Cortina d'Ampezzo is one of Italy's most famous and extensive ski resorts. The town staged the Winter Olympics in the 1950s and is a popular stop on the World Cup skiing circuit for the women's speed disciplines.

It can boast interesting slopes for all levels of skier and, as one of the historic ski resorts in the 'Best of the Alps' group, offers a wide range of accommodation of all styles and standards.

Yet outside Italy and the neighboring countries, the resort is not particularly well-known. Other ski areas such as the Val Gardena feature in the holiday company brochures, while Cortina remains very much the favorite of the independent skier.

The stunning scenery of the Dolomites around Cortina d'Ampezzo should put it high up in the list of top European resorts. Add the variety of skiing in three different areas to that and the town deserves to be on the 'to-ski' list of every winter holidaymaker.