By Mark Frary, Ski Editor of Times Online
Serre Chevalier is four resorts in one, stretching from the UNESCO-rated Roman fortress town of Briançon to the spa village of Monetiers-les-Bains, linked together with 250km of piste, mostly of intermediate grade.
The high-Alpine town of Chamonix, in the shadow of Europe’s tallest peak Mont Blanc, is easy to reach and a Brit fave. It has tough skiing on the Grands Montets and the spectacular glacial scenery of the famous off-piste itinerary, the Vallée Blanche.
The Portes du Soleil region, whose 650km of runs span the French-Swiss border, has it all. There is the snowboard magnet of Avoriaz to the traditional village of Les Gets, loved by Brits for its family friendly slopes and great restaurants.
Montgenèvre is part of the popular Milky Way ski network on the French-Italian border and is one of the oldest resorts in the country. Expect lots of sun but, despite that, a reasonable snow record thanks to its high-altitude setting.
Swanky Megève, popular with Parisians down for the weekend, has top-notch restaurants and upmarket boutiques. The resort is at relatively low altitude but offers wide, motorway runs where you can really put your foot down.
The resorts of the Three Valleys – posh Courchevel, chalet capital Méribel and high altitude Val Thorens – are perennial British favourites. Those intermediate runs favoured by the average Brit in the mountains just go on and on.
La Tania is the way to ski Courchevel and the rest of the Three Valleys on a budget. It sits at just 1350 metres and offers some great skiing through the trees in the local area and 650km in the region as a whole.
Tignes, part of the Espace Killy with its glitzier neighbour Val d’Isère, is a group of connected hamlets, offering everything from purpose-built ski-in, ski-out convenience to more traditional charm. Oh, and great skiing on wide open pistes.
If you hate hearing British voices on a ski holiday, then La Clusaz is for you. This very French resort is easily accessible from the UK and offers a diverse range of skiing, including some excellent off-piste.
The resort of Le Grand Bornand in the Aravis massif oozes charm, thanks to its old wooden buildings. It has a small but perfectly formed ski area that is just perfect for beginners.
Nipping over a ridge from the end of the Chamonix valley brings you to St-Gervais-les-Bains. The name gives a hint of the thermal springs that made this town popular but these days, most come for the skiing. The slopes are not at high altitude but if the snow’s there, the runs are just perfect for intermediates.
The architecture in purpose-built Les Arcs is not to everyone’s taste but there’s little doubt about the ease of exploring the huge Paradiski region linked to neighbouring La Plagne and then skiing right back to the door of your apartment.
Alpe d’Huez offers good beginners’ skiing in a purpose-built setting in the sunny southern part of the Alps. You will also find some good tough skiing, including Europe’s longest black run, the 16km long Sarenne.
Les Contamines is a well-kept secret. This small and unspoilt village lurks in the shadow of its bigger Mont Blanc neighbours but those in the know rate it for its Frenchness and good beginner’s and intermediate slopes that are perfect for families.
France Montagnes helpful website has excellent map pages
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