The List - NUCO Resort Guide 19/20

Your guide to this season's snow destinations

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Where will it take you this season?

19/20

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON...

Welcome to The List, your guide to NUCO's resort selection.

I have been lucky enough to be holidaying in the Alps since I was 8 years old.

I took my first trip to a small resort called Valfrejus and fell in love with the mountains.

Thanks to my family and later my career, I have had the opportunity to spend hundreds of weeks in resorts across Europe.

Based on the knowledge I have accumulated on both a personal and professional level, I know for sure the ten resorts enclosed are all, in their own special way, amazing destinations for student snowsports.

We have worked extremely hard over many years to forge strong relationships in each of the resorts we offer. We are respected by all the movers and shakers in each resort and can harness our relationships to your advantage.

No matter which resort you choose, you can rest assured we will exceed your expectations and help you create the most incredible experience.

See you in the snow

DN

TIGNES / VAL D'ISERE /VAL THORENS / ALPE D'HUEZ / LES ARCS / LES 2 ALPES / PAS DE LA CASA / BELLE PLAGNE / AVORIAZ / SESTRIERE 4

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ESPACE KILLY

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With beds selling out in record time, this really is a high contender for the No. 1 student snowsport resort.

THE LOWDOWN

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Not only has Tignes now well and truly cemented itself amongst the big players when it comes to the resort of choice, it is my personal favourite.

As the second highest resort we offer only behind Val Thorens, Tignes offers that year round snow security we all crave. With the Tignes local ski pass now a thing of the past, the entire Espace Killy ski area is now yours at no extra cost.

The real reason Tignes is a NUCO favourite: après and events. Val Claret now has its very own Cocorico pumping tunes out until 8pm everyday for incredible après! This combined with After Dark events such as

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the Twisted Tropical Pool Party, Backcountry Banquet and Espace Killy main stage mean you are guaranteed an unforgettable trip. Have any headaches cured the next morning by the best smoothie in the Alps at the Planks shop/coffee house.

Tignes is home to so many NUCO memories. The time our NUCO Academy Rider, Gillian got to shred with Billy Morgan, Rudimental spontaneously jumping on the mic in the nightclub Blue Girl and helicopter rides over the entire Espace Killy area. This is a resort where anything can happen.

Don’t forget to grab a yummy smoothie from our friends at the Planks store while you’re there!

NUCO RATINGS

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

Accommodation

2100 m

3450 m

300 km

          Snow record

Green runs

Blue runs

Red runs

Black runs

         

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66

40

24

Après

Snow parks

          Nightlife

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THE LIST

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THE LIST

ESPACE KILLY

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VAL D'ISERE

Both Val D’Isere and Tignes have their own glaciers, which means that even in the poorest snow conditions you should still find some powder to track.

THE LOWDOWN Val d’Isere should undoubtedly feature on the bucket list of every snowsports fan. The marrying of the two resorts, Val d’Isere and Tignes to form the Espace KIlly area, provides snow junkies with 300km of piste and an abundance of awesome off-piste so that there is simply too much to cover in a week.

‘Val’ as it is more commonly known is a high rollers’ resort with a big time après ski and ski area fit for a king; people who go to Val don’t mess around, and it’s a given that you ride hard and party hard when in France’s premier resort. NUCO has been lucky enough to grow from Val d’Isere roots and we can’t wait to spread all that love to you lucky people!

A common concern with Val d’Isere is the cost of food and drink once in resort, but with a NUCO wristband proudly round your wrist, you need not worry. Unlocking

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meal deals at restaurants on the mountain and cheaper drinks deals than in many other resorts, NUCO’s unrivalled personal relationships and partnerships in resort will become instantly apparent.

With more quality and large bars than any other resort in the Alps, the choice of several quality nightclubs including the infamous ‘Dicks Tea Bar’, NUCO favourites ‘Doudoune’ and incomparable après sessions at Cocorico, there really is no comparison for big nights out. There are more amazing restaurants than you could get to in a fortnight, and probably the best breakfast in the Alps comes from the epic bar/restaurant Le Petit Danois.

A trip to Val also allows you to make the most of all the events possible in the Espace Killy, think Pool Parties, Backcountry Banquets and Open Air Parties! There are more events on than you can possibly do in a week, now you just need to pick your favourites!

NUCO RATINGS

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

Accommodation

2100 m

3450 m

300 km

          Snow record

Green runs

Blue runs

Red runs

Black runs

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21

66

40

24

Après

Snow parks

          Nightlife

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LES 3 VALLÉES

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VAL THORENS

THE LIST

Val Thorens, or 'VT' pretty much epitomises the student snowsports experience. powder stays untracked for days and the terrain makes for my favourite off piste in the French Alps.

THE LOWDOWN The resort is lucky enough to be able to boast some serious stats including but not limited to; being the highest ski resort in Europe, lying within the largest linked ski area in the world, and it also has some of the most infamous Alpine nightlife around!

When asked to recall my favourite moments in the last 6 years of working in the Alps, my hazy recollections usually come back to somewhere near Saloon and Summit. Val Thorens has so many options for a varied nightlife plan for all sized groups no matter how big the week of travel, and then after the notorious bars you have the largest club in the Alps, Malaysia which can hold almost 1000 people. These attributes alone make it the Alpine heavy weight, but that’s just the beginning…

The skiing has a great range of pistes meaning all abilities can experience the stunning mountain ranges right over to Meribel and Courchevel. For those who are into some air time, there are plenty of parks including the infamous DC park with kickers the size of houses (trust me I’ve made big mistakes here and paid the price!)

But what gets me most excited about this area, is the fourth valley in the Three Valleys (obviously), the

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Backcountry adventurers: if you’re confident in your ability, have all the right kit and snow conditions are right, it is possible to ski or board down to Orelle village at 800m, although do set off early!

Once you’ve completed your big day lapping the three valleys, you’ll probably want to enjoy a beer in the sun on the mountains. As well as a Folie Douce with epic sunsets, bar 360 has quickly become one of the most renowned après bars in Europe. As if these two weren’t strong enough options already, on big weeks we’ll put on an After Dark Terrace Party with a DJ playing throughout the early evening and drinks at bargain prices!

Val Thorens has around 10 fantastic bar options ranging in capacity from 50 to 450 and everything in between.

This means you can find a few bars that are the perfect size for your group and still experience a truly varied nightlife. There are two main clubs, sumptuous but sticky Klub Summit and the gigantic Malaysia. Despite looking like a tiny (but lovely) garden shed from the outside, this converted underground car park attracts people from all over the Tarentaise valley. One of the only venues in the Alps to comfortably handle almost any number of students you can throw at it.

NUCO RATINGS

*with 3 Valleys skipass upgrade

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

2300 m

3230 m

150 km *600

km

Green runs

Blue runs

11 *51

29 *129 30 *108 8 *30

Snow parks

*4

Red runs

Accommodation

Black runs

          Snow record

          Après

          Nightlife

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ALPE D'HUEZ

If you are looking for that perfect golden goggle tan, Alpe d’Huez is your resort, with mostly south facing slopes catching the sun all day long, it is where this resort gets its nickname.

THE LOWDOWN Combined with its selection of excellent bars it’s no wonder the students love it, big or small groups, it caters for all. Event possibilities are endless with two night clubs, a swimming pool, ice rink & a floodlight slope.

Alpe d’Huez is set in the heart of the Oisans valley, with a ski area of more than 250km, it offers a wide variety of terrain. Meaning there is something suitable for everyone. It is something of a ‘freeriders’ paradise’, with families sticking to the pistes leaving the powder untracked.

Alpe d’Huez is home to the longest black run in the world! The descent from the Pic Blanc is referred to by locals as the ‘champagne run’, because this is what you deserve when you’ve finished it (if you do it all in one).

Don’t worry though, for those who are just learning this resort is also great with a variety wide-open nursery slopes.

Where better to get your well-deserved drink after completing the longest black run than the infamous La Folie Douce. Après and the nightlife in Alpe d’Huez is as

THE LIST

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STATISTICS

NUCO RATINGS

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

Accommodation

1860 m

3330 m

250 km

          Snow record

Green runs

Blue runs

Red runs

Black runs

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Après

Snow parks

          Nightlife

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varied as it gets, after a saxophone filled afternoon at Folie head back into town and start your night off pirate style and sample some of the most unusual flavours of rum in Bar Etalon. Then head to Free Ride to use the toilets via compulsory slide, finally finish off the evening dancing till the early hours of the morning in a Cave or Igloo...

After all of this you might have a bit of a cloudy head, so there is nowhere better to sort this out then Captain Sandwich, just next to the rum bar, there is something on

the menu for everyone, gluten intolerant included!

New to the 16/17 season was the addition of a fast chair/ gondola mix lift ‘Signal’ that services the piste for night skiing. It also allows access to Marcel’s farm, a new area for budding freestylers with lots of fun little features for those who don’t want to brave the snow park just yet.

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PARADISKI

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Linked to La Plagne, the paradiski ski area gives you over 400 kilometers of runs where no two days are ever quite the same.

THE LOWDOWN

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When choosing a ski resort for your next holiday, whether for 5 or 500 people, value is always what people look for. In Les Arcs you are treated to a fantastic quality of skiing with a variety of terrains, a selection of quality nightlife and events and a price tag that you would not expect, making it one of the best value resorts to choose from.

While the resort itself is small and compact, there is a surprising amount of things to keep yourself busy for a week. With suntrap terraces, the best mountain meal around, laser quest (well worth a game!), toboggan run, bowling alley, swimming pool and an igloo party to name a few!

One of the best things about the resort is that nothing is too far to walk. The main residences we use are only a few mins from each other and all offer doorstep skiing or a very short walk to the slopes. Most of the bars are located within 100m of each other, and you find that due to the layout of the resort being all along

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one footpath (the resort is pedestrianised so you’ll barely see a car all week) you often bump into each other as people walk back and forwards between the accommodation, bars and shops. This size and compactness gives it a unique village feel and makes it an incredibly social resort.

There are two nightclubs to choose from for those who make it past the bars, and at the end of the night all your dreams come true – you don’t just find any kebab shop open at 5am, you find the best kebab shop in the Alps (perhaps the world).

If the wide motorway pistes of Les Arcs aren’t enough to thrill you, cruising over the water-slide slush cup hasn’t left you soaked through, then head over to my favourite area in the Alps - the beautiful tree­line tracks down to the villages of Peisey and Vallandry. After that, you’re almost at one of the most impressive (and incidentally, most expensive to build) cable cars in the world, to a place where surfing through the waist­- deep powder defies description, the Bellecote glacier in La Plagne.

NUCO RATINGS

*with Paradiski skipass upgrade

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

1800 m

3250 m

200 km *425

km

Green runs

Blue runs

3 *12

56 *257 33 *127 18 *69

Snow parks

*2

Red runs

Accommodation

Black runs

          Snow record

          Après

          Nightlife

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THE LIST

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THE LIST

L'OISANS

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LES 2 ALPES

Les Deux Alpes holds a special place in my heart as one of the most fun resorts i’ve been to.

THE LOWDOWN As a big fan of messing around on a snowboard whenever I can and messy après and nights out, Les Deux Alpes was perfect!

Les Deux Alpes sits at 1600m and has lifts going up 3600m where you can find the largest skiable glacier in Europe, making it pretty snowsure! It boasts around 50 modern and fast lifts servicing over 220km of groomed pistes.

Les Deux Alpes is world renowned for its freestyle playground and freeride areas. Despite my appalling skills, this resort has the funnest snowpark I’ve been to, with kickers and rails galore and all kinds of wacky features thrown around to really let your creative juices flow.

If you’re more of a powder hound I can’t recommend the La Grave area highly enough, just over the edge of the glacier. Ski bums from all over camp out on that side of the mountain all season attracted by the endless powder fields, couloirs and general gnarly terrain. Not

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for the faint hearted, but there are plenty of guide services in Les Deux Alpes that will help you make the most of it and kit you out with safety equipment.

After a hard day skiing or a long day hangover-nursing, après is down in resort in the one of a kind Umbrella bar. If you can’t get enough of eurotrash remixes then the infamous Pano Bar is where it’s at, with panoramic views that will give you plenty of those euphoric après moments!

If you fancy sampling some different views, you can pop over to Alpe d’Huez on the free ski away there and watch the alpenglow from Folie Douce’s terrace instead, sipping on a beer pêche to the sound of banging saxophone tunes.

Down in resort the nightlife will leave you facing the difficult decision between first lifts in the morning and another tequila fuelled go at embarrassing yourself on Avalanche’s dance pole. With plenty of bars and clubs to explore, the choice isn’t always easy but the night will always be a little blurry.

NUCO RATINGS

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

Accommodation

1650 m

3600 m

220 km

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Green runs

Blue runs

Red runs

Black runs

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45

22

12

Après

Snow parks

          Nightlife

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16 GRANDVALIRA

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PAS DE LA CASA

Pas de la Casa or 'Pas' is a resort quite unlike any other. As well as being located in an entirely different mountain range to every other resort NUCO offers, just about everything else differs too.

THE LOWDOWN Instead of alpine wood featuring in apartments, residences have the feel of a Spanish villa. Think you’ve just about nailed how to order a beer in French? The native language of Catalan is a whole different ball game.

Fancy a Burger King with a beer in resort? No problem.

One of the most intriguing features about this resort is the fact it is located in Europe’s very own little tax haven – yep you guessed it, everything is cheap – really cheap.

There are countless shops bursting with obscenely sized bottles of grey goose as well as a five story discount department store (Aka Heaven) stocking brands such as

DC, Oakley and Picture all at a fraction of the prices we are used to.

If you were in any doubt, Pas also boasts some pretty amazing skiing. With no lift pass upgrade needed you have access to the entire Grandvalira area straight away.

Pop over the peak of Pas and you can drop down into the neighbouring valleys of Grau Roig and Empcamp for some stunning tree runs and plenty of powder. The snow in Pas this season has been record breaking, with over two meters falling in less than two weeks this January.

Seasons are moving south be warned!

THE LIST

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NUCO RATINGS

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

Accommodation

2050 m

2640 m

192 km

          Snow record

Green runs

Blue runs

Red runs

Black runs

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21

42

30

25

Après

Snow parks

          Nightlife

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And there’s not just skiing to entertain yourselves with…

Ever tried firing a paintball gun in the middle of a snowy forest? If your club is big into freestyle – look no further.

Pas has parks that are open until 10pm at night, hosting some awesome sunset events and freestyle comps. To get the competitors all warmed up and confident the night before, we can ship them to Andorra la Vella for the evening before to practise in Andorra’s very own indoor freestyle centre with trampolines, kickers and foam pits galore.

We haven’t even got to the nightlife and you really have

to experience it to believe it… Let me set the scene of a typical night in Pas; start off in a space ship at the top of the mountain, followed by 5 drinks and a burger for €15 in Olympiade’s Après Bar whilst watching your members hit the rails and jumps built on the slope by our reps outside for everyone to watch.

It doesn’t stop there... After this ridiculous deal, find yourself going up the chairlift once more for a couple more runs of night skiing and end up in Billboard Club listening to Ibiza’s resident DJ’s till 6am...

I dare you not to have fun!

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PARADISKI

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BELLE PLAGNE

THE LIST

La Plagne is made up of lots of satellite villages, Belle Plagne is one of these, with a ski area that is hugely diverse and great for side country with lots of trees and a big glacier.

THE LOWDOWN The village sits at 2050m; one of the highest in the Alps! La Plagne is also part of the Paradiski area and if you don’t want to upgrade your pass for a whole week you already get a free day in Les Arcs included in your pass price!

Belle Plagne is usually less on committees’ radars for their trip as people who have been see it as a family resort with a pretty village and nice restaurants. We have taken over 800 students there now and there are a lot of hidden gems in this apparently innocent resort!

The range of event options in this resort is ridiculous, a speciality mountain meal, a pool party, and an open air closing party in the middle of the woods at an après venue. For our larger week in Belle Plagne we were able to put on an open air party on the piste accessed by the gondola that runs till midnight.

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Belle Plagne has a big choice in terms of Après; La Bergerie, hosted by Alpoholics, has a gondola DJ booth playing all the classics with a large wooden terrace for all of the dancing, and you have Le Bonnet, this place is pretty cool and the couple that run it even cooler. They built it from scratch with their bare hands and it opened in season 16/17. They grew up in the mountains with Après as a staple and have designed the entire place with that vibe in mind.

Après here doesn’t finish til 7pm too! If the weather isn’t looking too bright you can always après in Saloon, where they will have happy hour and beer pong set up.

The nightlife in Belle Plagne and Plagne Bellecote is far from family friendly too with numerous bars and two big clubs; Saloon in Belle Plagne or Cosy Club in Plagne Bellecote, both can hold 500 people easily.

NUCO RATINGS

*with Paradiski skipass upgrade

Accommodation

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

2050 m

3250 m

225 km *425

Green runs

Blue runs

10 *22

73 *257 33 *127 18 *69

Snow parks

*2

Red runs

km

Black runs

          Snow record

          Après

          Nightlife

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PORTES DU SOLEIL

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AVORIAZ

Nestled in the clouds high above the seasonnaire hot-spot of morzine you will find the veritable winter wonderland that is avoriaz, complete with snow-covered trees and horse drawn sleighs.

Lindaret Forest and still discover new secret paths and features to hit on your last run of the day.

THE LOWDOWN It perches precariously on the edge of a sheer cliff face, and was designed to blend in with the surrounding rock formations. Avoriaz is unlike any other Alpine resort; there are no cars, for a start.

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After you’ve finished your day exploring this vast ski area, Avoriaz village has so much to offer. Which other resort has a tropical jungle water park, or laser quest, or human bowling?

The picturesque village of Avoriaz sits slap bang in the centre of the Portes du Soleil; spanning 12 resorts and around 650 km of piste - rivalling the Three Valleys in terms of its skiable size - it is the world’s oldest crossborder ski destination; see if you can find the one lift that still has a sign for passport control!

New for 18/19 was ANOTHER Folie Douce! Yes, they are popping up all over the Alps and yes, the Avoriaz version is yet another epic après venue! In terms of nights out, there are a variety of bars to suit most groups, but the best bars in town are The Place - perfect for live music and a few beers on the sunsoaked terrace; Shooters has an excellent dance floor; and then there’s Le Tavaillon, a bit on the snug side, but their happy hour prices cannot be beaten. When you’re done there, your group can head down into Le Yak nightclub and carry on until 6am should that take your fancy, or why not ask about our tailormade After Dark nightclub experience or Open Air Parties.

Due to the sheer size of the Portes du Soleil, the international lift pass upgrade is more than worth the extra money spent. You will not get bored of the tree runs down to Châtel, the wide pistes of Les Gets or the variety of snow parks across the whole area (30 in total). Speaking of snow parks; The Stash is not to be missed. It was designed by Jake Burton himself, it’s 100% natural having been built into its surrounding environment; it is the largest ecological snow park in Europe, and it is totally addictive. You could spend your whole day winding your way through the trees of the

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Possibilities are endless in Avoriaz; this is the perfect destination for your trip. Avoriaz is so much more than a ski resort - it’s a game changer!

*with Portes Du Soleil skipass upgrade

Accommodation

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

1800 m

2466 m

76 km *600

Blue runs

6 *34

25 *119 14 *101 6 *32

Snow parks

*10

Red runs

km

Green runs

NUCO RATINGS

Black runs

          Snow record

          Après

          Nightlife

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THE LIST

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VIA LATTEA

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SESTRIERE

If you want trees and trails then this is the place to go. Great for beginners and experts alike you will find gentle runs with amazing mountain views...

THE LOWDOWN ...right next to challenging slopes that test your technical skills to their limit. And that is just on the Sestriere side, with the huge Milky Way area at your disposal from Sestriere you can ski in two countries. Want to try your hand at being a piste guard then you can get a taste with snowmobiling for less than €20.

The locals are incredibly friendly in this village resort and they will welcome you into their restaurants, bars

and clubs with open arms and a ‘motto bene!’ And it goes without saying the the food is incredible, if you’ve never tasted real Italian pizza Sestriere is the place to try it.

Jazz up your après at one of Italy’s premier mountain bars; GFC with strong cocktails and beers for €5, sweet tunes and a snack table you won’t want to leave! And when the sun has gone down, Sestriere has a bar scene to rival much any resort. Kovo is a favourite of ours,

THE LIST

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STATISTICS

NUCO RATINGS

*with Milky Way skipass upgrade

Resort height

Highest point

Total ski area

Accommodation

2040 m

2840 m

400 km

         

Red runs

*933km

Snow record

Green runs

Blue runs

Black runs

7 *33

54 *142 118 *309 42 *114

Snow parks

          Après

          Nightlife

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offering irrefusable prices with five beers for €15 and the music; well they play anything you request, from bangers, to old cheese, and right through to Irish drinking songs!

Feeling merry from Kovo you will wander along to Tabata and be greeted by Frank, he will give you two kisses, European style, and show you into the best and one of the biggest clubs in the Alps to dance the night away...

Until first lift tomorrow!

But don’t just take our word for it, passengers on our first trip to Sestriere last season rate it as ‘one of the best weeks of my life, amazing skiing’ with the ski area given 94% and the nightlife 88% rating! Sestriere is Italy’s oldest purpose built ski resort but this new-to-NUCO resort offers something a little different and you’re sure to love it!

© 2019 NUCO TRAVEL