we can’t tell you yet exactly what early-season snow conditions we’ll have in Sauze, or what Christmas and New Year will be like for skiing, but we can give you all the info you need so you can make the most of your December holiday.
Because with the possibility 400km of pistes in the Via Lattea, no matter what pessimistic ski weather reports you read from back in the UK, we promise you’ll be buzzing to be here once you’ve got the inside scoop from us at Monsguide.
When Does the Via Lattea & Sauze d’Oulx Open – Winter 25/26?
Good question. Sauze d'Oulx will open in December, but exact dates are not yet confirmed. We'll update you here as soon as dates are confirmed, but at the moment, here's the projected timetables for opening the ski lifts & slopes across the Via Lattea are...
Unlock Discounts at the Best Bars & Restaurants
With the Monsguide Discount Card you'll unlock discounts across all our favourite bars & restaurants in the resort and on the mountain, and you can use it for your entire holiday
🌨️ How Reliable Is Snow in Sauze d’Oulx in December?
Don’t worry if it hasn’t snowed much. There’s always decent skiing to be found, although there are some areas to avoid, too.
Montgenevre has the best snow-making facilities in the Via Lattea, so if you’re coming in December or early in the season, it’s the place to go for great skiing when Sauze d’Oulx snow conditions on the piste aren’t amazing.
Sauze d'Oulx December Snow
Lower slopes can be patchy, icy & home runs could be closed. Don’t worry, you can download on the chair lifts back to resort.
You might find the left side of the Sauze piste map not yet open. If temperatures have dropped, they’ll be pumping the snow cannons, but Sestriere & Montgenevre are always great places to head towards, due to their height and ability to hold the snow better. San Sicario usually won’t be open yet.
1st Dec
Snow cover usually improves, and most main runs are open.
If there’s been a decent snowfall, this is one of the best times to ski. Quieter slopes, good value lift passes, and festive atmosphere building in town. If temperatures have dropped, they’ll be pumping the snow cannons, too. The runs from Sauze all the way down into Sestriere probably won’t be open yet & you’ll have to use the Gondola to get there.
15th Dec
School holidays aren’t so bad in Sauze compared to your French resorts, but it will be busier than usual.
Sauze d’Oulx isn’t great for total beginners so the slopes are never crammed with children’s ski schools, but do make sure you book lessons in advance for these weeks of the year, as free ski instructors might not be found at short notice. Expect queues at Clotes in the morning, and although Sportinia is usually the quickest way into the ski area, remember this is also the most direct route to the ski school meet points at the Sportinia Plateau, so there will probably be five minutes of queuing. If you’re staying at The Hideaway Apartments or just out of the town centre, the Jovenceaux lift is a dream. No queues, free parking and none of the walking across town in ski boots required for Sportinia.
24th Dec
Group or Private
Snowboard & Ski
Lessons
Book adult & child, group & private snowboard & ski lessons now
Christmas & New Year in Sauze d'Oulx
The village lights up.
There’ll be events at the bottom of the piste near Clotes, usually involving displays from the ski instructors and fireworks. Typically the night Italians celebrate, so make sure to reserve your restaurants. Contact us if you need any help with this, or check out the Resort Guide for our recommendations.
Xmas Eve
Expect quieter pistes in the morning as everyone had too much to drink the night before.
The slopes are never packed and there are some great places to stop on the mountain for lunch. But if you want to eat somewhere specific make sure you book in Advance. We’ve got plenty of recommendations, discounts & offers in the Sauze d’Oulx Resort Guide, or drop us a message and we’ll be happy to help you organise your Christmas Day dinner & celebration.
Xmas Day
Street parties, fireworks, and busy bars.
We can help you book restaurants well in advance if you drop us a message. Moncrons is lovely and peaceful if you can get in (they strictly keep numbers low on purpose) and next door, Derby Bar is rammed with live music and DJs, so take your pick! We’ve got a full list of all our favourite bars in Sauze d’Oulx on the Resort Guide.
New Years Eve
The Only Resort Guide You Need
What's on, resort updates & recommendations, snowboard & ski lessons, equipment hire, and discounts for your best holiday yet
Where to Ski around Sauze d'Oulx in December 2025
Sauze d'Oulx
Perfect in December when visibility is tricky. The larch forests protect you in flat light. Early season, the runs above Sportinia are usually the best covered.
Sestriere
At 2,000m+, Sestriere is one of the safest bets for December snow depth. A quick lift connection from Sauze brings you to wide, high-altitude pistes.
Montgenèvre
If you’ve got a six day Via Lattea lift pass, you can ski in France for two days.
Higher altitude and excellent snowmaking give it some of the most reliable December skiing.
Beware! It takes at least two hours to get to Montegenevre on skis (inc. loads of time sat freezing on lifts) and then you have to race back for last lifts to Sauze.
That’s why we run the Sauze d’Oulx – Montgenevre Ski Away Day once a week. We’ll take you over to France on a coach in time for first lifts and bring you back at the end of the day in time for aperitivo in Sauze. A taxi will cost you anything upwards of €160. We’ll get you there & back for €25.
The Sauze d'Oulx - Montgenèvre Ski Away Day
Hop on the coach, arrive right by the lifts, ski in France all day.
🚡 Lift Passes & Prices
For 25/26, the Via Lattea pass still covers Sauze d’Oulx, Sestriere, Sansicario, Cesana, Claviere, and Montgenèvre. Since last winter, Bardonecchia has been included on selected passes, but honestly, we would probably say skip Bardo if you’re here in December as it’s full of families on school holidays and often pretty icy.
👉 They haven’t yet released the prices for the lift passes for winter 25/26 in the Via Lattea, to give you an idea, last year’s adult six day pass during December High Season weeks was €280.50.
We’ll update you as soon as they’re released, but don’t worry, it’ll be the same price whether you buy online in advance or in resort.
⛷️ Need to Know Before Your December Sauze Ski Trip - Hire, Lessons & Insider Savings
Lessons can get booked up fast at the start of the season when there are fewer instructors and more school holidays. It’s really worth booking in advance if you want or need ski school or private tuition, especially for snowboarders or one-on-one tuition. All the instructors speak great English and we highly recommend Ski School Sportinia (Angie’s been taking refresher lessons with them for the past two years!).
