Ski Holiday Ideas
Ski & Spa Breaks
We all deserve a little pampering now and then, so how about combining your ski holiday with a spa package to enjoy a more rounded sense of wellbeing? We look at the best ski & spa destinations in France.
Learning to Ski?
So, you really want to learn to ski but where do you start?
Here are some hints and suggestions for beginners hoping to ski in the French Alps.
Resort Reviews
Check out our reviews for a unique insight into ski stations in the French Alps and the Pyrenees.
March 2010 offers...La Rosiere, Les Cimes Blanches only £184 ppweek (10% off, was £204) for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom apartment and FREE parking space in MGM built Les Cimes Blanches (close to slopes, pool. Depart March 27th.
Les Menuires, Village Montana now only £136 ppweek (40% off, was £225) for 7 nights in a 4 bedroom apartment with sauna, sleeping 8 in Village Montagnettes. Depart April 17th.
Chamrousse, L’Ecrin des Neiges now only £28 ppweek (40% off, was £47) for 7 nights in a 1 bedroom alcove apartment, sleeping 6. Depart March 27th.
All these offers and many more available through Ski Collection (0844 576 0175). Price per person based on 6 sharing. Accommodation only. Self-drive package with Eurotunnel also available.
Winter & Ski
La Clusaz revisited...Just about the shortest ski-drive from the UK (or a swift transfer from budget flights into Geneva) make this traditional family ski area well worth considering. But does it deliver? We’ve returned to ski it this season to bring you the very latest of our trusted independant and comprehensive Resort Reviews.
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Winter & Ski
Le Grand Bornand: less is more...Complementing its near-neighbour La Clusaz, relaxed family skiing and solid value have made Le Grand Bornand deservedly popular with day visitors from nearby Geneva, while quick flight transfers and easy road access attract increasing numbers of skiers from the UK. We skied there in January and bring you our independant, in-depth review here.
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Winter & Ski
Our top southern resorts..VarsMontgenèvreLa Joue du Loup/Le DévoluyLes OrresPra Loup/Val d'AllosOrcières 1850
Serious Snow-hunters head for the Hautes-Alpes...
SKIERS LOOKING FOR QUALITY skiing that doesn't cost the earth should consider heading for the southern resorts in the Hautes-Alpes. They are sunnier, easy to get to and cheaper than other Alpine resorts but have fantastic snow, good infrastructure and great choice of accommodation.
We skied a whole range of resorts in the southern Alps last season and to help decide which would suit you, review them in full in our Ski Resort Reviews.
The ski areas offering the greatest variety of skiing, other activities and largest range of accommodation include Vars (linked with Risoul), and Montgenèvre. We loved the traditional family resorts of La Joue du Loup and its linked neighbour Super Dévoluy. You'll hear lots more about the impressive resort of Les Orres - which boasts surprisingly challenging terrain and has a new ski village at 2000m. Pra Loup, linked with Val d'Allos is great for families, as is Orcières 1850 - a little known resort but with bags of quality skiing and some rather unusual activities on offer. Winter & Ski
SKIERS LOOKING FOR QUALITY skiing that doesn't cost the earth should consider heading for the southern resorts in the Hautes-Alpes. They are sunnier, easy to get to and cheaper than other Alpine resorts but have fantastic snow, good infrastructure and great choice of accommodation.
We skied a whole range of resorts in the southern Alps last season and to help decide which would suit you, review them in full in our Ski Resort Reviews.
The ski areas offering the greatest variety of skiing, other activities and largest range of accommodation include Vars (linked with Risoul), and Montgenèvre. We loved the traditional family resorts of La Joue du Loup and its linked neighbour Super Dévoluy. You'll hear lots more about the impressive resort of Les Orres - which boasts surprisingly challenging terrain and has a new ski village at 2000m. Pra Loup, linked with Val d'Allos is great for families, as is Orcières 1850 - a little known resort but with bags of quality skiing and some rather unusual activities on offer.
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.
Read more...
Winter & Ski
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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Winter & Ski
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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Winter & Ski
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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Winter & Ski
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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Winter & Ski
Economy 3 Vallées...?MARKETED AS THE LOW-COST alternative, Brides-les-Bains offers back-door access to the 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world. It's possible thanks to the Olympe gondola, so does the package make sense? We reveal our thoughts in our Resort Review.
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Winter & Ski
Ready to Raise Your Game..?IF YOU’RE DETERMINED to improve your skiing technique, could a course of multi-media instruction be the answer? We decided to find out and armed ourselves with a set of Warren Smith’s Ski Academy DVDs before embarking on the first of our ski trips this season.
Find out how we got on with this approach, the teaching method and how it worked for us.
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Winter & Ski
What Goes On Behind the Scenes :A DAY IN THE LIFE of a ski resort, in the company of the unseen mountain professionals. We join the teams in the Grand Massif ski area to discover their vital work and modern equipment which has become essential to run a successful resort.
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Winter & Ski
WE ALL DESERVE a little pampering now and then, combining your ski holiday with a spa package could help you find a more rounded sense of wellbeing. We have some suggestions about where you can find the best ski & spa deals in France.
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Winter & Ski
Les Houches: the Real Thing...IN A SENSATIONAL location between Chamonix and Megève, this underrated ski area offers quality skiing for families and intermediates. It’s also home to the legendary Kandahar World Cup ski events.
See Profile...
Winter & Ski
Is this the Best-Kept Secret in The French Alps?
THE ESPACE DIAMANT finally comes of age — we’ve been there, skied it and we’re convinced. Find out why, and whether it could be perfect for you.
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Winter & Ski
Serre Chevalier Goes Large...WITH OVER 250km of terrain for all levels of skier, and at the gateway to the Southern Alps, Serre Chevalier has long been regarded as something of an alternative choice. With major investment in lift upgrades (and more) it’s finally poised to establish itself as a true ski area heavyweight.
See Profile...
Winter & SkiAdvertisement
Samoëns: Big Mountain or Boutique?SAMOENS COMBINES premium skiing with pretty high quality accommodation and lots of traditional mountain village ambience. So, can you really get the best of both worlds?
See Profile...
Winter & Ski
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, On-Piste...WITH VIRTUALLY LIMITLESS off-piste skiing, well-planned scenic intermediate runs and luxury accommodation, Sainte-Foy has risen to become one of the most desirable resorts in the Alps. See Profile...
Winter & SkiIt’s Never Too Late to Learn... FANCY LEARNING TO SKI but don't know where to go? There is so much choice that we thought we'd give you a few hints about the best places for beginners along with some tips on ski schools, clothing and equipment.
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Winter & Ski
Going Off-Piste:AS ENJOYABLE AS it might be, riding away from patrolled and secured areas is not without risk so here we look at a few things to bear in mind when heading into the backcountry.
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Winter & Ski
Where the Pros
Love to Ski...WE ASKED THE PROS to tell us their very own favourite ski runs in the French Alps. Their responses will inspire you.
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Winter & SkiGreen Snow: WHAT COULD BE MORE sustainable than skiing? All you leave behind is tracks in the snow - or do you? At first glance skiing might appear highly sustainable, but in fact there are some very significant environmental and cultural impacts. Responsibletravel.com gives a simple guide to Green Skiing. Read more...
Winter & Ski
Jura Mountains :
“France’s best kept secret”, says our guest ski writer Bénédicte Lapeyrère who describes the well-preserved and wild nature of the Jura, her childhood home and where she learned to ski. The Jura is the centre of Nordic skiing in France.
Read more... Winter & Ski
Thermal Spas :
RELAXATION, WELL-BEING and Spa Treatments provide luxurious escapes from everyday cares and pressures. We profile a selection of thermal spa centres and new spa and fitness suites in and around the mountains.
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Secrets of the Snowflake:SNOWFLAKES - or more accurately ‘snow crystals’ - are microscopic miracles of nature. It’s a frequently-quoted truism that no two are identical, not that it really matters; the important thing is that things become much more interesting when several crystals get together, forming flakes. Where would we ski without them?
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Tradition & Nature
Latest Guides
Travel Ideas
Take the train...
Rail Europe, the UK subsidiary of SNCF French Railways, provides rail travel right into the heart of the French Alps.
Flights to the Alps
Discover the new and exclusive route to Sion airport in the Swiss Alps.
Ferry Travel
Norfolkline - low prices, quality ferries, convenient schedules
Transfers
Need a lift?
Holiday Taxis offer private transfers from airports to ski resorts in the Alps. Whether it's just you or a bunch of friends, they have transport to suit your needs.
Car Hire
Insurance
The Right Gear
Buy the biggest names in winter sports gear online with free delivery to UK and Ireland.
