Skiing, for all but a few, is more than a sport. It's a complete holiday, conjuring up crisp air and sparkling snow, exhilarating descents down the mountain, basking on a sun-filled terrace in view of magnificent peaks, lively nights on the town or a quiet evening by a log fire.

Finding the ideal combination for a skiing holiday is not easy. Criteria vary. Every resort has something to offer - but does it have what you want ? To facilitate a choice, Patrick Thome, freelance ski writer and author of Low Down on the Slopes, has selected 36 top resorts in Italy and rated them in nine different categories. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced skier, with this indispensable Berlitz book you're properly armed to pick the resort best suited to your needs.