Italy

At times it seems that each Italian resort has its own individual charm and lifestyle. Take the Aosta valley. The predominant language might be French, but on any given trip you're likely to hear people speaking a dialect of German in the towns of Gressoney and Alagna. Yet if there is one thing that unites these occasionally disparate regions, it is the incredible food. It remains a major draw when planning a ski trip to Italy. After all, where better to sample your favourite pasta than on top of a mountain in the country where it was invented? There are other definite advantages of booking a trip to Italy. As a general rule, ski holidays in Italy are less expensive than in the neighbouring countries of France, Austria and Switzerland – without compromising standards. The Italian Alps are just as beautiful as the rest of the range and the less well-known Dolomites are equally stunning with steeper and craggier peaks dominating the skyline. The snow is just as white, the locals friendlier, the lift queues smaller and the fun times are, like everywhere, what you make them. For the serious European skier, used to the obvious Austrian, French and Swiss choices, a trip to sample the charms of our Italian neighbours really is a must.

• The Mountains