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 Ski resorts in the French Alps may be well known for their winter sports facilities, but many have other attractions that continue to draw visitors long after the snow has melted in the spring.
Famous as one of the most exclusive destinations in the Alps, Chamonix not only boasts some fabulous ski runs, but has a thriving cultural scene too. All year round visitors can enjoy festivals dedicated to local music, food and art, while the town’s other attractions include a local history museum, a golf course and even an annual science fair.
Home to one of the highest cable cars in the world, the ride to the Aiguille de Midi, nearly 12,000 feet up the slopes of the famous Mont Blanc mountain, is a must-see tourist attraction no matter what time of year you visit Chamonix.
The towns and villages around the Puy de Sancy offer picturesque scenery all year round with their own impressive cable car ride to the top of the Sancy itself ,where visitors can enjoy fabulous views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Skiing facilities in this area are excellent too, and the gentle slopes are particularly popular with those who are just starting out on the snow.
Meanwhile, the ski runs at Les Portes de Soleil are much more suited to those with some experience, though participants in other sports are well catered for. Whether you want to try Nordic skiing in the winter months or tackle some tough hiking and climbing routes in the summer, you will find it all within easy reach of the resort.
 La Tania has the perfect choice of ski chalets if you are looking for a getaway. It is set in stunning surroundings and has challenging skiing but also some slopes that are well-suited to beginners. The destination has become particularly popular with both the French and the British in recent years.
This skiing location is in the Trois Vallees, in France, and the resort offers a wide range of activities, which are particularly suited to those travelling with children. There are nursery slopes where children can learn to ski and there is a ski lift running from the centre of the village taking more experienced skiers to the top of the slopes.
Beginners will be able to learn the basics as there are 15 green runs which they can choose to practice on. For expert skiers there are plenty of options and they can ski at numerous slopes around the resort. If you are interested in higher altitude skiing then heading to Val Thorens is a great option.
Even if you have ventured away from some of the closest ski slopes you will not have to worry about getting back to the resort as there is a good road network which will always lead back to La Tania.
La Tania is a much more cost-effective location that other skiing locations in France and there are a wide range of chalets available for any budget. All of these chalets have stunning views over the surrounding area and the normal amenities that you would expect from a ski chalet.
For parents travelling with children who would like to go skiing alone for a time then there are nannies who can come to your chalet to look after your children while you enjoy some time alone on the slopes. There are also daycare facilities available at the resort.
 If you are looking for a pretty resort in the heart of the French Alps then it is a good idea to head to Meribel. This is a skiing location with something to offer people of all skill levels and it provides the perfect destination for a relaxing skiing holiday. That said, there is another side to the ski resort and that is the night life.
Some resorts in France have a very limited number of bars and these are often very far apart from each other. For the skier who wants to go on a bar crawl in the evening this can be very challenging as you won’t want to walk long distances in the snow. Meribel offers a very different experience and there are several bars packed together in the same area. There are also many clubs with parties that continue late into the night.
Le Rond Point has developed a bit of a reputation for its parties that occur after people finish skiing and there is often great live music playing in the early part of the evening. There are also several other locations nearby were live music is performed and bands are capable of getting everyone up for some dancing.
Another location for particularly friendly after skiing events is Lodge de Village. This location also serves good food and there is a chairlift nearby for easy access to other locations. This bar is actually located in Meribel Village which is separate from Meribel proper, but there is a bus that connects the two places and it only takes a few minutes to get between them.
Jack’s is a party filled location with a regular happy hour running for an hour from 9PM. There are also frequent theme evenings being run at the bar and often comedy nights are held with big names such as Al Murray.
Another central bar is Barometer which is known for having special offers on its drinks with some of them being available for as little as one euro. Another bar called Scott’s has a two for one cocktail deal every day. If you’re looking for a more upmarket establishment then you would be wise to head to Le Poste which attracts more French people and is generally a less raucous establishment.
If you are looking for a cosy location then La Taverne is the place to be, it has a more relaxed atmosphere and serves up some good food. There is also free Wi-Fi if you have a laptop, and computers to use if you do not. Drinks here are also very reasonably priced compared to elsewhere and there are often excellent live DJs.
Once the bars have closed nightclubs in the area start-up, there are two main locations that are frequented by very different crowds. One of them is called Les Saint Peres which is very popular with the French and hosts notable live DJs on Monday nights. The other option is Dick’s Tea Bar, which is much more popular with English clientele.
 The region around the French Alps is one of the most popular with British skiers, with many returning year after year to enjoy the scenery, amenities and excellent winter sports facilities.
Almost 300,000 travellers head from the UK for the French slopes each year – no doubt drawn by the short flights, but also by the unique attractions that the region has to offer. Whether you’re an experienced skier looking for the challenge of a black run, or a novice searching for the right nursery slopes to learn a new skill, there will be a resort in the French Alps that will suit your needs.
After all, there are over 200 resorts to choose from in the French Alps region, each with its own charms and its own particular winter sports speciality. Some are little more than villages while others feel more like large cities in the busy winter months; some are aimed at families taking youngsters away on their first skiing trip while others have a lively apres-ski scene for those more interested in nightlife than life on the slopes.
The Grand Massif is the largest of the resorts in the French Alps, actually made up of a series of smaller resorts linked by cable cars and chair lifts, and served by nearly 280 kilometres of ski slopes. In fact, many of the resorts that make up the Grand Massif are not resorts at all, but traditional Alpine villages that have adapted to provide accommodation and entertainment for visitors. The larger town of Flaine is the only part of the Grand Massif that was built recently,with skiing holidays in mind.
No matter what your skiing level, there will be slopes and activities in the Grand Massif to suit your experience. Add to this range of slopes the fact that you have so many packed into a relatively small area, most first-time visitors find themselves surprised by the lack of queues at the lifts, even at the busiest part of the day.
Travelling between the resorts that make up the Grand Massif couldn’t be easier, whether you make use of the chair lifts and cable cars strung between the villages or hop on the courtesy buses that run between the major tourist centres. Both options make exploring the different slopes, and the different villages, very easy.
As with most resorts in the French Alps, the Grand Massif is also home to an excellent ski school which has classes for adult beginners as well as children, run by the well-established and well-known ESF chain. Even if you have been skiing before, a quick refresher lesson with an instructor can be just the thing to restore your confidence before you head for the slopes.
Of course, a ski resort can have the best slopes and the best amenities in the world, but without a regular and reliable snowfall there is little point in visiting. Luckily, the French Alps are known for their perfect skiing conditions all winter long, and many resorts have been known to employ snow cannons on the lower slopes if Mother Nature hasn’t played her part.
 Some of the best ski slopes in the world can be found in the French Alps, and as well as skiing there are many other winter sports available such as tobogganing, ski touring and snowboarding. Anyone who wants a perfect winter family holiday can find exactly what they want with the vast choice of French ski resorts which have something for everyone.
Planning a skiing holiday in France for the family will need a big investment of both time and money, and you will want your experience to at least match, if not exceed, your expectations. The biggest part of any holiday is the accommodation, and by following a few easy rules it is relatively simple to find your perfect holiday accommodation in a French ski resort.
The key to a great family holiday is to go where other families go, so look for the resorts that are tagged as family orientated. You also want to make sure that the accommodation is close to the ski runs and the shops and restaurants. You also want a resort with both gentle and nursery slopes that are suitable for both children and adults who are taking their first foray into skiing.
Other things to look for are services such as creches, Internet access, a fireplace, a sauna, a washing machine and a dishwasher. Having childcare and suitable amenities will enable parents to relax and be safe in the knowledge that their children are both safe and enjoying themselves.
The ideal accommodation is in a chalet where you can stay with your family and someone cooks your evening meal for you, provides your breakfasts and cleans the chalet while you are out having fun. This may sound idealistic but is very common in the great ski resorts of the French Alps and help to make a good holiday into a great holiday.
 France is proving itself to be the market leader in green skiing resorts, a phenomenon that is becoming more in demand every year as holidaymakers worry about the impact their trips are having on the environment.
Of course, there is little the resorts themselves can do about the carbon footprint of flights from the UK, but at least once you arrive at the green resort of Morzine, and its neighbours Les Gets and Avoriaz, you can enjoy your time on the slopes with a clear conscience.
Morzine is home to one of Europe’s first organic ski slopes, an attraction that was first developed in the mountains of North America. Known locally as “The Stash” the slope has been built to fit into its environment without damaging trees, causing soil erosion or affecting the habitat of local wildlife. The Stash isn’t just about green skiing, however, and can offer even experienced skiers a challenging run.
Although most of your transport in Morzine will be on skis, you do have to consider the impact of taxis and public transport in whichever resort you choose for your holiday. The small town of Avoriaz has solved this problem for the ethical skier by banishing all cars and buses from its centre, turning the whole area over to pedestrians and cyclists, both night and day.
Finally, Les Gets has gone green by thinking about the future, planting new trees to replace those destroyed in the development of the resort as well as focusing on projects that protect the natural environment from the potential damage caused by tourism and tourists.
These factors combined ensure that skiers looking for a green tinge to their winter snow should consider the Morzine area for their next trip.
 Paradiski lets you ski its new 425km of pistes on 17th December Paradiski, the huge ski area in the French Alps that incorporates la Plagne, les Arcs and Peisey, and is home to the enormous cable car, the Vanoise Express, opened for business on Saturday the 17th December at 9am.
Now that they are fully open in time for the Christmas season, Paradiski have confirmed that the entire 425km of pistes is available to skiers, all due the recent heavy snow fall that have resulted in perfect winter snow conditions.
The whole domain underwent one last final check before it opened its doors; the tracks were beaconed, any residual damage that was found was rectified, and the mechanical equipment was given a last once over.
With over 70% of Paradiski situated above 2000m, it offers the ideal altitude to make the most of the winter snow conditions [at the moment temperatures are averaging 0 degrees during the day, dropping to minus figures during the night]. At 1200 metres, all activities will be accessible thanks to the recent heavy snowfall.
Eight years after its creation, Paradiski – which connects the stations of Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne – houses more and more holiday makers from France and beyond. For this winter 2011/2012, Paradiski has invested 21,7 million Euro for the construction of infrastructure, replacement of equipment and reinvestment and expansion of equipment for cultivating the snow.
On the morning of the 17th December Christmas holiday makers will take to the slopes to enjoy a range of snowsports.
To see the live web-cams of the Paradiski domain:
http://www.lesarcs.com/webcams
http://www.la-plagne.com/fr/hiver/autres/webcams.html
Paradiski in figures : 3 resorts, 20 destinations. Altitude from 1 200 to 3 250 m. 2 equipped glaciers at over 3000 m altitude. 425 km of slopes. 3 snow parks, 3 boardercross, 4 boardergliss, 2 half-pipe, 2 toboggan slopes. 246 hectares of artificial snow, 755 snow canons. 153 km of cross-country and Nordic ski trails. 102 096 beds. Access us at www.paradiski.com
 La Tania is a great location for those who are seeking a skiing holiday. This is a location that is becoming ever more popular with French and British skiers looking to find a place with outstanding beauty and also challenging ski slopes. It is also a location which is known for its excellent value skiing holidays and is perfect for a family getaway.
The resort offers an incredible range of ski experiences and has slopes that would suit everyone from beginner to expert. There is even a special area where children can learn to ski on nursery slopes, for children who want to come to learn to ski then this can really be the perfect place but it also offers plenty of more challenging skiing opportunities for parents.
The resort is particularly suited towards beginners who know the basics of skiing, there are plenty of green slopes where a beginner can start to master what they have already learned. For skiers who are more advanced there is the Three Valleys area which offers a much more challenging set of slopes.
Those who want to do some skiing at high altitude can visit Val Thorens which can be found at the Courchevel couloirs. For those who want to explore the area and get some off the traditional slopes then you won’t run the risk of getting lost as the area has excellent infrastructure and you will always be able to find a road taking you back to La Tania.
For those who are looking to save money on a skiing holiday then the best option can be to rent a ski chalet. La Tania is a particularly good area for those who are on a budget as there are a wide range of chalets with prices to suit anyone. All of the chalets have excellent amenities and enjoy spectacular views over the surrounding area.
As previously mentioned the area is perfect for a family skiing holiday and if parents want to get away from the children and do some skiing alone then there are plenty of nannies in the area who can come and babysit children. There are also daycare facilities in the area these can be used 24 hours a day and this means that parents can take a well needed rest at any point.
La Tania is also very easy to reach and there are five airports in the surrounding area each of which takes around two or three hours to get to. The closest airport is Chambery airport which is around 90 minutes drive away. It is also possible to reach the area through Geneva airport, Grenoble airport, or the airport in Lyon. There are also excellent train connections to the resort if you choose to come by land and excellent road connections which make it very easy to drive to the resort.
 Skiing in France with your family can be a very enjoyable and memorable experience but it is something that needs to be well planned if you’re going to make the most of your holiday.
One of the most enjoyable times to go skiing is as a beginner when everyone in the family is learning how to ski for the first time. France is a skiing destination with well-established facilities for people of all skiing levels and this can make it the ideal location for a first skiing holiday.
The Alps host some of the most famous skiing resorts in France and their fame is well-deserved and they have some of the best skiing that can be found anywhere in the world. Meribel is a skiing destination that is very popular as it is easy to reach.
It also has some excellent skiing opportunities for beginners and for more advanced skiers there are plenty of off piste opportunities. The area has an excellent network of ski lifts so that you can make the most of your time on the slopes. Accommodation in the area is also excellent and there are plenty of restaurants to suit all budgets.
Chamonix is a destination that really has something to suit everyone, for the budget seeker there are a great range of self-catered chalets and for someone seeking a luxury there are a great many excellent hotels. The area is particularly known for having excellent ski schools so you are just starting out with skiing or looking to improve your technique then this can be the right destination to head to.
Courchevel is particularly suitable for families as there are a great range of gentle slopes, appropriate for children, and a good choice of accomodation. The ski lifts in the area are also designed with children’s safety in mind as they have a magnetic system to hold children in place while on the left. There are also a good range of bars, shopping opportunities and restaurants in the region and plenty of activities for children to enjoy.
When you are choosing accommodation for your family skiing holiday it is important to consider many factors. One of the most popular options is renting a catered chalet as these avoid some of the hassle associated with having to cook yourself but are less formal than a hotel environment.
Some ski resorts and accommodation options have better childcare facilities than others so it’s important to investigate these as having your children taken care of while you enjoy the slopes can be a nice way to relax.
It can also be very enjoyable to share accommodation with other families so consider renting a large chalet with another family as this will give you a more enjoyable experience and will also mean we save on costs.
If this is the first time you have come on a skiing holiday then it is important to consider whether there are appropriate tuition facilities. As well as ski schools make sure that there are gentle slopes for you to get started on.
 Very significant discounts are being offered to those who want to ski in the Alps this Christmas and New Year and many companies are offering discounts that are better than half price. One company is offering a week’s skiing which normally retails for £975 for an incredibly discounted rate of just £400.
The lower cost of skiing in Bulgaria has attracted people away from France where skiing is more expensive. A recent study has shown that a skiing holiday for four, for a week, costs just £800 in Bulgaria, the equivalent price in France would be twice this.
The research has been done by the Post Office and it also showed that the cost of a family going skiing has fallen by a fifth in the last two years alone. This is partly due to the increased popularity of cheap ski resort in places like Bulgaria. Sarah Munro is a representative from the Post Office and she has commented, “For families who are looking to save money on a skiing holiday then Bulgaria is a great option, you simply get much more for your money.”
France has typically been the country that dominated European skiing but competition from countries like Slovenia and Bulgaria have threatened their position. Currently France holds nearly 40% of the market for British skiers and while Bulgaria only holds 4%, the market share of France is at its lowest since 2005.
A lack of snow at the start of the season in France has meant that skiing in the area has been negatively affected. Some reports are saying this is the worst start to a season for nearly 150 years. There is also being a slump in consumer demand and this has meant that skiing holidays have been heavily discounted. Some companies are even offering free ski passes.
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Ski resorts in the French Alps may be well known for their winter sports facilities, but many have other attractions that continue to draw visitors long after the snow has melted in the spring.
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