Val di Fassa, Italy

Fassa is nestled in the heart of the Dolomites in North Eastern Italy. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s surrounded by the Sassolungo, Marmolado and Sella massifs – some of the Dolomites’ most striking peaks. Make sure you catch them at sunrise or sunset at least once: the sight of the sun reflecting on the mountains is breathtaking.

Made up of 9 ski areas and 7 resorts, it’s a lovely spot for a relaxing week away; as well as a gentle pace on the slopes, the villages have a fun and friendly feel.

The valley has kept its charm with traditional Tyrolean architecture housing cosy hotels and chalets. Modern lifts, sports centres and excellent childcare services cater for all kinds of holiday. Like the rest of Italy, Fassa is a foodies heaven where you can enjoy unforgettable Italian classics in numerous huts on the mountains and throughout the villages.

Canazei is the largest and liveliest town, with oodles of character and some of the best bars for a post-slope pick me up. The cobbled streets of neighbouring Campitello ooze mountain charm, with the Ischia sports centre a lively hub for activities. Pozza di Fassa is a small peaceful village, made luxuriously unique by the sulphurous waters below - the thermal baths at the Central Termi Dolomiti makes this spa town an idyllic spot. Vigo sits high in the mountains with a direct link down in to the wonderful Ciampic valley whilst with fairy-tale surroundings between the Fassa and Fiemme Valleys, Moena is the perfect base for skiing the Trevalli ski area. Sunny Mazzin is surrounded by the wonderland forest of the Val Udai and you’ll find pure tranquillity in Fassa’s oldest village, family-friendly Soraga. A free ski bus runs through the Valley making it really easy to explore the resorts and discover the Dolomites further afield.

The Val di Fassa/ Carezza pass gives access to the smaller, uncrowded resorts of Campitello, Canazei and Pozza for leisurely days of cruising. To clock up more miles and explore the fantastic Dolomites further afield, you can upgrade to the Dolomiti Superski pass.

The ski areas here are rarely crowded and the unhurried pace makes them ideal for confidence boosting. Beginners will appreciate the easy-going pace in the area. There are nursery slopes in every village and first-timers will get a great introduction in the hands of the ski schools. Most schools also have children’s clubs with special activities and apparatus to introduce the little ones to the snow.

The main ski areas are best suited to experienced skiers with the majority of runs graded red. You’ll find exciting steep verticals on the Marmolada and a number of gentle cruisers at Col Rodella and Alta Badia. The red Panoramica on Buffaure at Pozza is the longest in the valley at 6km - its highlight is in the name, a must-ski for the breathtakingly scenic backdrop.

A major highlight here is the Sella Ronda circuit, which covers 4 valleys and 3 provinces – all in under a day. You’ll need to upgrade to the Dolomiti Superski pass and it’s best to set off before 10 so you can squeeze in a few mountain hut pit stops.

There are a number of challenging descents for experts - gain speed on the black Aloch at Pozza (night skiing is also held here), ski the steepest slope in Carezza’s black King Laurin (which has a 65% gradient) or enjoy a bit of competition on Canazei’s self-timer run.

In terms of freestyle, the Dolomite Park at Belvedere-Canazei is accessible via the Canazei cable-car and the Sanpe park sits at 2000m on the San Pellegrino Pass. There’s a border cross at Morea and Lusia located on the southern side and the Christomannos is uniquely located in a UNESCO heritage site.

There’s a charming Italian vibe in all the resorts within the valley.

Make sure you try the local tipple of choice - the Bombardino. This blend of advocaat and hot brandy is enough to warm every skier. The Grolla is another one to try, this sharing goblet of grolla and espresso will give you an extra little kick on the snow.

If you’re looking for a vibrant après scene, Canazei is the place to stay. There’s heaps of lively bars in the centre of the town - ski straight down the home run into Après ski Paradis and head to L’husky for cocktails.

Traditional restaurants scatter the mountains offering a delicious taste of the local cuisine meaning food lovers are in for a treat. There’s a huge range of mouth-watering dishes to try including local meats and cheeses; look out for Birramisù on the menu – it’s tiramisu made with beer and it tastes amazing.

Restaurants and bars line the cobbled streets of Campitello- its easy going vibe attracts those wanting relaxing evenings, ready for a long day on the piste.

Pozza di Fassa is ideal for a week of relaxation, the thermal baths at Central Termi Dolomiti are unique to the area and make the perfect place to wind down in the evening after a long day on your legs.

Campitello is home to the Ischia sports centre, this large complex has numerous sports facilities for football, basketball and mini golf and more.

The awesome scenery makes it a favourite destination for winter trekking and cross country skiing. There’s also the opportunity to do snow-shoeing and sleigh riding- these can usually be booked through the ski schools or accommodation.