Just 2 kilometres from the Italian border stands the picturesque resort of Montgenèvre-the only French departure point among the 400 kms of pistes in the "Via Lattea" region. Although the return to Sestrières, the central resort of this ski area, is quite difficult, Montgenèvre nonetheless offers a vast expanse of pistes that provide access to the ""Voie Lactée" ["Milky Way"] for skiers of all levels. The only flat note is that, although their lifts are gradually being replaced, they are occasionally jammed with crowds of skiers.