The canals of Venice, the sights of Rome and traditional Neapolitan pizzas may be the images most often conjured at the mention of an Italian getaway. But during the winter months, Cervinia is one of the most stunning and invigorating parts of Italy for travellers of all ages to visit - particularly for those with an adventurous spirit.

If you love spending time in the great outdoors, then a holiday in the Alps is the perfect getaway. Around Cervinia, for example, there are plenty of hiking trails and another favourite activity is mountain biking. But with all that fresh air and exercise, you're likely to work up an appetite too - so it's a good thing this mountain resort offers plenty of dining options too.

During the winter months, Cervinia is a popular destination for the skiing and snowboarding crowd. With stunning views of the Matterhorn and plenty of pistes, it's easy to see why this Italian village is a favourite choice for mountain sports. But there's one downhill event that you might not realise has ties with the town: bobsled.

Back in the early 1960s, there was only one Italian bobsledding slope, in Cortina. At the time, Breuil-Cervinia was gaining popularity as a winter sports haven and so a group of bobsledding enthusiasts from Milan decided to install a bobsled run in the area around Blue Lake.

Perhaps one of the most diverse activities you can do in this snowy part of Italy is go ice climbing. Quite literally this involves climbing glaciers or, in the case of Cervinia, ice picking your way to the top of a frozen waterfall. Not only is this a fun activity and a great way to exercise, but the crystal wall is something of a spectacle, reflecting a myriad of colours. It's a thrilling experience that should appeal to people who prefer extreme sports and have a sense of adventure. Although it can be a dangerous activity if you're going it alone in a remote part of the world, in Cervinia you're going to be perfectly safe, as you'll be accompanied by the Cervino Guides.

This is basically a kilometre-long snow-covered run in the resort that sees you climbing to the top and flying back down again on an airboard. For those of you who don't know, an airboard is basically an inflatable bodyboard with two paddle-shaped handles at its top end for you to grasp on to. You better hold on tight, because you ride an airboard by lying on your stomach and vaulting yourself head-first down a snowy run. It's not going to be for everyone, but anyone who does try it, is going to be adventurous and filled with adrenalin! This might appeal to people who are keen on snowparks and looking to try something different from the usual freeriding snowboarding experiences at the resort.

Snow scooting is exactly how it sounds; it's a scooter without wheels and therefore perfect for skimming around on top of the snow.