La Thuile, Italy

In Italy probably more than any other ski country, it is most likely that you will be able to combine your ski holiday with a real feel for what a country is like. For here in some of her high mountain villages, a number of which are at least semi isolated during the winter months, the old way of Italian life and its trappings cling furiously to the past. Change does not come easily. Possibly nowhere in the Italian.

Alps is this phenomena more aptly illustrated than in La Thuile. Almost closed in winter from the outside world the efficient lift pass system  which links the resort with France's La Rossiere-a system which allows man to go on skis where he could never go in winter with an automobile. In fact La Thuile is very well connected by road with the rest of Italy via the new superhighway from Aosta and the Mont Blanc tunnel linking Italy to France.

At an altitude of 1,500m. La Thuile is placed on the Little St. Bernard Pass which joins Italy and France during the summer months. The French resort of La Rosiere makes up the second half of this mini European Union, and it is a cooperation which brings real and visible benefits. At least to skiers. Oh my. If only running the real EU was so successful.