Riserva Bianca is the ski area above the characterful Piedmontese town of Limone Piemonte, set in the Maritime Alps of northern Italy, close to the French border. The resort sits between 1,043m and 2,085m, with the charming medieval town at the base providing an authentic Italian mountain experience that's a world away from purpose-built ski stations. Limone has a genuine year-round community, with narrow streets, traditional trattorias, and a pace of life that immediately puts you at ease.

With 17 lifts serving 79.5km of pistes across 39 marked runs, Riserva Bianca is a substantial resort that punches well above its profile. The vertical drop of over 1,000m provides long, satisfying descents, and the terrain skews towards intermediate and advanced skiing. The Maritime Alps' proximity to the Mediterranean coast gives the area a unique microclimate, with abundant snowfall and mild temperatures that make for pleasant skiing conditions.

What sets Riserva Bianca apart is the combination of serious skiing with a genuine Italian town at its base. The food is outstanding (this is Piedmont, after all), the prices are considerably lower than the Dolomites, and the atmosphere is authentically Italian rather than touristic. Check out Riserva Bianca ski deals to start planning your trip.