Italy remains one of the best kept skiing secrets in Europe, but perhaps that's how the Italians like it. Though often overshadowed by France and Switzerland, Italy offers skiers some of the finest resorts and hotels in the Alps.

Italia has a relaxed charm and a unique Italian ambiance that is not found in other Alpine countries. With its excellent cuisine, fine wine, chic boutique shopping and sophisticated après ski night life, it's no wonder that the Italian Alps are a popular luxury winter holiday destination for the discerning skier.

And off course, skiing and snowboarding aren't the only winter sports on offer; increasingly more people who prefer not to risk life and limb by hurtling down a mountain at break neck speed are enjoying more sedate winter holidays. Snow-shoeing for example, makes for a relaxed walk on the white side; technology has come a long way and snow shoes no longer resemble unwieldy tennis rackets. New modern designs mean light weight manoeuvrable shoes, perfect for exploring snowy forested trails.

Or if you want a real work out, why not give cross-country skiing a go? This sport is the oldest form of skiing, and is one of the best forms of exercise possible. These narrow skis use soft, comfortable boots which are attached to the ski at the toe only, allowing uphill travel as well as down. The sport is good for all levels of ability, and a great way to get out and enjoy the snow at your own pace.

Italy has over 100 resorts scattered over the northern part of the country, in the Italian Alps and the jagged Dolomites. The mountains of Piedmont, where Pragelato and Sestriere are located, hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics and are a particular favourite for ski holidays.

The winter sports program of the Olympic Ski World Innsbruck reads like a wish list: easy for beginners, steep for advanced skiers and extreme for free riders. That is all available with just 1 ski pass where you ski in 9 different ski resorts.

The skiing eldorado right at Innsbruck’s doorstep comprises almost 300 kilometres of pistes and is accessible on just one ski pass for 9 ski resorts.

Only the sky seems to be the limit when you hit the slopes of Kühtai, at more than 2,000m above sea level Austria’s highest ski resort. You can add another 1,000m in altitude at the nearby Stubai Glacier. If you prefer relaxed, wide turn skiing you will find the family slopes of Glungezer, Mutterer Alm, Rangger Köpfl, Patscherkofel or Schlick 2000 ideally suited.

In the Axamer Lizum you can feel the Olympic magic skiing on the legendary downhill or giant slalom slope on the Hoadl. Where once Olympic slalom specialists left tracks in the snow, the pistes on the Birgitzköpfl now offer many different downhill variations for ski enthusiasts.

The Arlberg region is not only the birthplace of modern Alpine skiing, but also a most popular playground for Europe's Royal families. Located 4,278 – 9,223 feet above sea level the Arlberg is serviced by 85 ski lifts, 161 miles of downhill terrain, 124 miles of deep snow and glacier skiing. It has all the right ingredients for winter fun in the Austrian Alps punctuated by variety, historic charm and world class amenities.

A perfect Tyrolean town and the world’s most famous ski race "Hahnenkammrennen" define Kitzbuehel. This jewel of a town has a decades-long tradition and an international reputation that has helped define winter sports and the entire ski industry. There is probably no winter sport which cannot be practiced in Kitzbühel. The ski area is an eldorado with ninety-nine miles (160 kilometers) of manicured pistes, a top-notch funpark for snowboarders, deep-snow slopes, and mountains perfect for ski tours.

Forming the border between Germany and Austria, the Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain at exactly 2,962 metres and a magnificent winter sports resort. From skiing to ultra-modern action sports such as snowboarding in fresh powder snow - Germany's highest skiing area and its only glacial ski slopes are on the Zugspitze plateau around 350 metres below the summit.

Slovenia has dozens of well-groomed ski centers with lifts. The best known ski centers are Kranjska Gora, which hosts an annual World Cup men's slalom and giant slalom competition, and Maribor Pohorje, which hosts the annual World Cup women's slalom and giant slalom Golden Fox competition.