Looking For Luxury..?
FOR MANY OF US THE PERFECT SKI HOLIDAY must combine wonderful skiing, great après-ski and comfortable, spacious accommodation with authentic Savoyard charm. And a warm welcome, naturally. To inspire you in your own quest for a luxury ski experience this winter we’ve put together an exclusive selection of wonderful destinations and places to stay.
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LONG A FAVOURITE HAUNT of French and Swiss family skiers, Le Grand Bornand is clearly moving upmarket, as witnessed by the arrival of Le Village de Lessy, a new luxury development created by prestige developer MGM, and managed by its subsidiary CGH.
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Feb half-term offers
Ski Collection have given us their late availability offers for departures on the 13th Feb 2010.
10% off in Courchevel Only £355pp (was £394pp) for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom alcove apartment, sleeping 8 in Village Montagnettes (pool and close to the slopes).
Val Thorens Only £365pp for 7 nights in a 4 bedroom apartment, sleeping 11 in Les Balcons de Val Thorens (close to the slopes).
Arc 1950 Only £570 pp for 7 nights in a 1 bedroom Espace apartment, sleeping 4 in Le Village (pool and close to the slopes.
Peisey Vallandry Only £430 pp for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 6 in L’Oree des Cimes (pool and close to the slopes).
Sainte Foy Only £358 pp for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 6 in Les Fermes de Sainte Foy (pool and close to the slopes).
Tignes Only £457 pp for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 6 in Le Telemark (pool and close to the slopes.
Les Menuires Only £309 pp for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom alcove apartment, sleeping 8 in Les Chalets de l’Adonis (close to the slopes).
Isola 2000 Only £333 pp for 7 nights in a 4 bedroom mezzanine chalet, sleeping 12 in Les Chalets du Diva (close to the slopes).
La Plagne Only £372 pp for 7 night in a 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 6 in Les Hauts Bois (pool and close to the slopes).
All bookings through Ski Collection (0844 576 0175, www.SkiCollection.co.uk). Price per person. Accommodation only. Self-drive package with Eurotunnel also available. All depart February 13th. Bon ski!  Winter & Ski

Montgenèvre: Ski Perfection..?
HIGH ALTITUDE, great snow and plenty of sunshine - plus cross-border skiing into Italy. Really, what more could you ask?
We've skied it and reveal our findings in our Resort Reviews.
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If you love cruising blues,
this one’s for you ...
WE’VE SKIED Valloire and its linked neighbour Valmeinier. The resorts are very much aimed at young and budget-conscious family skiers but offer surprisingly extensive skiing for all levels. Highlights include long Blue-graded scenic cruises which start high and among silent pine forests.
We loved it, see our comments in Resort Reviews.
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Wondering if you can do it too?
TAKING PART in snowsports and experiencing the thrill and excitement of downhill skiing is now a real possibility for virtually anyone, regardless of their disability. MountainPassions takes a look at some of the ‘Handiski’ accredited French ski resorts where disabled skiers can find suitable accommodation, quality instruction and a range of specialist equipment.
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Cycling the Mont Blanc Tour :
THE MONT BLANC TOUR- 6100m of ascent, 138km over 3.5 days... This is the diary from the tour made by a group of friends, all mountain guides, who undertook the ride in September 2008, and did it anticlockwise.
Read more...  Summer Activities

Route des Grandes Alpes :
THE LEGENDARY Route des Grandes Alpes from Lac Léman to the Mediterranean takes you through some truly breathtaking scenery. Our in depth guide written from experience, will help you plan your drive with ideas for accommodation, restaurants and places to see...
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Eco-friendly Chalets :
WE LOOK AT HOW one developer is building chalets with a ‘green’ future. Chesterton International offers an insight into the chalets built by Grosset Janin.
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PLUS: Building your own eco-chalet: a couple created their dream home in the Val d’Abondance, with more than a few environmentally-friendly features. Now the chalet provides its enthusiastic owners with a successful Chambres d’Hôtes business.
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Highly Desirable :
NARROW BACKSTREETS evoke the spirit of Vieux Nice or Menton, yet the uplifting, high-altitude setting is unmistakable. We discover why the old fortified town of Briançon is such a charmer — and currently trés chic, too.
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Chalet Style :
IN HAUTE-SAVOIE, high above the Vallée d’Abondance, we visit a 200 year-old mountain chalet which has been lovingly restored by its antique-dealer owner. But as we discovered one rainy day, there’s more: a cosy interior which provides plenty of opportunities for the owner to give free rein to her eclectic taste.
Read more... Tradition & Nature

Strong, Silent Types:
THE HARD, GRUYERE-STYLE CHEESES of the French Alps are famed for their full-bodied flavour. We look at three authentic AOC favourites: Abondance, Beaufort and Reblochon plus the lesser-known Grataron goat’s cheese.
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Now Tignes offers 4-Star Luxury
WHAT ECONOMIC DOWNTURN? The ski village of Tignes Val Claret welcomes the first guests to its 4* luxury hotel, Les Suites du Névada, created by Savoyard developer MGM Constructeur.
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Route des Grandes Alpes :
THE LEGENDARY Route des Grandes Alpes from Lac Léman to the Mediterranean takes you through some truly breathtaking scenery. Our guide will help you plan your drive with ideas for accommodation, restaurants and places to see...
Read more...  Summer Activities

Alpine Regional Cheeses :
ALPINE CHEESES are produced according to the rhythms of the seasons and using methods passed down through generations of local farmers. Here we focus on three of the most famous cheeses from the region: Beaufort, Abondance and Reblochon
Read more...  Tradition & Nature

WE ALL DESERVE A LITTLE PAMPERING now and then, so combining your ski holiday with a spa package is one way to enjoy your time in the mountains even more. We have some suggestions to help you find the best ski & spa deals in France.
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Mountain Chalet: Design Classic
THE CLASSIC ALPINE chalet has become an instantly recognisable icon of mountain living. These highly desirable mountain dwellings are also highly practical, as we’ll discover...
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