Skiing holidays are exciting when they are spent at top resorts such as the four described below.

LAVIGNO is an Italian ski resort just south of the Swiss border in the Valtellina alpine valley. Being a duty-free resort with over 200 tax-free shops and more than 100 hotels, it is an excellent choice for those looking for such shopping bargains. It is one of Europe’s highest villages, has good snow conditions, has all levels of runs, and is close to St. Moritz. It is also popular with snowboarders and cross country skiers. You can enjoy snowmobiling and tobogganing as well as ice skating, bowling, etc.

There are approximately 100 restaurants with every type of cuisine, about as many bars, and two nightclubs in Lavigno. That contributes to a busy night life and a party atmosphere at usually cheap prices.

SERRE CHEVALIER in the southern French Alps has four ski areas that are connected by ski runs, buses, a lift system, cable cars, and six gondolas. All levels of skiing ability are available including cross country trails. There are nursery slopes, beginner’s ones with an excellent ski school, intermediate ones, and advanced ones with a long Olympic run and the exhilarating Isolee black run.

Serre Chevalier is the southern Alps’ largest winter sports complex and is one of France’s top snowboarding destinations. In the summer months the outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, hang gliding, canoeing, night skiing, and more.

ARABBA is a tiny traditional Italian village but is also one of the most famous resorts on the ski circuit. It is at the top of Val Livinallongo and offers 41% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 14% expert runs among its 50 slopes. It has good protection from the high mountains and a good quality of snow.

Arabba’s restaurants serve mostly Italian and traditional cuisine, and there are some lively bars. There is a snowboarding park, ice skating, swimming, and more.

Further down the valley, archaeological finds revealed inhabitants dating back over 10,000 years.

LA THUILE is actually in the northern Italian Alps but is on the French border and shares a ski area with a neighboring French resort. The combined area has a capacity of over 50,000 skiers per hour. There are all ability levels with beginners having their separate ski area and lifts. Experts have 29 black runs over 16 miles including the Le Defi which pitches at 71%.

Heli-skiing is popular, especially with its being banned in France. Those skiers are taken up to the top of the Rutor glacier and led back down by Alpine guides, ending up 7,200 feet below. There is snowshoe hiking, a short toboggan hill, and other outdoor activities.

La Thuile has old small hamlets but also a large modern complex. The Sports Club has an indoor pool, sauna, solarium, gym, squash courts, and a climbing wall. In about 30 eating places you can find such Italian cuisine as home-made pizza, pasta, and focaccia. There is also a Disco Pub.

If you take the children, you will find a day care, Miniclub, a snow playground, and a carousel lift.