Having experienced skiiing for the very first time, I would like to share some information about Sasso Tetto, high in the Sibillini mountains near Sarnano, Le Marche, and part of the Italian Appenines. For novice skiers, this resort is ideal since it is relatively inexpensive and accessible. It is possible to stay at the resort itself - there are several hotels, although we chose to stay near Sarnano and take the daily shuttle bus to the resort. There are two main centres at Sasso Tetto; Sasso Tetto and La Maddalena. We went to the latter and having walked the short distance from the bus to the ski school, enquired about an hour's lesson.

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Skiing in La Maddalena >

We were surprised that the lesson price was so reasonable; €30 for an hour for an individual but €40 for two people (See the detailed Sibillini Ski School price list). Our instructor was Domenico; although he probably spoke a little English we opted for our lesson in Italian. The hire of ski boots, skis and sticks was a reasonable €10 per person for the day, and once we were kitted out, he took us to the nursery slope for some tuition.

He was both patient and expert, speaking slowly and clearly and giving excellent demonstrations of basic technique. The most important move is the snowplough or "spazzaneve", where the tops of the skis almost touch in order to stop. Once we had mastered this, and having shown us how to turn, he took each of us up the tow rope to begin our first gentle downhill run. Holding the tow rope and balancing was the most challenging part of our lesson - after our lesson had ended and we had time for some free practice, we both fell on the rope!