Sauze d'Oulx ski resorts and lodges

Pronounced SOW-ZEE-DOO and usually just straight 'Sauze' to those who know and love her, the resort also offers a much better than average sunshine record. Add to that the much better than average skiing, located as it is at one end of the 400km (250 mile) lift-linked Via Lattea (to the Italians), or Voie Lactée (to the French) or Milky Way to the English. What Sauze lacks, in common with many Italian resorts, is much to do apart from ski and drink.

Sauze's own skiing is largely on intermediate level slopes below the tree line so there is thick forest all around, but Italy's original high-altitude purpose built centre at Sestrière is just over the mountain.

• Vertical Drop: 1,330m/4,363'
• Top Elevation: 2,823m/9,262'
• Lifts: 26 (9 chairs, 17 surface)
• Total Runs: 40 (110 km)