A ski area directly above Aosta, reached by a gondola that leaves from beside the railway station in the middle of the city. That is the appeal, because you can stay in a Roman city with theatres, gates and a proper food culture and be on the snow in twenty minutes without a car.

The skiing is sunny and mainly intermediate with a big vertical, larch forest lower down and open terrain above, and a view across to Mont Blanc from the top. Pila itself is a small purpose built base, but staying in Aosta is much the more interesting option and the gondola runs all day. The Aosta valley pass covers several other resorts, and the food and wine in the valley are worth planning around.