Travelling to Italy to ride. Need some advice

Okay last time I was in Europe for any period of time was when I was stationed in Germany from 96-99. I currently live in Denver, CO. I have a buddy stationed in Ghedi Italy and my girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Italy during the winter to visit him (read; use him for a place to stay, car to use, and local contact) :)

Anyhow, need help. I am planning on the vacation being about 10 days including travel. I am a pretty good snowboarder, no problem on any terrain in CO. My girlfriend on the other hand is closer to beginner. She went a couple of times last season but that is it. I will have her snowboarding here in CO almost weekly before we go though. She is fine with letting me go play for a bit while she is on green runs. We plan on riding 3 or 4 days and doing the tourist thing the rest of the time. (girlfriend's orders on that one)

I am so confused, on the mountains there. Need advise on mountains, passes, transportation, where to stay, websites to get package deals, etc, etc. Please treat this like a dummies book.

I love bargains. (read: we are doing this on a budget.)

I'm by no means an expert so take my advice as you find it. However, I've just booked to go to Sauze d'oulx with my beginner/ intermediate GF and it seems to fit the bill. I skied there when i was a kid and from what i remember it's all pretty easy going unless you look for something more challenging.
I'm sure others here with more experience will have additional suggestions though.

I can only talk from experience, but Cervinia looks great for beginners. It's also a very high and sunny. On top of that you can snowboard nearly 2000m of vertical from the Kleine Matterhorn back to base in Italy. Intermediate all the way and one of my favorites. Want something a little more challenging then take a day with international pass and ride Zermatt which is accesible from Cervinia, just don't miss the last lifts back as the taxi ain't quite so direct and will set you back several hundred dollars.

Beware of the wind, which could curtail Zermatt, well it did when I was there. :(

Brooksy, that is a high resort risk!

Thanks for all the replies. Should I rent a car when I get there, or rely on public transportation? Any idea on Hotels near the suggested resorts? How about crowds, I was planning on riding on Weekdays to help out, or does it not matter there? Packages: Is there a package that anybody knows about that would help out. IE 2 nights at Chamonix with lift tickets.

Last question personally I would love to find a mountain with lots of back country. I am not that fond of Groomers. Thanks.

Everywhere has off piste. As it's Italy you'll need to be insured for rescue away from the resort, and carry a Transceiver/Probe/Shovel, or risk arrest.

The nearest ski resort of any size to Ghedi is Ponte di Legno - Tonale http://www.adamelloski.com/home_default.ashx?ID=3114 a distance of 132 km – about 2.5 hrs by car depending on conditions. If you would prefer to use public transport take the train from Ghedi to Brescia and from there take the train to Edolo. From Edolo take the bus to Ponte di Legno. Its part of the Skirama Dolomiti http://www.skirama.it/EN/home/ which comprises 8 ski resorts, 150 lifts and 380 km slopes. Details of packages, special offers etc. can be found here: http://www.adamelloski.com/documenti/Estate/INVERNO_2010_10.pdf