| When it comes to snow sports, Italians tend to be a | | | | beautiful mountains are an ongoing draw. |
| little more laid back with their skiing compared to | | | | Italy has over 100 resorts scattered throughout the |
| their French, Swiss or Austrian cousins. In Italy, rather | | | | northern part of the country, in the Italian Alps, and |
| than queuing to catch the first lift to the summit, | | | | the jagged Dolomites. With plenty of cheap flights to |
| skiers are more likely to rise late, take a long lunch | | | | Milan, the city is one of the gateways to Italian ski |
| and finish early for an après ski Peroni beer, a | | | | resorts, with a number of superb options less than |
| glass of Cinzano or a shot of dark espresso. On a | | | | three hours' drive from the airport. |
| sunny day, you're likely to find more sun seekers | | | | Bardonecchia, the French border town which hosted |
| than snow seekers, and it's not uncommon to see | | | | snowboarding events for the 2006 Olympics, is a |
| people stripped down to the briefs and bikinis, sitting | | | | truly authentic Italian experience with tree lined |
| on a slope-side sun deck soaking up the rays. | | | | streets and rustic chalets. Cervinia, has a long ski |
| Italy is normally overshadowed as a ski destination | | | | season running from December to May, and is also |
| by the better known ski resorts in France, | | | | linked to Zermatt in Switzerland, meaning you can |
| Switzerland and Austria, but the Italians have a | | | | pop over the border for lunch, should you feel the |
| superb selection of their own resorts and are | | | | need for a chunk of Swiss chocolate! |
| perhaps happy to keep their skiing secrets to | | | | One of the more recent favourites with British skiers |
| themselves. | | | | is the duty free ski town of Livingo. Known for its |
| However, as hosts of the 2006 winter Olympics | | | | lively nightlife, (not surprisingly fuelled by the |
| which took place in and around Torino (Turin), Italy | | | | availability of duty free alcohol), wide open and |
| has proven itself worthy of competing as a ski | | | | expansive pistes and one of the best terrain parks in |
| destination in the international arena and for many | | | | Italy, the resort tends to attract a young crowd |
| clued-in Brits, Italy's laid back attitude to life, love of | | | | looking for a great value destination with superb |
| fine food and wine, good value for money and | | | | skiing and snowboarding. |