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 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.
 Europe has been seeing unusually warm weather and this is having a very negative effect on the ski season in France. Many of the ski areas are unable to open on the slopes because temperatures have been around 2.5°C above the normal temperature. Many areas have snow machines to make up for a lack of snow, but the temperature is so high that even these are not capable of working.
There are 12 main resorts in the French Alps that are popular with tourists from Britain and nine of these haven’t yet started their season. Les Deux Alps normally has around 100 runs open during the high season but currently only 12 are running. By this time last year, almost every piste in France was already open.
For Britons looking to ski, France is the most popular destination and nearly half a million people heading there every year. Austria is the next most popular option with around a quarter of a million people heading there and Italy sees around 150,000 visitors. Some of the bigger resorts have had some success generating enough snow with snow cannons but for most of them this has been impossible. The lack of snow is going to very be bad for the hotel business.
 Located in the east of France are the Rhone-Alpes Mountains and in the heart of them is the department of Savoie. This is home to some of France’s best, and most exclusive, ski resorts. The area is not just limited to skiing however, and even in the summer months you will find plenty to do.
If you want to explore historic towns there are plenty of them all around this mountainous area, and there is also some spectacular scenery to enjoy. Some of the most famous spa towns in France in this region and this can be a great way to relax after exploring the mountains.
The south-east of the region hosts most of the ski resorts including Val d’Isere and Meribel, these are some of the most expensive skiing resorts in France and are unaffordable for most in the winter months.
If you’re visiting the summer there is less skiing and so the resorts become much more affordable. If you have come for the scenery, rather than the skiing, then this can be a fantastic way to get an affordable holiday in a wonderful part of France.
The Baroque art trail goes through some of the chapels and churches of the villages in the department. If you want to see some particularly spectacular altarpieces then it is worth visiting the villagers of Termignon and Valloire. If you’re looking for something a little bit more exciting than taking a drive on the roads that run through the Alps can be great fun.
They twist and turn and there are sheer drops off the sides of the road. One of the most spectacular stretches of road goes through Savoie. The Bourget Lake is in this part of France and it is a stunning glacial lake, its surroundings add to its incredible beauty.
 The winter in Europe always marks the time when people like to get away for an adventure holidays in the snow, and there is nothing more popular for this than skiing. For those who decide to take a skiing holiday in France it is something that they find themselves returning to regularly.
France has a huge selection of ski lifts and slopes for all levels and it is one of the most developed tourism locations for skiing in all of Europe. Many people also enjoy the activities that you can take part in other than skiing in the region, as there is a great deal of night life and good restaurants in many parts of the French Alps.
Many people might think that if they haven’t booked a skiing holiday in advance it is something that they will not be able to do. However, in recent years it has become increasingly easy to book a last-minute holiday in the French Alps if you need to get away.
In fact, booking last-minute can have several advantages and you might find that accommodation is significantly discounted for last-minute deals. Generally, these can most easily be found in chalets or apartments but you will also find hotels might have discounts.
If you want to do some adventure skiing then Chamonix is one of the best destinations in the country and it is also known for its spectacular surrounding scenery. There is a good variation of skiing slopes in the area and some of it is well-developed but there is also a great deal of pistes that have not been groomed.
There is also a large sports complex in the area which has an ice rink, if you feel like taking some time off from the slopes and there are also a great many tennis courts, swimming pools, and also a fitness centre.
What’s worn on the slopes has long been scrutinised by the media and women at large with both groups eager to ensure no ski fashion faux pas have occurred and equally as interested in bringing slope fashion to the streets.
With the ski season due to arrive in December retailers are well stocked with fashionable ski jackets, salopettes, snow boots and other ski attire, ready for the skiing masses both on and off the piste.
Since commercialised skiing began, it has always been associated with wealth and glamour having paved the way for the après ski scene; and, who could forget fashion icon Audrey Hepburn in that now famous Givenchy ski suit.
For those previously unacquainted, the après ski scene refers to the social atmosphere at many of the ski resorts around the world. At the end of the day’s run, many skiers and snowboarders will visit the pubs and clubs around the ski resorts to dance, drink and socialise. As with any social occasion, what’s being worn and by whom is of great interest both within the confines of the club or bar and for designers and fashionistas eager to create or wear the latest trends.
Après ski fashion is reflected in many winter items worn by women nowadays with ski jackets, salopettes and womens snow boots being the most prominent pieces seen outside of the slopes. Since picking up on this phenomenon, savvy designers and retailers alike are using different fabrics, styles and colours to create garments resulting in a seemingly endless variety of snow boots, ski jackets and salopettes to choose from.
Several ski retailers have adopted the successful and intelligent strategy of segmenting their market, creating multiple lines of ski clothing in order to cater to the specific needs of their varied audience. For example many women are unlikely to ever wear their snow boots, ski jackets or salopettes outside of the ski resort bars.
With a few ski resorts having already opened in Europe and the remaining due to welcome skiers and snowboarders in upcoming weeks the season is predicted to be enduring, festive and fashionable.
This article has been brought to you by GO Outdoors
 In the Portes du Soleil you will find the picturesque ski resort of Chatel which is the largest linked ski area in the whole world. It is a particularly good destination for people who are travelling with children as there are plenty of facilities to cater towards them.
There is a kindergarten run at the resort where children as young as three years old can start to learn skiing. The resort is easily accessible by a ski bus from the nearby village and it has a clubhouse with indoor activities and refreshments. There are plenty of skiing opportunities to suit beginners and there are instructors, who speak excellent English, to help beginners learn the basics.
There are ski schools for children which award them with medals of achievement. Lessons cover everything, from how to start on skis to how to use a ski lift. At the skiing school for children, there is a snow machine so that snow is guaranteed on the slopes. So if you are coming with your child there is sure to be a place for them to learn how to ski.
There are several ski schools in the nearby village and these include ESF and ESSI. Both of these schools have the option of teaching private lessons or lessons in a group. They target children who are as young as four years old and they ski in two of the main areas at Chatel, Super Chatel and Pre la Joux.
ESSI is an international ski school which has easy meeting points and has very small class sizes. All of the ski instructors speak English and are easy to understand. ESF has great value for money and their private lessons are particularly good value. The ski areas where these lessons are held very easily accessed by a special ski bus or if you are coming by car.
Super Chatel can be reached from the centre of the village by a gondola which will allow parents and children to easily reach the mountain. For those who are new to skiing just riding on the gondola will already make them feel as if they are having a skiing adventure. There are a beginner slopes near the end stop of the gondola and there are some tobogganing runs for all to enjoy.
Pre la Joux has a lift which skiers and pedestrians can take to get up and down the mountain. Even non-skiers sometimes enjoy travelling up the mountain to enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants or relax on a sun terrace. All people who visit this skiing area will find something to suit their skill level and there are plenty of activities and lessons to keep children entertained.
France is covered in top class ski resorts where both professionals and beginners enjoying hitting the slopes day after day during a holiday there. Those put off by the idea of a holiday been solely based on skiing obviously haven’t considered the many alternative activities on offer for tourists.
A lot of the popular resorts are close to or based in towns which have great history and a peaceful serenity that many people come to enjoy. France itself is a great country to enjoy fine food and fantastic wines, so simply walking the streets of nearby towns and cities will open a world of shopping and cuisine.
If you still want to enjoy and explore the scenery but not by skiing, then consider the alternative such as hiking or mountain biking. In some places you will easily find a bicycle shop renting out bikes for you to make you own adventure whilst holidaying in France. This way you can explore the nation at your own pace and in a way that is a little more familiar.
If you are travelling with children then you may want to consider biking as a safer option as opposed to skiing on the mountains. Many families keen on biking holidays explore the southern regions of France, though they tend to bring bicycles along rather than pay for rental and you will find kids bikes online these days at very reasonable prices.
There are plenty alternatives for people looking to enjoy the winter resorts or other areas within the south of France rather than the typical skiing options. This makes the French region one of the most popular with tourists coming from the UK.
 Going skiing this season is going to be cheaper, a study has recently shown, as the prices are around a third cheaper than they were last year. This is because the holidays for school children in the UK are not clashing with those of Paris so there is less demand for places. However, according to a recent report by PlanetSKI not all ski operators have lowered their prices.
Cathy Rankin is the marketing director for PlanetSKI in the UK and she has commented, “The fact that the holidays in France and Britain are not clashing this year means that prices should be significantly lower.” An apartment with four bedrooms located in Les Terrasses d’Azur will cost just under £730 this winter which is significantly cheaper than the price in 2010.
Of course, with less people around the slopes are going to be less crowded which is a major advantage for skiers. They will not be empty though as some regions of France do have the same holiday but it’s by no means a majority. Normally, half term is one of the most expensive weeks in the season because demand is high and ski operators are not offering any discounts.
Various ski operators have been saying that demand has been high and so they are reluctant to offer discounts, however, there are no current figures available so potential customers are just having to take them at their word. France remains the most popular location for snowboarders and skiers from Britain and has a share of the market at over 30%.
Lisa Tyrrell is the spokesperson for Inghams which is one of the best-known tour operators for skiing in the UK. She has commented, “During the February half term next year skiing is going to be very enjoyable as prices should be lower and the slopes should be less busy. There will be fewer queues for the lifts and the slopes will be quieter.” PlanetSKI has a partnership with Inghams and together they are offering some good deals on their winter skiing holidays.
One location that is particularly popular with British skiers is Val d’Isere. Jane Jaquemond, is a representative from the tourist office in the region and she is commented, “It is understandable why this skiing location is so popular with the British, it offers great service, a beautiful resort as well as fantastic skiing in the Alps. We are sure that the relationship between this area and the British skier is going to continue for a long time.”
Chalet Almach is a three star resort in Val d’Isere and for skiing with seven nights accommodation the price is set at just over £1000 per person. Chalet Les Danaides is also a three star resort and for £1100 skiers can have one week on the slopes with food and flights included. Resort transfers are also included in the price.
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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.
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