Hi everybody! Всем привет! Hola a todos! Bonjour à tous! Hallo allerseits! Поздрав свима!
Ski Weekend in Claviere – Vialattea: A First-Time Adventure
Last weekend, we found ourselves somewhere completely new: the charming alpine village of Claviere, nestled in the Vialattea (Milky Way) ski area, right on the border between Italy and France. For all of us, it was our first time skiing in Claviere, and we had no idea what to expect. But what started as just another weekend getaway quickly turned into one of the most memorable ski trips we’ve had so far.
We arrived on a Friday afternoon, just as the sun began to dip behind the peaks. The village was quiet, peaceful, and picture-perfect. Wooden chalets, snow-dusted rooftops, and a few friendly locals gave us a warm welcome. The first thing we noticed was the incredible view — wide, open slopes stretching all the way into the distance, and the kind of snow that makes you want to clip into your skis immediately.
On Saturday morning, we hit the slopes bright and early. The weather was perfect: blue skies, crisp air, and sunshine strong enough to make you squint even behind your goggles. The snow conditions were just as ideal — firm in the morning, softening slightly by the afternoon. We couldn’t believe our luck.
One of the unexpected highlights of the trip was meeting Gilles, a local skier and instructor we bumped into on the lift. Friendly and full of stories, Gilles quickly became our unofficial mountain guide. As it turned out, he was not only a lifelong skier but also someone deeply familiar with the French ski school techniques, which he was more than happy to share with us.
While we were decent skiers already, Gilles gave us a few small technical tips that instantly made a huge difference. “Relax your arms, bend the knees just a little more, and trust the edges,” he said. Easier said than done — but once we followed his advice, everything started to click. The turns became smoother, the control sharper, and honestly, we felt more connected to the mountain than ever before.
After a few warm-up runs, we followed Gilles into more adventurous terrain. That’s when the freeride fun began. Claviere has plenty of marked runs, but it's also full of off-piste possibilities. With Gilles leading the way, we ventured just off the beaten path into untouched powder fields and narrow tree runs that felt wild and beautiful. It was challenging, thrilling, and exactly what we had been looking for.
By late afternoon, legs tired but spirits high, we returned to the village for some much-needed après-ski. The little bar near the main lift station was buzzing with life — skiers clinking glasses, laughter echoing off the wooden walls, and the smell of hot cheese and mulled wine in the air. We joined in, ordering local wine and a big plate of raclette. The vibe was relaxed, warm, and full of that unique post-ski glow.
We spent the evening chatting with locals and fellow travelers, including Gilles, who turned out to be just as entertaining off the slopes as he was on them. He told us more about Claviere’s history, the evolution of the Vialattea ski area, and the connection between Italian and French skiing cultures.
On Sunday, we got in a few more runs before reluctantly packing up and heading home. It’s always hard to leave the mountains, but this time it felt especially bittersweet. Claviere had surprised us in the best way possible — with stunning weather, welcoming people, incredible terrain, and a touch of French-Italian charm.
We came for a ski weekend, but we left with something more: new skills, new friends, and a new favorite place. And yes — we’re already planning our next trip back.
