Last winter season will go down in Sauze d’Oulx history not only for the fantastic snow fall that pretty much gauranteed fresh powder for skiers and boarders every week but also for the slightly less publicised shift in power as far as the hotels are concerned.

Historically the tour operators have had Sauze by and large to themselves, giving the hoteliers contracts before the season started for all their beds therefore denying the independent traveller access to much of the accommodation on offer.  This changed last season and it looks likely that the change is here to stay.

Obviously you can still buy package deals to the resort and this will remain an important factor in the economic wealth of the town but with the lack of carte blanche contracts this will open Sauze up to more independantly minded skiers and boarders who aren’t necessarily looking for the box standard 1 weeks holiday. The other effect of this will be more tourists coming from outside the traditional UK/Irish base which can only add to Sauze’s already charmful character.

How will this effect Sauze? In the short term hotel owners who once relied on the safety of having the money in the bank before the season started could suffer however I predict that once they’ve found their feet and realised that there are other ‘roads to market’ then they will embrace their new found freedom.