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French Alps

tourismerfo on 01 15, 2011

If you see yourself as a bit of a pro on the slopes look no further than France. When it comes to skiing, it is one of Europe’s top destinations. The towering French Alps which border both France and Italy, are home to Western Europe’s highest mountain Mont Blanc which stands at 4,810 m (15,781 ft) above sea level and are reliably dusted with snow all year round.

France has hundreds of kilometres of ski slopes, in some of the most spectacular mountains in the world. From snowboard slopes for the kids to pro black slopes, there is skiing for everybody all over the country; just as every traveller has a unique personality, so do each of these ski resorts. What is more, France was recently reported to have enjoyed one of the best winters for the past 30 years with more substantial and regular snowfall than many similar skiing regions.

Top 3 skiing areas in the French Alps

1. Les Portes du Soleil is the most Northern of all the ski areas in France, including what has been named the capital of snowboarding which can be found at Avoriaz. If you are taking the children for their first experience of alpine life, The Morzine ski pass includes ski-runs reserved for children only and the La Chapelle d’Abondance is reknowned for its family friendly atmosphere.
2. Tignes and Val d’Isère are very mountainous, offering  300 km of pistes to be enjoyed, with many of them standing at 2,500 metres in altitude which allows skiers to ski all year round. This area offers a good number of pistes for beginners and relatively inexperienced skiers, as well as pistes for the more intrepid. Val d’Isère is reputedly the most expensive ski resort in Europe and proudly hosts a major world ski championship event which takes place early December every year.
3. Les Trois Vallées are made up of Courchevel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires, and it is the world’s largest ski area accessible with a single pass. To ensure that no skiers are left feeling cheated if there is little snow fall there are almost 2000 snow cannons, which will guarantee a number of pistes will be open. Courchevel, with its collection of Michelin starred restaurants, is reputed as one of the most up-market resorts in the French Alps, on a par with Zermatt and St. Moritz.

Choosing the French Alps as your winter get away will be a chic, elegant and exclusive experience with a cosmopolitan ambience. Each resort perched on the mountainside with stunning panoramas and state of the art facilities will provide unforgettable holiday memories!