Italy was traditionally the cheap option for those wanting to ski the Alps. This is still true, but increasingly Italy is having to earn its spurs for the calibre of its skiing not just its value. Italy's skiing spreads from the French border in the west, to the stunning Dolomites in the east, with French, Italian and German spoken in different areas.
Italian skiing includes some of the world's great domains, with the SuperDolomiti region and the Milky Way offering hundreds of kilometres of lift-linked slopes. Facilities are improving but, compared to other countries, the infrastructure needs updating. This is true for most Italian resorts.
Italians see skiing as a friendly and relaxed affair, involving eating, drinking and sunbathing. Add to that stylish and sophisticated nightlife as city folk flood in for the weekends and the Italian Alpine experience has its own charm and pace. But be warned. Childcare is not up to the standards met elsewhere, as granny usually comes along to look after the kids.
Overall, Italy has some great skiing and apres-ski, in a more laid-back fashion than elsewhere in the Alps. It is still good value but to continue to compete it will need to invest heavily in more state-of-the-art equipment to maximise its terrain.
France 
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