Situated between the magnificent Mont Blanc (Europe’s highest peak) and the Mount Rutor Glacier, family-friendly La Thuile ski resort is linked with the French resort of La Rosiere, via the Little St Bernard Pass, and offers 155kms of superb pistes for beginner to advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Half of La Thuile town is purpose-built for the skiing industry (Planibel) while the other half, the old town, retains its mining roots. Lodgings can mainly be found in hotels and pensions and there are over 2,000 beds available. Cafés and restaurants are plentiful and children’s facilities are excellent.

Sixty-one runs over 155kms of groomed slopes, with a longest run of 11kms, are divided into 44 per cent beginner slopes; 36 per cent, intermediate; and 20 per cent for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Thirty-seven ski lifts have a capacity for 49,000 people per hour and, in addition, there are 20kms of cross-country trails.

Apart from the regular skiing, there is also heli-skiing and two kilometres of winter walking trails. Other activities and facilities include: squash; indoor bowling; sauna, indoor and outdoor swimming; fitness centres; and an amusement arcade. The larger hotels offer nightly entertainment and there are bars and discos in Planibel.

The December to May ski season has its best conditions from February to mid-March and cheaper rates pre-Christmas holidays, after the New Year celebrations and from mid-March (barring Easter).

The most practical way to get to La Thuile ski resort and away is to fly to either Turin or Geneva and transfer by bus or train/bus combination. The resort is 1 hour, 30 minutes away from either airport by hire car.