'I took on a black run skiing in Italy - and another cheekier first'

Want to learn to ski effortlessly? Then head for the spectacular slopes of Italy’s South Tyrol.

With impressive alpine peaks, magnificent views from all angles, and 300 sunny days a year, the northernmost part of the country, neighbouring both Austria and Switzerland, provides plenty of thrills, both on and off the pistes.

For those looking for a beautiful base to glide into after a day on the pistes, the modern and luxurious Falkensteiner Hotel in Kronplatz oozes Italian swagger.

A member of the Leading Hotels of the World group and loved by sports stars and celebrities, this five-star super-resort packs in the wow factor with fabulous facilities including a heated outdoor rooftop pool, a Finnish sauna with fabulous views, and a yoga studio to find your flow.

The rooms are spacious, well-appointed rest spots – even your ski helmet has an allocated space – and clad in wood panels to give that cosy, mountain vibe. You also don’t have to worry about lugging your ski equipment to your room, as the hotel offers secure lockers to store it all.

It’s easy to reach the slopes from here with either a two-minute free shuttle to the gondola, or if you fancy stretching your legs, it is no more than a five-minute stroll. The ski lifts and cable cars are all brand new, which makes getting up to the mountains a breeze as you take in the beauty of the mountains.

Once I reached the top, I simply stood and stared at the magnificence of the Dolomites. Eighteen peaks in total with vertical walls, sheer cliffs and deep, long valleys, this unique mountain ­landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Beginners, or those after a refresher course, can enrol with the Skischool Bruneck. I was taught by Robert, who even helped me tick off a bucket-list achievement of doing a black run! You can also visit the wonderful Lumen Museum, located in the mountains, where you can explore the history of mountain photography and learn about some cool stories of the region.

When you fancy a breather, there are lots of pit stops along the way for a coffee, a schnapps or a snack of mountain fare. Or try the fantastic AlpiNN restaurant, situated at an altitude of 5,662ft in the Plan de Corones ski area, a must for Michelin-star mountain cuisine – with offerings of food traditional to the region and a lovely selection of wine. This is Italy after all.

After lunch, I headed back to the hotel, for a spot of me-time.

In the 15,000 sq ft Acquapura Mountain SPA there is every type of treatment on offer to help soothe aching muscles from a day of skiing or snowboarding. I opted for a facial, which gave my skin a lovely long-lasting glow. But anyone who really wants to be at one with nature can partake in a naked sauna ritual.

It’s not something I would have ever dreamed of doing – maybe there is something in the mountain air, or maybe it was the wine I had at lunch that gave me the courage to do it.

But sitting in a sauna, with no clothes on, surrounded by a bunch of strangers actually felt rather liberating. And after the sauna experience, everyone who participated in the ritual then took a skinny dip into the pool. By this point I was completely over my initial shyness and rather enjoyed the freedom of it all.

Aside from the sauna, there are two pools, one for leisure and one for swimming. Located outdoors, the pools are a great place to soak up the mountain scenery. Another highlight of the hotel is 7Summit restaurant, headed up by renowned chef Federico Carsili, who takes influences from the South Tyrolean cuisine, inspired by the flavours and dishes from the regions around Europe’s highest peaks.

Diners can opt for a cold buffet starter, including wide ranges of antipasti, or a hot dish to order. The mains change each day, with three options to choose from, the same with dessert, plus there is a huge cheeseboard buffet.

The restaurant staff are all extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu, so they are great at helping you decide.

The Falkensteiner isn’t just for the ski season, it’s open all year round, and in the summer is a stylish spot for cyclists and walkers to experience the splendour of the South Tyrolean mountains.

Book the holiday

• Rooms at the Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz in Reischach/Bruneck South Tyrol, Italy, start at around £404 a night for a Double Deluxe (sleeps up to 2 adults and 1 child) on half-board. falkensteiner.com
• Private airport transfers start at around £182 one-way for up to seven people. falkensteiner.com
• SkyAlps flies from Gatwick to Bolzano from around £153 one-way. skyalps.com
• More info at suedtirol.info