Sestriere vs Courmayeur

I personally like Courmayour, but I don't think I would recommend it for beginners. Nearby La Thuille is good but may be a bit small for extended stay. The Via Lattea (Sauze/Sestriere/Montgen) has more skiing than you can do in a season, pick a town you like. Chamonix is a madhouse zoo, not a mountain village feel at all. I've heard Zermatt is nice, a friend went there few weeks ago, I've only skied the upper, crossing over from Cervinia, extremely $$$$. YMMV.

Have only Skied to Sestre from Sause the slopes would be ideal , but its a ski town and I enjoy being in Sause as its a real town small but has a range of restaurants and bars. If you stay in the town it's easy to get to the slopes. And you could ski to Sestre one day.

Sauze every time!! I'm going Wednesday 2nd for 4 nights easy flight to Turin no hassle getting to sauze roads clearer of traffic than anywhere else our car hire is £90 for 5 days cheaper than transfers! It's only an hour to resort! Hotels are cheaper than France you can pick up good deal and you have enough skiing for 4 days and go over to sestriere which is bigger but if you are beginners would suggest sauze ok! Great bars restaurants and they have happy hours with free bar food après ski it's fantastic book it !!!