Sestriere — Italy

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The resort’s status as the mainstay for the 2006 Winter Olympics acted as a catalyst to improvement, but it is still very much a work in progress. When Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli commissioned the building of Sestriere in 1934 he was seen as a pioneer, and yet the design is such that access to the slopes is not particularly convenient! The resort itself is still scruffy and lacking in charm, and it doesn’t really get lively until the weekend when the locals arrive from Turin and Milan. There are also very few facilities beyond the slopes.
 
The north-west facing slopes are more reliable than a lot of the other resorts in the Milky Way ski area and recent additions to the lift facilities have improved the experience for skiers and boarders. With over 400km of terrain accessible there is a lot of great skiing here, but just be sure to check the snow reports before booking and expect an ‘ugly duckling’!