Resort height: 1510m
The mountains
Officially, the Milky Way's lift system covers a mighty 400km of pistes, though the chances are you'll never make it to the more far-flung corners of the area. In particular, the trip to Montgenèvre, the French component of the resort, is a slog, and not recommended.
Another problem is snow cover. Some seasons (such as this one, for example), the snow in Sauze d'Oulx can be good - sometimes there can be blizzards in the Milky Way when the rest of the Alps are bone dry. But its idiosyncratic weather patterns can work against it, too, and in years when resorts in France, Switzerland and Austria are buried beneath a deep white blanket, the cover here can be patchy and/or slushy. What's more, there aren't enough snow cannons to make up the shortfall. The general rule of thumb is don't book a skiing holiday in Sauze d'Oulx months in advance. Wait until the winter is underway, and you've read the snow reports.
That said, in a good snow year, intermediate skiers will have a ball here, building their confidence on the fast, flattering cruisers beneath Monte Fraiteve, and tearing down the Olympic downhill run of the Motta in neighbouring Sestriere.
Getting there
It's a quick transfer to Sauze d'Oulx from Turin airport - between 75 and 90 minutes on a good run.
Rating: 
9/10
Après-ski
Many Sauze d'Oulx regulars would say the nightlife is half the point of coming here: beer is sold by the pint in many of the bars, and the atmosphere midweek is very British and/or Irish. Things get a little more Italian at the weekend. Paddy McGinty's, the Derby, and the Queen's Lounge are all heaving from early till late, and are supplemented after midnight by dancing at Clarabella or the Schuss. For a different, more understated atmosphere, try the Gran Trun wine cellar in the little hotel of the same name.
By contrast, dinner isn't such a big deal, although the Godfather and Del Borgo both do great pizzas. Try the Percore Nere for pasta, and the Cantun del Barbabuc for a blow-out ten-course meal.
Rating: 
5/10
Non-skiers
If you're prepared to put on your drinking hat and get mucky with the après-ski crowd, then all well and good. But if you're after the restaurants and cocktail bars of a glamorous Alpine resort, or the quiet of a rustic mountain village, then don't come to Sauze! As well as partying, there's fun to be had snow-mobiling, ice-skating and taking a guided run down the Olympic bobsleigh in nearby Cesana. Day trips to Turin and Milan, for shopping or football, are also a possibility, and several tour operators offer excursions.
Rating: 
8/10
Cost of living
It's not exactly cheap: but for the Alps, Sauze is very affordable.
Rating: 
6/10
Attractiveness of the resort
Sauze d'Oulx still has a historic village core, but for the most part accommodation is in functional hotels and apartment blocks. The mountain scenery is pretty, but not nearly as dramatic as the likes of Chamonix of Mürren.
