Photo by Ben Hodson
Before you book · planning
Hiring a car for the French and Italian Alps: six winter checks
Confirm border permission, winter tyres, fitting chains and live road information before committing to a ski holiday hire car.
The publication
Stories
Mountain stories, features and photographs from the French and Italian Alps. Places to explore and ideas for your next trip.
Photo by CK Morrison
Your first day · planning
A smoother ski holiday arrival: the checks before your first morning
Bring key collection, luggage, equipment and lesson meeting points into one arrival plan, with a clear way to update it if travel is delayed.
Photo by Giusy Laria
Winter destination guide · resorts
Bardonecchia ski guide: a railway town with two mountain choices
Choose between town and lift-side stays, understand Colomion–Melezet and Jafferau, and plan an Italian ski week that works beyond the piste map.
Photo by Ben Hodson
Plan the total · planning
How to compare ski holiday quotes and build a useful budget
Compare the same group, dates and services, then check accommodation extras, baggage, ski products and supplier terms before deciding.
Photo by Ben Hodson
Winter destination guide · resorts
Col du Lautaret winter guide: touring, snowkite and choosing a base
Plan a high-pass mountain day with the right professional, flexible conditions and a winter journey that works from either valley.
Photo by Ben Hodson
Plan a ski week · planning
A family ski week: a routine for different ages and abilities
Coordinate lessons, childcare, lunch and adult ski time with a simple daily plan, plus room for afternoons away from the slopes.
Photo by Ben Hodson
A little-known paradise for ski touring and splitboarding · explore
Névache: The Quiet Alpine Valley Ski Tourers Whisper About
Beyond the pistes and lift queues, Névache opens into one of the Southern Alps’ most beautiful winter landscapes: a protected valley of larch forests, high passes, silent refuges and wide-open terrain made for ski touring and splitboarding.
Illustrative photo · Photo by Matteo Catanese on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Pragelato winter guide: Nordic skiing, village stays and Vialattea access
Separate Nordic plans from alpine days through Pattemouche, choose the right hamlet, and build a winter holiday around Pragelato and Val Troncea.
Illustrative photo · Photo by Matteo Catanese on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Claviere ski holiday guide: a small Italian base beside the French border
Plan lessons, local skiing and possible Montgenèvre days from Claviere, with clear pass choices, village logistics and a realistic cross-border plan.
Photo by CK Morrison
Plan a ski week · planning
Your first ski holiday: decisions to make before you book
Build a first ski week around a suitable course, a workable daily routine and a complete budget, before committing to the trip.
Photo by Ben Hodson
Winter destination guide · resorts
Cervières winter guide: Nordic skiing, touring and the Izoard
How to plan a village stay around Le Laus, the Fonts valley and guided mountain days, with the right equipment and winter access.
Illustrative photo · Photo by Yoann Donzé on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Cesana Torinese winter guide: a village base between ski sectors
Plan a stay in Cesana town, understand access toward Sansicario and Claviere, and compare the full daily journey before booking a winter holiday.
Illustrative photo · Photo by Febe Vanermen on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Sansicario ski holiday guide: Borgo, Alto and a well-planned Vialattea week
Understand the difference between Sansicario Borgo and Alto, choose practical ski access, and organise a quieter base within the wider Vialattea area.
Photo by Ben Hodson
Plan a ski week · planning
Getting to Montgenèvre and Serre Chevalier: plan the whole journey
Compare flights, rail and the final transfer together, including luggage, arrival times and the return journey.
Photo by Ben Hodson
Winter destination guide · resorts
Névache winter guide: Nordic skiing, touring and a quieter week
A practical guide to choosing a Clarée base, matching the activity to the group, and checking the winter journey before you book.
Illustrative photo · Photo by michele marchesi on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Sauze d’Oulx ski holiday guide: village life, ski days and easy mornings
Choose between the village and Jouvenceaux, organise lessons and transport, and plan a Sauze d’Oulx week that balances skiing with time together.
Illustrative photo · Photo by Yoann Donzé on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Sestriere ski holiday guide: choose your base and make the week work
Compare Colle and Borgata, plan lessons and Vialattea days, and join up the journey for a ski holiday in Piedmont’s high mountain resort.
Photo by CK Morrison
Plan a ski week · planning
Book ski lessons, hire and passes in an order that works
Start with the lesson plan, then match equipment, lift access and collection times to your accommodation and arrival.
Photo by Thibaut Blais
Winter destination guide · resorts
La Grave winter guide: freeride, village stays and a plan that fits
Understand the cable-car terrain, choose a guide and base, and leave room for a different kind of ski day in the Pays de la Meije.
Illustrative photo · Photo by michele marchesi on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Pelvoux-Vallouise winter guide: alpine slopes and a valley holiday
Understand the small alpine area, separate Vallouise Nordic skiing and the practical choices that make a village stay work.
Illustrative photo · Photo by Alain Gehri on Unsplash
Winter destination guide · resorts
Puy-Saint-Vincent ski guide: choose between 1400, 1600 and 1800
Find the right base for your ski week, organise lessons and arrival, and make room for the quieter side of the Pays des Écrins.
Photo by Ben Hodson
Plan a ski week · planning
Montgenèvre or Serre Chevalier: choose the base that fits your week
Compare the daily practicalities: accommodation location, lessons, ski-pass needs and the complete journey to your base.