First snow at Sestriere and across the Vialattea mountains: Piedmont woke up covered in white after a sharp temperature drop. On Friday, October 9, the weather system affecting the region brought the first autumn flakes to the Colle del Sestriere and nearby peaks, while heavy rain and thunderstorms caused flooding and disruption, particularly in the Asti area. The snow line fell locally to around 1,600–1,700 meters, giving a first taste of winter to resorts in the Upper Susa Valley and the Chisone Valley.

At the Colle, 2,035 meters above sea level, there was a light dusting, while higher summits in the Vialattea recorded greater accumulations. Webcam images show the landscape transformed by the season’s first snow, a symbolic sign that the ski facilities’ opening is approaching.

After a period of relatively mild conditions and a need to replenish water reserves, the precipitation can help moisten the soil and prepare the high-altitude snowpack. However, whether there will be a reliable base for the slopes will depend on the coming weeks and temperature trends.

This snowfall is not unusual for the time of year: in Sestriere the first dustings can arrive as early as September or October. Still, the return of snow to Piedmont’s mountains is a welcome development for tourism operators and ski enthusiasts as the winter season approaches.