Aprica

Situated on a sunny plateau high in the Valtellina, Aprica is a friendly ski resort spread along a valley with extensive nursery areas at village level, and more advanced skiing higher up. Both novice and intermediate skiers are very well catered for here but there are also several black runs for the more advanced � the awesome Benedetti being the longest and most challenging.

This attractive resort is in the Province of Sondrio, on a pass between Lake Como and the Dolomites. At 1181m it has lift access to the pistes at almost every point and offers a wide variety of carefully prepared runs and an extensive nursery area with good skiing for all grades from beginner slopes to World Cup runs.

The wide, uncrowded runs at village level are perfect for novices and are serviced by drag and chairlifts. Intermediates can tackle the long blue runs down from the higher slopes at 1700m. Following the construction of a brand new 4 person hooded chairlift in San Pietro, there are now three main interlinking ski areas - the Magnolta, the Palabione and the Baradello. Experts will love the new area of Baradello which provides long reds and, for the adventurous, a number of exciting blacks.
Alternatively you can head to Dosso Paso, which offers the highest skiing at 2240m. From here the descent is through a superb network of runs on wide open snow fields. If you are getting a little tired, why not stop off at the large circular restaurant at the middle station for a refreshing drink.

Aprica is a well established and friendly resort, with plenty to see and do, a good choice of pizzerias, bars with karaoke, coffee shops and discos, plus saunas, a cinema and indoor swimming at the modern sports/spa centre. There is also an ice skating rink which is floodlit at night.