Getting to the summit, where skiing begins, is also part of the fun. From Stresa a 5½-mile private road offers breathtaking views and takes about 30 minutes. There is a per-car toll. If you’re without a car, or simply if you prefer, take the cableway from the imbarcadero at Carciano. You’ll switch halfway up, at Alpino, to the next cable way, which you’ll take up to Mottarone; the entire trip takes 18 minutes. If you’re in Milan this is the nearest skiing and easily offers a full day’s activities. Yes, you could drive two or three hours further north into Switzerland to ski at the more famous, large, and crowded resorts. Or avoid the crowds, enjoying breathtaking scenery, save traveling time, and spend a day at what I think is a sadly overlooked side of Stresa, the ski-town side.