Located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, on a plateau in the southern ranges of the eastern Alps, Piancavallo ski resort caters to all skill levels. Host to several World Cup championships, including freestyle competitions, Piancavallo is particularly popular with young skiers and snowboarders.

Piancavallo is only 20 years old and is a well-planned, purpose-built ski resort with ski-in/ski-out accessibility. Despite its modernity, Piancavallo is pleasing on the eye and has a traffic-free centre as well as excellent facilities and shopping, including a large covered shopping area.

There are 7,500 beds available in hotels, chalets and apartments, catering to all budgets. Piancavallo has plenty of non-ski activities and dozens of cafés and restaurants both on and off the mountain, while numerous bars and discos make for a lively après-ski.

Piancavallo’s 27 modern and well-maintained beginner and intermediate level pistes radiate out from the village and stretch over a 700m vertical descent. Some slopes are carved out of the woods, offering interesting slides; additionally, 18 lift systems, consisting of chairlifts and surface lifts, operate over all pistes.

Away from the slopes, Belluno, backed by the ragged peaks of the Dolomites and dominating the confluence of the rivers Piave and Ardo, is a pretty place to wander. Pordenone is also a pleasant town, known for its shopping, interesting old buildings and public parks on the banks of the river.

Piancavallo ski resort’s season runs from December to March, and cheap rates are offered in mid-December and March; children get a 30 per cent reduction. Flying to Treviso and taking a train to Aviano, and then a bus from there to the resort, is the most convenient travel option.