VAL GARDENA ITALY

BEST FOR: GUARANTEED SNOW

The Dolomites are a staggeringly beautiful mountain range in northern Italy where the valley of Val Gardena meets the charming villages of Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva.

It has the best snow-making system in the world, which means excellent conditions, even in poor winters. The incentive to improve your skiing is provided by the choice restaurants that cling to the slopes. They come in the form of mountain huts spread out between the Dolostone buttresses. The red dolomite stone enhances the colour of the setting sun, adding another dimension to an already extraordinary scene.

Lift systems are user-friendly and designed to reduce the amount of walking. After a few days learning, aim to make it up to the Sofie Hütte seceda.com at 2,500m for a fantastic mountain lunch. The butter spinach ravioli is delicious and should always be followed by the kaiserschmarrn (shredded sweet pancake) that will set anyone up for a fine afternoon’s skiing.

Ski and Snowboard School Selva offers a three-hour learn-to-ski session. The course is only available on Saturdays with a maximum of three pupils in each class and offers 20 per cent discount on ski rental.

La Stua la-stua.com in Selva is great for après-ski, especially on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights when a live band performs.

Stay in the four-star Hotel Laurin hotel-laurin.it, with its spa and excellent restaurant.

THE DETAIL Three-hour class with Ski and Snowboard School Selva costs from £92pp. A six-day beginner course (20 hours) and ski rental, costs £280pp. Six-day lift passes cost £225pp. scuolasciselva.com