Sauze d'Oulx, Italy

Located high on the sunny Balcony of the Susa Valley and surrounded by the neighbouring slopes of the Milky Way, this lively alpine village makes for the perfect retreat to the Italian Alps. The famous après-ski culture alongside fantastic skiing conditions sees all levels of skiers and boarders returning here year after year.

Just an hour's transfer from Turin airport, the ease of travel to the resort means skiers can be out on the slopes soon after they touch down. Set on the steep mountain side, ski buses run regularly through the town making it a breeze to get around so first-timers won't be daunted by the mountain before even getting to grips with their skies.

The town is small and spread out with the main resort centre accommodating the lively après-ski and the cobbled streets of the old town emanating some authentic Italian culture. Abound with traditional Italian cuisine the foodies of the group will appreciate the many gastronomic delights, from casual pizzerias and spaghetti houses to rustic Italian dishes. With a range of shops from clothing boutiques to traditional Italian groceries and other activities such as ice-skating, snowshoe excursions and even a cinema there's a wide variety of activities to enjoy.

No longer the Ibiza on the slopes that it was branded in the 70's, the town now has a more refined feel and has been able to maintain its party atmosphere with a wider clientele. Keen young skiers, families and Italian weekenders head to Sauze for the wide variety of activities available on and off the slopes.

The variety and expanse of well-groomed terrain to explore is expanded with the Milky Way lift pass giving you access to the network of slopes, you can even take a trip over the Franco-Italian border to the French resort of Montgenevre.

Tree-lined plateaus, wide lengths of varied terrain and beautiful scenery make up the skiing here. Beginners will find the nursery slopes at the foot of the Clotes chair and the lift takes you to the main ski area at Sportina where lessons also take place. You don't have to conquer the lift process before even having the snow under your ski's- regular shuttle buses provide an easy ride for beginners to get out on to the piste. After acing the ski lift, take the chair up to blue 42, connecting to number 30 for a breezy run back to Sportina.

Like most of the Milky Way, this is an intermediates playground. Skiers will enjoy the long winding motorway runs and tree-lined, sunny plateaus to cruise down throughout their days. Intermediate runs link Sauze d'oulx to the rest of the neighbouring slopes for a seemingly never-ending piste to explore. For an early morning excursion, try an easy run down red 11 and explore the rest of the piste from the lift.

Advanced skiers are well catered for in the Milky Way ski area - take a scenic route over to Sestriere to put yourself to the test on the professional Kandahar slalom and Banchetta runs for some explosive action. Connecting to the neighbouring slopes of the Milky Way there is a vast galaxy of slopes to explore over in neighbouring Sestriere and you can also take a day trip over the French border to Montgenevre. There's also some exciting off-piste to explore between the trees, hiring a mountain guide is the best way to explore the untouched terrain.

The chilled Italian vibe and well-groomed terrain attracts many boarders to the resort and the double black Snow Park at Rio valley was built for the Olympics and gives freestylers a great way to test their tricks.

Infamously known as the best area for après ski in the Italian Alps, there's something for everyone here, from chilled out cocktail bars to cosy balcony café's and lively party places. Having disposed of its previous branding as the Ibiza on the slopes, the resort has a much more refined feel, whilst maintaining the dynamic après atmosphere.

The modern resort centre is where the liveliest après take place: ski down the home-run to Sportina and head straight from the slopes to Capanna Mulino, a slope -side bar that's perfect for a sunny pint. As soon as the ski boots are off, head to Miravello bar for a crepe and some causal drinks before going over to Moncrons for cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere. Cotton club is one of the most popular bars in the area - drink and mingle the night away with some live music or party on in to the early hours at The Club.

In true Italian style, the Italian Alps is enriched by gastronomic delights. Family friendly pizza parlours such as La Griglia and typically Italian spaghetti houses make for a casual evening meal of amazing food. Sugo's is an absolute must with delicious spaghetti dishes at really good value.

If you're looking for some rustic Italian charm, stroll along the cobbled streets of the old town. Much more refined than the modern centre, the old town has a number of authentic restaurants offering a more sophisticated feel. Del Falco and L'ortica are two exceptional restaurants and another refined atmosphere is found at the Il Lampino wine bar - this rustic setting is perfect for a relaxed evening in a cosy ambience.

Non-skiers are well-catered for with a number of activities such as ice-skating, snowshoe excursions through the woods and some tour operators organise trip to watch Ac Milan football matches