The resort of La Thuile is a mix of old and new, having developed from several small Aosta Valley hamlets, but with a large modern slopeside complex.

La Thuile's French-sounding name underlines the fact that it is located right on the French border, and indeed is one of only two Italian ski resorts to share an international ski area with a neighbouring French resort - in La Thuile's case, La Rosière.

The lift figures, which show a capacity of more than 50,000 skiers per hour for the combined area, reflect an investment in high-speed, high-capacity, modern lifts which normally make getting around the exciting San Bernardo ski area an efficient and painless experience.

Resort elevation: 1,450m (4,757ft).

Top elevation: 2,642m (3,757ft).

Base elevation: 1,450m (8,668ft).

Number of lifts: 37.

Number of runs: 74.

Average annual snowfall: 5.5m (18ft).

La Thuile is in the Aosta Valley of the Alps, on the western side of northern Italy, right on the border with France.

The season runs from late November until late April.

La Thuile has excellent skiing for all ability levels, extending to a world-class 150km (93 miles) of runs thanks to its cross-border lift link to La Rosière in France. If that's still not enough you can buy an Aosta Valley Pass which covers several dozen small to medium resorts in the area (linked by public bus service), altogether offering 1,200km (750 miles) of runs. 

Beginners have their own ski area at the base of the mountain, with its own lifts and separated off from the through-flow of more experienced skiers and boarders moving up and down the mountain. Intermediates, as usual for a large ski area, have the most to enjoy, with 41% of the terrain made up of red runs and some glorious cruisers up to 11km (7 miles) long.  

Experts have much more choice than usual with 29 black runs covering 25km (16 miles) of the mountain; the steepest, Le Defi (run 27), pitches at a stomach-dropping 71%. There's also plenty of excellent off-piste terrain after a snowfall comes in from nearby Mt Blanc.

Heli-skiing is big in La Thuile, in large part because skiers from many leading resorts on the French side of the border (where heli-skiing is banned) near La Rosière, such as Les Arcs and Val d'Isère, can ski over and fly up. Heli-skiers and boarders are taken up to the summit of the Rutor glacier (3,486m/11,437ft) or the Miravidi glacier (3,051m/10,009ft) where an Alpine guide leads the way down through spectacular scenery. For France-based skiers the descent from Rutor glacier arrives back at the Moroir village, 2,200 vertical metres (7,200ft)  below in France (1,220m/4,003ft) in time for lunch in a typical Savoyard restaurant. The heli-skiing season usually runs from New Year's Day until the end of May.

Most non-snow activities are concentrated in the Planibel complex where the Sports Club has a gym, indoor pool, squash courts, climbing wall, sauna and solarium.

Outdoor possibilities include ice climbing and snowshoe hike by day or night. There are 6km (3.5 miles) of cleared winter hiking trails and a short toboggan hill.

Children from birth to age three can be taken care of in Il Grande Albero daycare, Frazione Villaret 1. There is also a Miniclub, free of charge, for children aged four to 12 at Planibel.

On the snow there is a snow playground and a free beginners lift and carousel lift available.

La Thuile is not big on shopping, although there are more than 20 stores spread around the resort. These offer the usual ski resort selection of ski shops, mini markets and souvenir outlets.

The nearest market town is the regional capital, Aosta, 42km (26 miles) away by bus.

La Thuile has more than 20 bars, mostly in the hotels, and is not usually a hot spot for nightlife. But a good place to start the evening is Chocolat, Località Entrèves 2, where you can enjoy home-made ice cream or the signature chocolate tometta and chocolate fondue.

La Bricole Disco Pub, Frazione Entrèves, offers quality beers and cocktails from 1700 right through to 0400 (happy hour from 1700 to 1900). In the Planibel complex, the Fantasia Disco can be busy in the small hours, particularly at weekends.

There are about 30 places to eat in and around La Thuile including much better establishments than the average. This being Italy, pizza and pasta are going to be good, and they're home-made at La Lisse, Frazione Arly, as is the focaccia, raclette and fondue, plat gourmet and grilled meats. Le Rascard, Frazione P Goletta 103, has a traditional wood stove for its pizza and even does a chocolate variety.

La Neige, Strada Stata 26, is 10km (6 miles) from town but just off Piste 7 on the ski map. It serves regional cuisine including typical cold cuts and cheese. Back in the Planibel complex A La Lune offers Tuscan and Aosta Valley specialities.

If it's possible to have enough Italian food, Pepita Café, Frazione Entrèves, offers Tex-Mex cuisine (although they also do pizza). Look out for the totem pole 200m (660ft) from the resort centre of La Thuile.

La Thuile is quite spread out so its worth checking where accommodation is in relation to lifts and the village centre. A free ski bus service does circulate around the area however.

The fully restored spa centre of Pré-Saint-Didier (www.termedipre.it) offers various massage treatments, sauna and Turkish bath and expands over 500 sq m (5,400 sq ft). The water emerges with a temperature between 30 and 40°C (86 to 104°F) from the ground inside an artificial cave, situated at the bottom of the Gorge of Pré-Saint-Didier, 10km (6 miles) from La Thuile.

Luxury

Hotel Dora
Recently refurbished 4-star hotel in the centre of the old village with sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, hammam and relaxation area.

Via Piccolo San Bernardo 3
Tel: (0165) 883 084.
Website: www.hoteldora.net

Moderate

Chalet Alpina
Well located close to lifts, shops, bars, restaurants and offers inclusive ski packages on request.

Frazione Arly 42
Tel: (0165) 884 187.
Website: www.chaletalpina.it

Budget

Hotel Piccolo San Bernardo
Family-run, recently renovated, non-smoking hotel. A new traditional Aostan menu is offered weekly.

Via Marcello Collomb 18
Tel: (0165) 884 539.
Website: www.albergovalledaosta.com

Nearest airports: Geneva (GVA); Turin (TRN); Milan (MXP).

Distances to resort: 120km (75 miles); 150km (93 miles); 200km (125 miles).

Driving times: 2 hours; 2 hours 30 minutes; 3 hours.

Nearest railway station: Pré Saint Didier.

Distance to resort: 10km (6 miles).

Driving time: 15 minutes.

Beginners, Intermediates, Snow reliability, Experts, Snowboarders, Families