Alagna Valsesia, Monterosa Ski , Italy

Alagna is a lovely, picturesque village, sedate and quiet with very limited après-ski. Some people would readily describe it as one of the Alps' 'hidden gems'. That's for one big reason - the off-piste. Once you're off the limited runs, there are massive snowfields that offer the powder/off-piste skier just about everything they could want. A guide is an extremely worthwhile investment and if the conditions are right they can arrange heli-drops. The guides are excellent at Alagna and some of our reporters have gone as far as saying that the off-piste 'rivals anything that the French have'. This is a truly massive accolade. Alagna provides 23km of its own slopes.

The on-piste runs are rather limited, however from December 2004 a new cable car should be opening that will link up the resort with neighbouring Gressoney and the Monterosa Ski area.

Overall, Alagna is the place if you want to get serious about your skiing, without the hindrance of piste markings and excessive après-ski. The other alternative in Italy worth considering is Arabba…

Our Ratings

Overall
Atmosphere
Pistes
Aprés-Ski