Claviere - Italy
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Visited December 2000/January 2001
Just across the border from Montgenevre this ski resort is a very small traditionally Italian village RIGHT on the border (our Hotel the Passero Pelegrino was only 20 metres from France).
With 50km of runs in the local area - including 4 or 5 Blacks (depending on the inclination of the Markers) - there is a fair bit of skiing. All the Hotels are within 2 or 3 minutes of the slopes - with plenty of stuff for Beginners or early intermediates to have a go (but not so much for experience skiers :(). The snow was excellent - especially for so early in the season, tonnes of it, with a fair bit of fresh powder available just off Piste. There are lots of nice tree lined runs including one long fairly easy blue right into the village.
Plenty of Picturesque mountain restaurants dot the slopes, serving inexpensive good food - and - most importantly Vino Caldo (Gluh Wein - another article in this one?). The food in the Hotel was also excellent with 3 choices for each course - and plenty of it! A Carafe (1 litre) of good House wine cost about the same as 2 beers, and 3 of us shared one a night.
What really makes this resort is the possibility of linking to the rest of the Milky Way region - up to 500kms of runs in Italy - and Montgenevre in France.
Although we only managed 2 days out of Claviere - 1 in Montgenevre and one in Sestriere - the Skiing was certainly enough to keep us all interested. If you do decide to go to Montgenevre for the day (well worth the £4-£5) save some energy for the hard slog back (or just get a taxi).
One of the highlights of the Holiday was the chance to go Heli-Skiing - a marvellous experience, so I am told (and one which I will definitely do if I ever get another chance). Basically you get dropped at the top of a Mountain by Chopper and have to make your way down before being picked up by the Chopper again. All off Piste and perfectly safe with a Guide (and the Chopper on call if there is any problem), it really puts your Skiing to the test - alternatively it puts your Faceplanting skills to the test!
The Apres Ski was a bit tame, compared with Montgenevre, but satisfied us. The local Night Club was underneath our Hotel - called Ski Legends. It is worth a visit during Happy Hour (4-7pm) after a hard days Skiing - serving Tetley's Export as well as the local brew - and all drinks are half price(ish). Also very nice nibbles are provided - including Chilli(sp?) Popcorn. A hair raising night time Skidoo ride was great fun - followed by much food and drinking. The Grolla (Hot alcoholic drink in a Wooden many spouted Pot) has to be tried (and could be worth an entry of its own!)
End of 1st Draft.... B2CH2G2 Day 7
