The Italian ski resorts of the Alps are often considered a money-saving alternative to the “A-list” areas of Switzerland, France and Austria for those less bothered about cachet. None more so than the Aosta Valley, Italy's smallest region, in the centre of the Alps and surrounded by Europe's highest peaks. The area is linked to France via the Mont Blanc tunnel and the Little St Bernard Pass and to Switzerland via the Great St Barnard Pass and tunnel, giving it access to more than 750km of pistes.

The long skiing season, from November to April, is only part of its charm. There is plenty to do here when the snow doesn't fall. The summer months attract hikers, cyclists and even golfers to the area. There is the stunning Gran Paradiso National Park, the Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurea, the highest botanical garden in Europe. Skiers who are also history buffs will love that Aosta was founded in 25BC by the Romans.

“This is a bit of an undiscovered gem to most Brits, with not many who have bought in the area,” explains Gemma Knowles, of gkitalianproperty.com. Convenience is another major plus point - the area is ideally located for those interested in ski weekends. “Most of the resorts are about an hour's drive from Turin airport, and with flights on Friday evenings from the UK and flights back on Sunday evening, it is possible to go for a weekend's skiing without taking time off work.”

The Aosta Valley is bordered by France to the west (Chamonix is on the other side of Mont Blanc), Switzerland to the north and the Piedmont region, south and east. This is one vast skiing region with the Italian slopes of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn in its side valleys - you could ski to either France or Switzerland in minutes. There are few opportunities to buy property in the area, but Les Maisons des Alpes, a local developer, is offering the following small developments:

Aosta

The region's capital sits in a flat punch-bowl at 580m. There is cable car access to the smaller ski area of Pila, but for more enthusiastic skiers Cervinia and Courmayeur are a 20-minute drive away. Aosta has a selection of shops, restaurants, boutiques and delis. It is considered one of Italy's most important cities for Roman ruins: the ampitheatre and the original city entrance, the Arch of Augustus, are still intact.

There are apartments available near the city centre in Via Stevenin. One, two and three-bedroom apartments cost from €185,000 (£167,000).

La Thuile

A charming resort at 1,441m and part of the Espace San Bernardo ski area, linked to La Rosière in France, with 155km of pistes. It is a 1-hour drive from Turin or Geneva (via Mont Blanc tunnel). It offers access to one of the biggest and highest skiing areas in the Alps. The area is relatively quiet during the summer months, although popular with hikers.

There are 20 one, two and three-bedroom apartments available at Les Jardins des Alpes, a new-build development in the heart of the resort. They are for sale off-plan with completion due in 2011. Prices start at €350,000.

Valtournenche

This is a small resort, only 6km from Cervinia in the Breuil-Cervinia-Zermatt ski area. At an altitude of 1,400m, you have a choice of 380km of pistes. It is only an hour's drive from Turin airport. During the summer months there is glacier skiing, an 18-hole golf course at Breuil-Cervinia and an outdoor sports centre at Buisson.

There is an opportunity to buy into two developments in this resort. A completed renovation of a municipal building, La Vieille Mairie, pictured below, has one and two-bedroom apartments available. Prices from €225,000. Apartments are also available in Le Petit Foyer development, a renovated mountain house only 2km from Valtournenche. Completion is expected in September and prices start at €210,000.

La Salle

The resort is only a 15-minute drive from Courmayeur, one of Europe's most famous ski destinations and where you can find the Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurea.

The area is visited year-round and hiking is popular. La Salle is an attractive mountain village at an altitude of about 1,000m. The hot springs of Pré Saint Didier are five minutes' away by car; there you can bathe in thermal waters while admiring Mont Blanc.

There are one and two-bedroom apartments available in a small renovation of a traditional mountain chalet called Borgo Derby. Prices start from €220,000; completion is expected in 2010.

www.gkitalianproperty.com, 020-7993 2967

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