France holidays

A lot of the resorts were purpose-built in the 60s and 70s, giving them a high altitude and fast-moving modern lift systems. Add to this beautiful scenery and you have a perfect place to ski.

Alpe d’Huez

Also known as the ‘Island in the Sun’, Alpe d’Huez normally gets around 300 days of sun throughout the year, making it a perfect ski spot. The pistes range from easy greens to extreme blacks up to 3330 metres, but the real draw is La Sarenne – which is the longest black run in the world stretching 16km. You’ll have as much fun off the pistes too as Alpe d’Huez is one of the liveliest resorts in the Alps, so you’ll find plenty of opportunity to have a few drinks after your long day of skiing.

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Chamonix

Sitting just below the majestic Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, the charming town of Chamonix will cater to your every skiing need. During the summer it is a haven for climbers and bikers, but it comes alive for advanced free skiers and snowboarders around November. Despite its relatively low altitude, most of the lifts head up to above 2000 metres, with the most famous off-piste runs in the world. A bustling town, you will find shops, bars and restaurants to suit any evening – and of course some great après ski too.

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Courchevel

Courchevel is one of several resorts in the massive Les Trois Vallées ski area, and garners an affluent crowd due to its brilliant restaurants and luxury chalets. Couchevel has some great pistes too, ranging from long greens perfect for newcomers to runs more suited to seasoned skiers. You’ll find some steep blacks at the top of the Saulire lift, which your group can race down into the centre. Those wanting a bit more should head over into Meribel or Val Thorens, where you’ll find 600 kilometres of pistes waiting for you to explore. World-class après ski can be found in 1850’s Tremplin bar.

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Flaine

Flaine is part of the Grand Massif ski area, which also includes Les Carroz and Samoëns. The Flaine ski bowl itself is a brilliant area for beginners and intermediates, with some superb black routes for the fearless. It is great for freestyle skiers and snowboarders too, with one of the biggest snow parks in Europe, the Jam Park, stretching down the mountain for almost a mile. Flaine was purpose-built, so you won’t find too much in the way of entertainment, but there is such good skiing that you’ll be too tired to party.

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La Plagne

La Plagne is a beautiful series of villages, all with their own advantages, sitting within the huge Paradiski area. La Plagne’s skiing covers a large area, but for those looking for a bit more, Paradiski covers almost 450 kilometres of pristine slopes. The big, wide runs are perfect for those new to snow sports and those who like to carve at high speeds. La Plagne is suited best to competent skiers, with around 70% of the runs being blue or easy reds. Off the piste, you’ll find over 50 restaurants catering for your every need.

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Les Arcs

Built above Bourg St. Moritz in the 1960s, Les Arcs is now one of the most respected resorts in the world. The great thing about Les Arcs is that 70% of the pistes are above 2000 metres, making it a very snow-sure mountain, even late in the season. Also connected to the Paradiski area and La Plagne, the slopes are more suited to proficient skiers but there are some amazing routes for the more advanced. Try the Aiguille Rouge peak, which drops 2000m vertically and is 7km long. Les Arcs is not well known for nightlife, but you’ll find some fun après ski in Les Arcs 1800.

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Les Menuires

Nestled below Val Thorens in the epic Les Trois Vallées ski area, Les Menuires is a recently refurbished resort, perfect for family trips to the mountains. With lots of green and blue pistes it is ideal for those with children, but is also good for the more advanced skier. Seen as an alternative to the more expensive Val Thorens and Meribel in the next valley, you’ll find some fantastic bars, restaurants and shops to get the essentials. There are classical music concerts in the town of an evening, so it’s good for a bit of culture too.

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Meribel

Set in the heart of the world-class Three Valleys ski area, Meribel oozes with alpine town chalet charm. Soak up your prime position to hit the pistes, with an incredible 600km of skiable terrain to cruise across on your ski holiday. Beginners can start at Méribel Altiport, then glide the variety of green runs. Intermediate and advanced skiers can savour high altitude skiing in Val Thornes, or discover mogul fields and ski parks in Courchevel. Be sure to plan your ski days out with the Three Valleys map. After days on the mountain, soak up the après ski buzz and vibrant nightlife of Meribel.

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La Rosiere

A traditionally French Alpine village waits for your arrival in La Rosiere, with a family-friendly atmosphere and long quiet pistes. Sat on the border of Italy, in the Espace San Bernardo ski area, the French southern-facing slopes are a sun trap, while the Italian northern slopes of La Thuile get fantastic snow. Enjoy perfect conditions for skiing in the morning, then enjoy a sunny afternoon of après ski as your reward. New skiers will enjoy the local pistes but more advanced skiers may choose to venture into the Espace San Bernardo area proper, as it will prove more of a challenge.

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Montgenèvre

Nestled on the border between France and Italy, Montgenèvre combines a traditional Alpine village with a modern ski resort. Linked to the Milky Way ski area, Montgenèvre has an excellent snow record, fast lifts and well-groomed pistes up to 2700 metres. It is ideal for newcomers and competent skiers because of its wide, quiet slopes which are perfect for cruising. That said, you’ll find some world-class off-piste and freeride skiing in the bowls, and an exciting well made snow park. Après ski is varied, with lots of cool bars and an abundance of restaurants offering Franco-Italian fare.

Montgenèvre ski facts

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Tignes

Being on a glacier guarantees snow in Tignes, and allows for a long season which runs, normally, from October to May. As part of the enormous Espace Killy ski area, you’ll have more than 300 kilometres of skiable terrain at your ski tips. Tignes has a smaller area surrounding it, but no less impressive – with two brilliant snow parks, wide sweeping pistes and some of the best off-piste in the French Alps. As a purpose-built resort, it may lack the traditional Alpine village charm, but it makes up for it with its superb skiing conditions, affordable prices and lively après ski.

Tignes ski facts

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Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere is arguably one of the world’s best ski resorts, with spectacular skiing at a high altitude, brilliant après ski and lift links to the huge Espace Killy ski area. Predominantly built for intermediate and advanced skiers, this is a veritable playground for the experienced – with some incredible free skiing available to those able. The famous Oakley ValPark will have snowboarders jumping for joy, as will the resort’s cosmopolitan après ski bars and modern restaurants. Those looking for more traditional fare will find some great taverns serving Savoyard specialities too – like a delicious cheese fondue.

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Val Thorens

Europe’s highest and most snow sure resort, Val Thoren ticks all the boxes when looking for a high altitude ski holiday. As a purpose-built resort, it is not the most beautiful, but you will forgive that when you ski straight to the door of your accommodation. The well-groomed pistes cater for the more advanced skier at the top of the mountain, but beginners will find some exhilarating runs too. The off-piste here is also superb, with powder snow galore on the Peclet and Chavière glaciers. After skiing, head down to the town to find great bars – including the breathtaking views from the panoramic Bar 360.

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Chatel

The charming village-resort of Chatel is brilliant for families and ski groups alike. Beginners and intermediates can experience 130km of marked slopes in the heart of Portes du Soleil. Intermediate and advanced skiers can venture to the outstanding ski areas of Morzine and Avoriaz within Portes du Soleil, for an outstanding variety of pistes and fantastic selection of red runs. Chatel offers a ski holiday for everyone, with excellent beginner slopes nearby and challenging local terrain for experts on and off-piste. For something special, enjoy long runs with tree-lined skiing – this place really offers an all rounder resort.

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Le Grand Bornand

Take your next ski holiday in Le Grand Bornand. Located between Annency, Chamonix and Geneva, savour a stay within this traditional mountain village for epic skiing. Whatever your ski ability, you’ll find your ski legs here. With pistes for new-comers and beginners, to off-piste terrain for the advanced skier, Le Grand Bornand can satisfy every ski need. When you want a break from skiing, go snow-shoeing, then soak up your snowy surroundings in the quiet après bars. Whether you’re looking for beginner and family-friendly, or perhaps a romantic ski break just for two, discover the wonders of this ski resort.

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Les Carroz

Choose Les Carroz for a traditional alpine village stay, in a resort which offers superb skiing and far more. It is part of the varied Grand Massif ski area, with a wealth of skiing variety available for all levels of skier. From local quiet nursery runs and blues, excellent circuits for intermediates and challenging pistes and off-piste expeditions for the advanced – there is something for everyone. When you’re ready for some ski time out, there is ice skating and a local pool. Warm up over hot chocolate in one of the cafes or tuck into fondue in a restaurant, enjoy the best of Les Carroz.

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Sainte-Foy

For the more uncrowded ski resort, take a ski break to Sainte-Foy. The small 41km area makes for a beginner friendly trip, with quiet lift queues and pistes, this is a great place for developing ski skills. The nursery slopes are also in easy reach to the resort’s accommodation. If you’re an advanced skier or boarder, free-riding over untouched powder is possible here – there are also challenging red and black runs. When you’re not skiing, soak up the Savoyard style of the resort and a great selection of restaurants and bars on and off the mountain. Sainte-Foy offers a ski resort for everyone.

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Samoens

Discover the small, charming alpine village of Samoens. The resort shares The Grand Massif ski area, which offers 265km of picturesque pistes. This is a brilliant all rounder ski spot, with a vast variety of ski runs for all abilities – ideal for families and large groups. If you want to do something different, there is also cross-country skiing available. Samoens is set in a dazzling valley, with cobbled streets and historic buildings. Don’t think it’s sleepy, when you’re not skiing, the adventurous can go ice-climbing, paragliding and snowmobiling. Immerse yourself in this authentic French resort on your next ski holiday.

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Serre Chevalier

Hit the heights of Serre Chevalier. It’s one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, offering a fantastic 250km of slopes across four areas, where 13 captivating alpine villages are situated. Glide over powdery snow through woodland runs, discover handfuls of terrain parks and enjoy calm family ski areas. Beginners can progress on the choice of green and blue runs, whereas the more advanced skier can choose between reds, blacks and off-piste expeditions. With its fantastic snow record and average of 300 days of sunshine in the year, Serre Chevalier is a top choice resort – with a laid-back après scene.

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Valmorel

Take a ski holiday to the gateway resort of the Tarentaise, Valmorel. There is a nursery area next to the village and gentle greens for beginners, as well as an extensive range of blue and red runs for intermediates across the 165km Grand Domaine ski area. For expert skiers, there is just a scattering of black runs and steeper reds – although there is some brilliant off-piste available for those advanced enough. When it’s time to take the ski boots off, take a turn at snowshoeing. The après here is leisurely, people usually enjoy a couple of afternoon beers and an evening drink in a bar.

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