Cervinia is perhaps the UK's most popular resort in Italy, and it's largely down to the extensive, very snow-sure slopes, ideal for beginners and intermediates who like soaking up the sun over a long lunch. The resort itself is no beauty, but the alpine vistas around the Matterhorn more than make up for any man-made shortcomings.

For those who prefer a challenge, Cervinia links over to Zermatt, where there are plenty of black runs to keep die- hards amused. Though it is nigh on impossible to access parts of the Zermatt and get back over in time for the last lift. For Cervinia slopes read super-long cruisey reds and blues, perfect for bombing along and improving confidence.

Off-piste, you're better off elsewhere, although there are good opportunities around Cieloalto. If you're into your parks, pipes and boardercross, you're in more luck as there's all three on the Cervinia side at Plan maison and another park and pipe just over the Swiss border on the Klein Matterhorn section.

Down in resort there's a host of hotels to choose from. Many locals opt for the B & B option and take advantage of the fifty plus restaurants to pick from. Half-board is often more economical, but you may have to put up with throngs of package groups, a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. Self-catering is the other option as catered chalets are non-existent here.

Nightlife options exist, but are limited and the resort is quieter than many perceive. When you consider the style of skier/boarder likely to grace the relatively tame slopes, it may explain the lack of wild partying which goes hand in hand with those who throw themselves down a hill, if not off it. In that sense the resort suits plenty of people down to the ground and they keep coming back for the secure knowledge they will not have to push themselves overboard.