Leaving Malta’s mild winters behind, keen skier Natalie Bowen hops on a quick flight to northern Italy to complete her annual search for fresh powder snow – on a budget.

Going off-piste is an option for the most confident skiers and snowboarders.

Windy, rainy, damp and cold: that’s the Maltese winter, but one type of weather never reaches the island: snow.

Even when Rome was shivering under a blanket of white for the first time in 26 years in 2012, even when Egypt received a dusting last week, Malta remained happily snow free – bad news for skiers and snowboarders!

So when I moved here from the UK 18 months ago and felt my annual urge to strap two planks of fibreglass to my feet and cut a gliding path down a hill, I soon realised I would have to look abroad.

Thankfully, I didn’t need to go far.

Malta’s enviable location in the middle of the Mediterranean makes it a hotspot for sun-seekers, but chilly peaks are easily accessible: a return flight to Turin cost just €30 and with that I was on my way to Sauze d’Oulx, a decent-sized ski resort in northern Italy.

Sauze d’Oulx itself is a small town 1,509m above sea level but its slopes are part of a much larger area called Via Lattea – or the celestial-sounding Milky Way – in the Alps mountain range, which contains more than 400km of pistes.

From the very top, dazzlingly white vistas stretch off in every direction, an undulating playground dotted with speeding, multi-coloured figures that practically beg you to join them.

While the lower runs can be choked with groups of beginners and unadventurous holiday-makers, the upper pistes are so big they look almost empty.

Under the type of bright, blue sky that only comes from being level with the clouds, trees weighed down with precipitation are transformed into giant marshmallows and the odd chalet peeking out under what seems to be a layer cotton wool.

The Via Lattea pass gives access to runs belonging to the nearby resorts Sansicario, Pragelato, Cesana, Claviere and Sestriere, which is more than enough to keep you busy for a week.

As I was on a three-day short break, I restricted myself to exploring Sauze d’Oulx, Sansicario and Pragelato. My favourite run was a long stretch from the Sportinia lift to my cosy hotel in Jouvenceaux just outside the main town, which was a challenging red that could prove tricky as the sun set behind the mountains and treacherous ice started to appear, but provided endless satisfaction.

There is something for skiers of all standards: as mentioned, the inexperienced can tackle the lower slopes to get their confidence back before moving up, while ski schools offer week-long courses from €138.

Dazzlingly white vistas stretch off in every direction, an undulating playground dotted with speeding, multi-coloured figures

However, with only an estimated 15 per cent of runs classed as blue – the easiest type – and 62 per cent ranked red for intermediate, Sauze d’Oulx tends to attract a more experienced crowd.

That is not to say that everyone needs to be an expert to enjoy the runs, particularly as the width of higher slopes gives ample space to control speed and even stop for a breather – and strategic reconnaissance of the way ahead – if needed.

Racing across fresh powder is a tiring business and there are several cafes and restaurants serving hot drinks, mulled wine and filling food for those who need to recharge their energy.

One particular highlight is the Orso Bianco hotel at the main Sportinia hub: not only does it serve an amazing hot chocolate, but it is an ideal meeting place and guests are stuck on the mountain after the lifts shut – perfect for people wanting to get away from the night-time hubbub of a ski resort itself.

Although I was staying further down the mountain to save a few pennies, most hotels in Sauze d’Oulx are clustered around the bottom of the main ski lift, which is a 10-minute trek from the picturesque town centre.

It is also conveniently close to ski rental shops and inviting bars and restaurants for much-needed warmth after a long day on the slopes.

Après-ski is an important part of any winter sports holiday and Sauze does not disappoint.

Cosy bars are small, welcoming and have good deals on beverages and there is always a themed night – such as quizzes or karaoke – on somewhere.

Most places show international football games so keeping up with the Premier League is no problem, while families can enjoy a relaxed night out before hitting the hay.

People in search of more exuberant entertainment can join the numerous bar crawls and activities organised by holiday reps.

My own hotel, being smaller and more out of the way, offered a tempting selection of board and video games or films to enjoy while snuggling up in front of a roaring fire, before an early night and doing it all again the next morning.

Dragging myself away after just three days was difficult, but as I boarded the plane back to Malta I knew one thing was certain: I’d be back.

Getting to Sauze d’Oulx

Flights to Turin with Ryanair take roughly two hours and depart from Malta every Tuesday and Saturday.

From Turin take a train to Oulx station, then arrange a transfer up the mountain to Sauze. Public buses are also available, but do not run late into the night. Many hotels will organise pick-ups.

Ski lift passes cost €36 a day for adults or €5 for children, or €215 for seven days for adults and €35 for children.