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MountainPassions is the premier online source of independent, expert insight and information for skiers and anyone planning to enjoy the mountains of France.
Driving to the Alps:
Pressure or Pleasure?
Taming the drive from the UK to the Alps
Family Skiing
It’s time to drive to the Alps again. Turn it from pressure into pleasure – by taking more, rather than less time getting there. Some of the more tempting cross-Channel ferry deals prompted us to wonder what might be achievable with a little lateral thinking. Read the feature.
Meet our Preferred Ski 2012:
Last season we tested two very special skis.
We’re convinced.
premier selection
The 2011/12 season produced some testing conditions – so much so that one morning we left our own trusty skis at home while we put two pairs of Lacroix all-mountain models through their paces. Has ski technology really moved on this much in such a short time? Apparently so. Read the feature.
All About Ski &
Thermal Spa Resorts
The ultimate in ski and spa breaks in France
Mountain Luxury
We all deserve a little pampering now and then, so combining your ski holiday with a rejuvenating spa treatment is one way to enjoy your time in the mountains even more.
From thermal spa resorts in the Alps and the Pyrénées to spa and wellbeing centres, we give useful tips for first-timers and some holiday ideas for those searching for the ultimate in ski & spa destinations in France. Read the full feature and see Ski & Spa in the French Alps or Ski & Spa in the French Pyrenees for our Tried and Tested reviews.
MGM's 'Off Piste' Developments in the French Alps
Developments in lesser-known Resorts attract strong interest
Property & Living
Skiing families have endorsed the decision by French developer MGM to expand by building accommodation in lesser-known Alpine locations by snapping up new apartments off-plan. Here's a summary of those investment opportunities and a look at MGM's latest project 'Le Napolean' in the heart of Montgenèvre on the French / Italian border. Read the feature.
All About Ice Climbing
An exhilarating and challenging sport
winter activities
In the latest in our 'All About' series, the activity holiday specialists Undiscovered Alps lift the lid on ice climbing. If you love a physical and technically demanding challenge, conquering a frozen waterfall in the depths of winter with an ice axe and crampons could fit the bill. Beginners will need some instruction and be reasonably fit but they say that the sheer thrill of it is quite addictive. Read the feature.
Linked Domain Family Skiing
Solid value resort for families in the Grand Tourmalet
Resort Reviews
One half of the Grand Tourmalet ski area, La Mongie lies on the flanks of the 2872m Pic du Midi. La Mongie's original purpose-built style won't appeal to everyone, but each season brings significant improvements, and as existing accommodation is upgraded we think that the resort offers a value option for skiers and snowboarders. Read the feature.
Hautacam - Where small is beautiful...
The mountain scenery alone would make this a special place to ski
Resort Reviews
On the piste-map it might look limited, but the quality of what there is, coupled with the sensational scenery, mean that you can't help liking Hautacam, a small resort above the spa town of Argeles-Gazost in the French Pyrenees. We took a day to discover that Hautacam hides its best terrain and best scenery until the end of the draglift hauls. Read the feature.
Avoriaz raises the bar
The Porte du Soleil's most radical ski resort gets a makeover
Resort Reviews
The unmistakable skyline has undergone a radical transformation for the forthcoming 2011/12 season, attracting fresh attention to a rising star of the Portes du Soleil.
But what's it like to ski? We went to find out the reality behind the hype. Read the feature.
Let loose in Chamrousse
You've been hearing about it, so we went and skied it for you
Resort Reviews
With heavy recent investment and a super-convenient location above Grenoble, Chamrousse seems to have a lot going for it.
UK ski operators love it, too – so we decided to see it, ski it and make up our own minds. Read the feature.
“Here are your skis, 007..”
We ski Peyragudes, a class act in the French Pyrenees
Resort Reviews
It featured in a 1990s James Bond production, yet the youngest ski area in the French Pyrenees remains almost undiscovered by UK skiers. We skied Peyragudes early this season, and reckon it's finally set to come of age, offering a finely-crafted package for budget-conscious leisure skiers, in a truly sensational setting. Read the feature.
Classic Portes du Soleil
We profile the well-connected Savoyard ski village of Les Gets
Resort Reviews
The chic and deservedly popular ski village of Les Gets sits close to the Franco-Swiss border. To its own varied pistes you can add those of the vast Portes du Soleil, creating near-limitless terrain for mile-hungry skiers. Find out why we think it's a real charmer. Read the feature.
Franco-Italian skiing, anyone?
Ski from La Rosière over to La Thuile, in Italy's Aosta Valley
Resort Reviews
High above the Tarentaise Valley we visit this ever-popular ski resort and ski across the Franco-Italian border all the way to La Thuile in the Aosta Valley. Read our review and discover how you could enjoy truly epic skiing in the fabulous Espace San Bernardo. Read the feature.
Orelle: ski Val Thorens & more
We test-drive backdoor access to the legendary Trois-Vallées
Resort Reviews
By thinking laterally (with more than a hint of vertical dropped into the mix) you can make worthwhile savings and still ski in Val Thorens and the Trois-Vallées. Now add doorstep high-speed rail access and Orelle suddenly sounds very interesting. We thought so, and went to the Maurienne Valley to test the concept for ourselves one particularly cold and frosty morning. Read the feature.
Les Menuires: newly-chic?
The Trois-Vallées Effect has been quietly injecting real style
Resort Reviews
It sits in the very heart of the vast Three-Valleys ski area, but its hard-edged skyline was never going to be to everyone's taste. Now more traditionally-styled Savoyard developments are making new converts – and the quality and extent of the skiing speaks for itself... Read the feature.
Coming of age: Valfréjus
Is this the best-kept secret in quality French skiing?
Resort Reviews
Once the Vallée de la Maurienne had plans to link some of its best ski terrain to that of Bardonecchia, just across the nearby Italian border. Had it come off, the resulting Croix du Sud would by now be world-famous. As it is, Valfréjus has been quietly getting on with developing into a surprisingly stylish ski resort in its own right. We were impressed... Read the feature.
Book Now for
Great Ski Offers
We are proud to work with specialist ski companys Peak Retreats and Ski Collection who are offering the following special deals.
January Skiing
Now £252pp (was £308pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence Le Village in Arc 1950, with pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi with Ski Collection(www.skicollection.co.uk 0844 576 0175). Price based on 5 sharing a 2 bedroom Espace apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for car and passengers. Depart 21/01/12.
Stay at the Flocons d'Argent in Aussois
Now £98pp (was £138pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence L’Ecrin des Neiges, Chamrousse, with pool and sauna with Ski Collection(www.skicollection.co.uk 0844 576 0175). Price based on 6 sharing a 2 bedroom alcove apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for car and passengers. Depart 28/01/12.
Half Term Ski Deals
Now £426pp (was £472pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence Les Granges du Soleil, La Plagne, with pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi with Ski Collection(www.skicollection.co.uk 0844 576 0175). Price based on 8 sharing a 3 bedroom apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for car and passengers. Depart 11/02/12.
Now £386pp (was £427pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence Les Cimes Blanche, La Rosiere, with pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi with Ski Collection(www.skicollection.co.uk 0844 576 0175). Price based on 8 sharing a 3 bedroom apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for car and passengers. Depart 11/02/12.
Now £158pp (was £214pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence Les Gentianes, Puy Saint Vincent, with pool, sauna and fitness room with Ski Collection(www.skicollection.co.uk 0844 576 0175). Price based on 5 sharing a 2 bedroom apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for car and passengers. Depart 11/02/12.
Comfortable apartments at La Grande Cordée, Combloux
Easter Holidays
Now £88pp (was £110pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence La Grande Cordee in Combloux, with indoor heated swimming pool, with Peak Retreats (www.peakretreats.co.uk 0844 576 0123) Price based on 4 sharing a 1 bedroom apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for a car and passengers. Depart 31/03/12.
Now £106pp (was £132pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence Les Valmonts in Valloire, with indoor heated swimming pool, with Peak Retreats (www.peakretreats.co.uk 0844 576 0123) Price based on 5 sharing a 1 bedroom alcove apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for a car and passengers. Depart 31/03/12.
Budget Ski Deals
Now £85pp (was £95pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence Flocons d’Argent in Aussois, with indoor heated swimming pool, with Peak Retreats (www.peakretreats.co.uk 0844 576 0123) Price based on 5 sharing a 2 bedroom apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for a car and passengers. Depart 07/04/12.
Now £63pp (was £86pp) for 7 nights self-catering in the residence Les Balcons de la Vanoise in Termignon, with Peak Retreats (www.peakretreats.co.uk 0844 576 0123) Price based on 5 sharing a 2 bedroom apartment and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for a car and passengers. Depart 28/01/12.
More information and further great deals on www.peakretreats.co.uk Tel:0844 576 0123(UK) or www.skicollection.co.uk Tel:0844 576 0175 (UK)
Mountain Style:
Authentic Samoëns
Property & Living
While purpose-built ski villages are busy finding ways to broaden their visual appeal by adding traditional-looking features, Samoëns, in Haute-Savoie, clearly has no such worries. This is the real thing. In an age of burgeoning boutique ski resorts, one thing is certain: we’re going to need the simple honesty of places like this.... Read the feature.
Top 10 Tips for a
Painless Family Ski Holiday
Years of experience have taught us a few things about what makes for a hassle-free ski holiday. When you have your family to think about, there's a lot of preparation invloved, but we also think it involves knowing all you can about where you're going and keeping an eye on snow conditions. Check out our Top Ten Tips - read the feature.
Think you can do it too? Winter Activities
The thrill of downhill skiing is now a real possibility for virtually anyone. Both equipement and training are becoming commonplace on the slopes, and larger resorts offer a range of accessible accommodation options. We look at some of the ‘Handiski’ accredited French ski resorts offering special facilities for those with a disability. Read the feature.
The Eco-Friendly Chalet Chatelet Property & Living
Building your own eco-chalet: a couple created their dream home with more than a few environmentally friendly features in the Val d’Abondance. Now the chalet provides its enthusiastic owners with a successful Chambres d’Hôtes business. Read the feature.
Snowshoeing:
A Beginner’s Guide
Winter Activities
Snowshoeing has been around since man searched for a way of walking on deep snow. It's now a very popular (and growing) winter activity. With the help of Mark Tennent of snowshoe specialists Simply Savoie we discover how much fun you can have, how good it is for you, and learn some techniques and tips that will help when you try it for the first time. Read the feature.
Arrive in style on the ski train...
Enjoy extra days on the slopes and no surcharge for skis or boards with Eurostar Direct Ski Trains.
Book now!
Self-drive ski holidays in France
Travel to France by ferry and some of the best self drive skiing in the world. Enjoy the freedom of taking unlimited baggage and up to 9 people per car via .
Book your journey with P&O Ferries
Find a hotel
Booking a hotel has never been easier with accorhotels.com, Europe's largest hotel group.
Why pay for your skis?
Experience complete comfort on SWISS flights to Geneva and enjoy the added bonus of taking your skis at no extra cost.
Pick up and ski this winter
Forget about queuing for a bus at the airport, low cost car hire - with a ski rack if necessary, will get you to where you want to go with a minimum of fuss. See the
Great deals to ski destinations
Flights from Southwest England, Birmingham and the Isle of Man to Chambery or Geneva opens up a wealth of ski opportunities in the northern Alps.
Book with Flybe now!
Whether you’re a keen skier, a complete beginner or simply planning a relaxing, pampered getaway among the breathtaking scenery of the French mountains, you’ll find lots of ideas right here.
There’s independent expert insight, too – we really do visit and ski every location we review, to help you find your ideal French resort.
Rossignol:
100 Years of History
French ski-maker Rossignol lives and breathes for the mountains. An icon from the past, and a dynamic emblem of the present, the brand draws on its roots and heritage to build its vision for the future. We take a look at the history of this historic brand. Read feature.
Ski & Spa Holidays
MountainPassions holiday tips and ideas for people searching for the ultimate in ski and spa breaks in in France. Read feature.
