|
Ski Resorts in France
France remains by far the most popular ski holiday destination in Europe for skiers and snowboarders, which is hardly surprising as French ski resorts are easily accessible for most brits by either plane, train or car. Extensive resorts, reliable snow, great food, and modern lifts characterise the French ski experience.
France has, without doubt, some of the best and most extreme skiing in the world - and French ski areas are certainly some of the biggest. Les Trois Vallées (the Three Valleys) is a prime example. Comprised of the resorts of Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and Les Ménuires, the whole area has a massive 600km of pistes. France also has some of the best summer glacier skiing in Europe.
Off-piste skiing in France is some of the best in the world. The French attitude, "if you want to ski off-piste it's OK with us, but on your head be it", means that there are none of the restrictive "out of bounds" policies that limit riders in North America. It's always best to take a guide though. If you are new to off-piste skiing, maybe try one of our off-piste clinics and learn to ski the white stuff in safety.
French ski resorts are scattered around two main mountain ranges, the Pyrenees and the Alps.
Ski resorts in France really do vary in style. There are huge, modern and purpose-built resorts like Flaine and pretty old farming villages like Megève or Chatel. But you can't beat many of France's purpose-built resorts for convenience. In La Plagne, for example, it's easy to ski to the doorstep of most apartment blocks and hotels - making for great family ski holidays.
Like the villages, the lift systems also vary enormously, ranging from antiquated single chairs to modern high-tech, high-speed six-seaters and top-of-the-range cable cars. The lift passes aren't cheap though, so it's a good idea not to lose your pass when you accidentally find yourself in a nightclub still sporting your salopettes…
French ski resorts boast some good quality bars, and French mountain and village restaurants offer top-notch cuisine and wines at prices to suit all pockets. Some ski resorts in France are quiet and more geared towards the family ski holiday, however, most French resorts have good nightlife. In fact, some are very lively indeed, with clubs that are frequented by top DJs and stay open until dawn. |