In the 1930s, Senator Giovanni Agnelli carved out Piedmont's future by creating Sestrière, the country's first world-class ski and snow resort. Sauze d'Oulx, Sansicario, Claviere, Cesana Torinese and Montgenèvre were to follow, and the Milky Way, or the Vialattea, was born. One of the most comprehensive mountain complexes in the world, with 400 km (249 mi) of inter-connecting runs, it is a main resource for Turin's 2006 Winter Olympics.

Sestrière's altitude guarantees its challenging runs are always covered with snow. Versatile Sauze d'Oulx hosts several après-ski activities, and Sansicario's unusual location means constant exposure to the sun. Cesana Torinese is a classic Alpine village, and shares 12 lifts with Claviere, Italy's oldest resort. Montgenèvre is a valid passport and a short chairlift over the border to France, and promises long and wide-open runs. When the snow melts, summertime activities abound, such as golf, mountain biking, horseback riding and river rafting. Nearby historic attractions include the Forte di Fenestrelle, the longest fortress in Europe, and the Chaberton Fortress is the continent's highest.