Dominated by the mighty Matterhorn, Cervinia is one of the highest resorts in the Italian Alps. Surrounded by some of Europe’s most famous peaks, Cervinia’s ever increasing popularity is due to its fabulous snow conditions, long hours of sunshine and the variety of pistes. The compact resort centre offers plenty of opportunity for après ski activity and is partialy pedestrianised. Cervinia is closed to coaches and access to central hotels on arrival and departure day is on foot.

The extensive ski area opens up to include Zermatt in Switzerland and offers some very challenging skiing, along with a variety of pistes for all levels of skier and boarder.The combination of skiing, winter ambience and the opportunity to enjoy Italian cuisine is not one to miss!

Courmayeur needs little introduction to the keen skier and mountain enthusiast. It’s dramatic location at the foot of Mont Blanc ensures wonderful skiing in spectacular scenery, and the chic mountain town has plenty to offer skiers and non-skiers alike.

If Courmayeur were to be judged purely on its pisted runs (largely intermediate and relatively short), the skiing is quite limited in comparison to some of its larger alpine neighbours. That said, the snow quality and terrain make up for the mileage.

In true Italian style, the resort boasts a huge number of fabulous mountain restaurants. No other resort can boast the amazing statistic of having more mountain restaurants than ski lifts, with 23 eateries and 21 lifts. This not only sheds light on the Italian ski mentality, but is also one of the many reasons why Courmayeur qualifies as one of the best ski resorts in Europe.

Monterosa is a Italy’s largest ski area, named after the Monte Rosa Range, whose peaks straddle the Swiss and Italian borders. The stunning Monte Rosa peak towers at 4633m, just under 200 metres lower than the summit of Mont Blanc. The area is made up of several village resorts and is a charming taste of Italy, catering wonderfully to those who simply want to cruise the pistes and also to those who love big mountain skiing.

Though the flavour is resolutely up-market Italian, the valleys have a cosmopolitan background, having been settled hundreds of years ago by people migrating south from Germany and Switzerland. Pockets of a Germanic language can still be found and the architecture is sometimes more Swiss then Italian.

Monterosa was originally famous for its off piste skiing and still draws many skiers from all across Europe for off piste skiing and for Heli-skiing. Strictly limited or banned in other parts of the Alps, Heli-skiing is still widely practiced in Italy and Monterosa has become a magnet for those wishing to take to the skies in search of the perfect line.

Sestriere was made famous as the host of the 1997 World Championships and also ran many of the events at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games. Due to it’s high altitude terrain the resort boasts plenty of snow and pistes suitable for all level of skier. With steep terrain and off-piste for advanced skiers, great scope for intermediates and a good set up for beginners, all supported by a continually improving lift system, Sestriere has become a popular ski destination.

The village itself was one of the first purpose built resorts in the Alps, and as such is not particularly attractive. However the stunning scenery makes up for the lack of charm. Add to this the extensive facilities in resort, a range of non-skiing activities,a good range of restaurants and up-tempo nightlife and you have an excellent ski resort.