Cortina Ski Resort

Cortina ski resort is one of the world's classic ski areas and is part of an exclusive club, with a dozen members in five countries, branding themselves the ‘Best in the Alps.’ Cortina is the only Italian member of the club and indeed the only resort not technically in the Alps, as it’s location in the Dolomites attests. Cortina was also the 1956 winter Olympics host and an early location for the James Bond movie franchise during the Sean Connery years.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, to give the resort its full title, is an attractive old mountain town beneath truly beautiful mountains. Many come here just to be seen, so if you're serious about your skiing you should get in plenty of ski time on the often empty slopes.

That said, some believe Cortina has rested on its laurels through recent decades and that the on-piste options are limited for better skiers. There's no doubt, however, that for beginners and intermediates it's a wonderful resort - and scenically there are few in the world to compare, especially at sunset when the peaks turn every shade of mauve, pink and purple.

Unfortunately, most of Cortina's ski areas are only linked by bus, which can be a slow and frustrating way of getting to the slopes – especially in ski boots. There again you do also have access to the mighty Dolomiti Superski area, which covers more than 1,200km (750 miles) of pistes and around 450 lifts.