“DEBUTANTS! All ze debutants come zis side pleeze,” announces the ski instructor in a beautiful sing-song Italian accent. My friend Jo and I look at each other and chorus: “That’s us!”
A few minutes earlier, we were in a flat panic trying to put on our ski gear for the first time so we could shuffle to the cable car in time.
As we’re lifted higher up the mountain, we watch the impressive swooshes below from experienced skiers as they traverse the dreamy Italian slopes at Club Med Pragelato Sestriere. But when we finally hit the slopes five minutes later, we realise that, as debutants – a fancy term for newbies – we’ll be nowhere near that level of proficiency.
However, I also learned that skiing is not about mastery; it’s about enjoying nature with others.
Getting There, Settling In
Getting to Club Med Pragelato Sestriere from Milano Malpensa Airport takes just under three hours by car. Alternatively, Turin Airport is about a one-hour and 45-minute transfer, with Club Med arranging seamless transfers that remove the usual friction of mountain travel.
But it’s what happens once you arrive at the resort that defines the experience.
Set at 1 600m above sea level in Italy’s Piedmont region, the newly refurbished resort unfolds like a traditional Alpine village – a cluster of wooden chalets arranged around a central square, complete with cobbled pathways and mountain views in every direction. Originally built in the style of a Piedmontese hamlet, the resort retains an intimate, almost residential feel, despite its scale.
Globally, Club Med operates more than 20 mountain resorts across Europe and Asia, with destinations spanning France, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Canada, and China.
As the brand prepares to enter South Africa with its Durban resort, its Alpine experience continues to evolve.
From the powder-rich slopes of Hokkaido to the storied alpine villages of the French Alps, each resort offers a distinct take on the ski holiday – but all are anchored in the brand’s signature all-inclusive philosophy.
“Club Med is a global icon, not only for its excellence, but for the joy and belonging it has brought to generations of travellers. Above all, it’s a culture, a spirit, a way of living and sharing,” notes Club Med’s President and CEO, Stéphane Maquaire.
Skiing the Via Lattea
Pragelato offers direct access to the Via Lattea – the Milky Way ski area – a vast network of interconnected resorts with over 400km of slopes.
This is terrain that caters to every level of skier. Beginners can ease into the sport on gentle nursery slopes, while intermediate skiers can spend days exploring scenic runs between villages. For advanced skiers, Olympic-level pistes offer both challenge and adrenaline.
Crucially, no one is left behind. Ski and snowboard lessons are included, with instruction provided by professionals from the Italian Ski School. Guests are grouped according to ability, meaning complete beginners receive patient, foundational guidance, while more experienced skiers can refine their technique or explore the mountain with expert-led groups.
The All-Inclusive Advantage
This is where the all-inclusive model truly comes into its own.
At Pragelato, “all-inclusive” extends far beyond meals. It covers lift passes, group ski lessons, equipment storage, childcare programmes, entertainment, and a full programme of daily activities. The aim is simple: remove every logistical barrier so guests can focus entirely on the experience.
Days here settle into an easy, satisfying rhythm. Mornings begin with breakfast before heading straight onto the slopes via a cable car that departs directly from the resort.
Late mornings might be spent skiing across sunlit ridgelines or pausing at a mountain restaurant for lunch. Afternoons bring more skiing or a shift in pace: perhaps a snowshoe hike, a fitness class, or a session at the spa.
Beyond the Slopes
The resort’s main restaurant, Il Piemonte, serves up generous buffet-style spreads rooted in Piedmontese cuisine – think handmade pastas prepared to order, local charcuterie, and indulgent desserts – while La Trattoria provides a more casual setting, centred around wood-fired pizzas, antipasti, and easy aperitivo moments.
For something more traditional, La Tana leans into Alpine comfort, with rich fondue, pierrade, and local specialities paired with regional wines, such as Barolo. Beyond the resort, mountain dining becomes part of the experience, with partner restaurants on the slopes offering everything from hearty alpine fare to scenic, sit-down lunches.
While I fell more than anyone on the slopes, they were some of the best falls of my life. If you release perfection, you can actually enjoy not being good at skiing.
I found my groove when we went on a snowshoe hike. Although, as one of the other people on the hike said, “Hiking in the snow gives you a false sense of security, more than skiing,” – and it’s false because as you trudge up the mountain, you realise that sinking into the snow is not only easy, but unpredictable and mildly hilarious.
But the views from the mountains are so spectacular, they make up for any sinking, falling, or experiencing gusts of strong, unexpected winds. Which is why I was grateful for the Spa by Payot, to soothe both my bruised body and ego.
Après-ski & Evenings
By late afternoon, the resort transitions into après-ski mode. There are fireside drinks, rooftop DJ sets, and terraces that catch the last of the alpine light.
The resort is family-friendly, but every night, adults get to put on their dancing shoes and party. From welcome cocktails and live music to themed dinners and performances, the evenings unfold across multiple restaurants and bars, creating a sense of occasion throughout the stay.
As Stéphane said, “One of our core five values is freedom. Yes, we’re a ski resort, but when you get here, you can do whatever you want. You don’t have to spend 22 hours skiing if it’s not what you want to do.”
A Different Kind of Luxury
Beyond skiing, the resort offers a surprising depth of experience. There are indoor and outdoor heated pools, wellness treatments, yoga sessions, and family-focused programming that spans toddlers to teenagers.
Children can join age-specific clubs, while teens have their own social spaces and activities, allowing parents a rare balance of independence and connection.
What emerges is a particular kind of luxury – one defined not by excess, but by ease.
There is no need to plan, book, or coordinate. Equipment is ready, lessons are scheduled, meals are prepared, and entertainment unfolds organically. It’s a model that quietly redefines the ski holiday, transforming what can often be a complex, logistics-heavy trip into something fluid and intuitive.
And perhaps that is the true appeal of the resort. Not just the scale of the skiing or the beauty of the setting, but the feeling that everything has been considered, leaving you free to simply arrive, step into the rhythm of the mountains, and let the days unfold.
What I learned from attempting skiing is that it’s not about hitting the black slopes by day two. A holiday at this resort is about tailoring the experience to work for you.
My friend Jo swam and attended aqua fitness classes, while I enjoyed the spa and watched the Winter Olympics, which were on while we were there, and we both went snowshoe hiking.
As Jo said, “Friend, skiing is not our thing, and that’s okay. There’s a lot to do here beyond skiing.”
While Club Med prepares to open its first summer resort in Durban, marking a significant expansion into Africa, I realised that I love the snow and can’t wait to go back to this winter wonderland. I might still be a debutante the second time around (and maybe even the third!), but trust and believe, I will have a much-deserved après-ski.
Planning your own Alpine escape? Visit clubmed.co.za
Explore Nearby: Pinerolo
• Just 45 minutes from Club Med Pragelato Sestriere, the town of Pinerolo offers a charming counterpoint to alpine life
• Known for its elegant, arcaded streets and layered past, once serving as a strategic stronghold of the House of Savoy
• One of its most enduring traditions is the Wednesday market – among the oldest in the region
• Cultural highlights include the Chiesa di San Maurizio and the Museo Storico dell’Arma di Cavalleria
Beyond the Slopes
Skiing may be the headline, but Pragelato Sestriere offers a full Alpine experience – whether you’re slowing down, exploring, or travelling with family.
• Spa by Payot: massages, facials, hammam, and sauna, plus indoor and outdoor heated pools
• Fitness & wellness: yoga, stretching sessions, and cardio classes
• Snowshoeing: guided walks through quieter alpine trails
• Cross-country skiing: a gentler, more scenic alternative to downhill skiing
• Nature walks & excursions: explore the landscape at a slower pace
For families
• Petit Club Med (2–3): supervised play, storytelling, and quiet time
• Mini Club Med+ (4–10): creative activities, beginner sports, and outdoor fun
• Teens & Chill Pass (11–17): social spaces and group activities
• Dedicated teen zones with games, films, and snacks
Ski Guide: Understanding the Slopes
Beginner (Green & Easy Blue Slopes)
• Wide, gentle nursery slopes near the resort
• Dedicated beginner zones, including “snow gardens” for children
• Ideal for learning balance, stopping, and basic turns
• Group lessons with professional instructors
Intermediate (Blue & Red Slopes)
• Long, scenic runs connecting villages across the Via Lattea
• A mix of cruisy blues and more technical reds
• Ideal for building confidence and refining technique
Advanced (Red & Black Slopes, Olympic Runs)
• Steeper red runs requiring control and precision
• Black slopes, including Olympic pistes from the Turin 2006 Winter Games
• Off-piste opportunities (with a guide)
• Fast descents and varied conditions
