I've skied all over the Alps in the past 35 years and have to say the Dolomites are jaw-dropingly beautiful. The skiing is pretty good too, with plenty of challenge all around the Sella Ronda and lots of cruising runs for intermediates.

The lift system is modern and impressive, though not quite as cutting edge as the big name resorts in nearby Tirol. But generally far better than the French equivalents.

The area has a well earned reputation for gourmet cuisine both on and off the mountain, with hostelries dotted all over the area which pretty much guarantee great pitstop each lunchtime.

Corvara, itself, is delightful and generally low key on the apres-ski front but there is a cracking bar at the bottom of the piste opposite the Boe Gondelbahn. Murin is more full on and rather like the big name bars in St Anton and Ischgl. If you want to party hard everyday, then neighbouring Selva is probably a better bet but the pistes are busier.

Cost wise, the value for money is excellent. Slightly cheaper than Austria. But massively cheaper than both France and Switzerland. Moreover, there is no compromise on the quality of hotels and subsistence.