Passo Tonale

Passo Tonale is a great place if you are on a tight budget, particularly for beginners and timid intermediates, with the link to Ponte di Legno, over the pass to the west, offering added interest for the more adventurous.

It's high altitude and extensive snow making give a long season, an advanced lift system means you're rarely waiting in queues, excellent Italian hospitality and food, and long hours of sunshine all add up to give an impressive number of selling points.

It's not uncommon to find good quality main meals in the local restaurants for less than a pint of beer would set you back in many French resorts, while supermarkets and equipment rental are equally good value.

In addition, a 6 day adult pass will set you back around €50 less than you would expect in many other European resorts of a similar standard.

Sat in the pass between Trentino and Lombardy; the resort is primarily spread along one road, with access all the way from the Presena glacier at 3000m right down to Pontedilegno and Temù at barely over 1000m, linked in recent years by new gondola connections.

Most runs are on the sunny, south-facing side of the pass served largely by chairlifts. A cable car on the other side leads to a chair and drag-lifts on the high Presena glacier with guaranteed good snow and summer skiing.

The resort has historically been popular with Brits and school groups as well as Italian families, though it's growing reputation as offering affordable but high quality skiing is widening its appeal to anyone seeking good beginner and intermediate skiing.

It offers good beginner and easy slopes, with praise going to the ski school – which has lots of English-speaking instructors.