Falcade is a traditional mountain village in the Veneto Dolomites of Italy, tucked into a high valley at 1,190m beneath a wall of pale, jagged peaks. It's a proper working mountain community, with a cluster of old timber and stone houses, hay barns, and family-run hotels set along the valley floor. One thing that sets it apart is the artwork. Many of the buildings are decorated with painted facades and murals depicting mountain life and local history, which has earned Falcade its nickname as the "painted village" of the Dolomites. Add in the easygoing, unhurried pace and a real local vibe, and you have a base with warmth and character to spare.

The slopes rise high above the village, topping out at around 2,520m with a big drop of some 1,330m back to the valley (some proper vertical to play with). Falcade’s terrain suits confident skiers especially well, with a good stock of sweeping red runs and a couple of steep, dramatic blacks for those chasing a challenge. Gentle blue slopes and a dedicated learning area give beginners and early intermediates room to find their feet. Each of the mountainsides are wide and open, with plenty of scope for venturing off marked pistes when conditions allow. Sitting high and enjoying a favourable, sunny exposure, the slopes hold good snow, backed by full snowmaking, which keeps the season running dependably from late November into early April.

Off the slopes, Falcade has a gentle, wholesome winter atmosphere that rounds out a holiday nicely. There's cross-country skiing across the sunny valley plateau, snowshoe outings and horse-drawn sleigh rides into the surrounding meadows, and an ice rink in the village. Evenings are relaxed and characterful: a stroll past the floodlit murals, a drink on a hotel terrace, and dinner built around hearty local cooking, polenta, mountain cheeses, and handmade pasta served in cosy trattorias and mountain huts. It's an intimate, unshowy sort of place, and all the more appealing for it.

Check out Falcade ski deals to start planning your trip.