Courmayeur, Italy

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then to the Cresta de Youla (2,624m/8,659ft) and finally to the Cresta d'Arp (2,755m/9,092ft); there is also a cableway to the Pré de Pascal (1,912m/6,310ft) and a cabin cableway to the Val Vény.

The Italian side of Mont Blanc, in the beautiful Aosta Valley Courmayeur, is linked by aerial tram to the famous French ski resort of Chamonix. About two hours from Geneva and two and a half hours from Milan, Courmayeur is ideal for intermediate skiers but has limited beginner terrain. Experts can find good off-piste skiing, most of which requires a guide.

With 30 lifts and a vertical drop of nearly a mile, Courmayeur offers two major ski areas - the Checrouit runs which are linked with Val Veny and Mont Blanc where a cable car takes skiers up to almost 11,000 feet.