Bardonecchia is one of the 3 original villages in Italy (together with Claviere and Sauze d'Oulx) where modern skiing was invented and first taught at the end of the 19th century.

Bardonecchia is a large town, based around the station. It offers good value eateries and accommodation, lovely scenery and friendly locals. It is a short transfer from Turin (90 minutes) but that can mean considerable weekend crowds. The resort takes on two personalities - deserted in the week, overrun at the weekend.

This is particularly true of the après-ski/nightlife. The skiing itself is quite substantial, with 140km of pistes. These are shared between three areas, two of which are lift-linked. You'll need a bus to get to all of the lifts. Most of the slopes are geared towards intermediates. Beginners' pistes are quite tough and families with little kids might not find it the most suitable base.

The snow can be rather unreliable, as can the lifts, which are quite antiquated. If you are in Bardonecchia during the week, you should find it a very accessible intermediate ski experience.

Locality:

Bardonechia is located in NW Italy, on the extreme W edge of its Piemonte region, in Torino province. It is positioned at the top of the Susa Valley, where both motorway and railway enter their respective Frejus tunnels into France. Bardonechia is 8 mls from nearest town of Oulx, 54 mls W of Turin, 138 mls SW of Milan airports.

It is set on gently sloping terrain at the bottom of a wide, high valley where 3 small rivers join up to form the Torrente Bardonecchia. Mountains on all sides are far enough away to give a more open feel than in many alpine resorts.

Ski Information:

Highest lift:2750m (9022ft), Lowest lift: 1312m (4304ft), Vertical drop:1438m (4718ft), Uplift capacity: 23000 p/hr, Number of slopes :49, Total piste length:140km,Cross country:10km