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French Holiday Ideas | Skiing holidays in France
For fans of the piste – from lovers of downhill skiing seeking a vast range of slopes to explore, to fun-loving snowboarders looking for après ski clubs and parties – France has options in abundance. It’s no surprise that thousands of snow fans head there every winter to enjoy the fresh air, all-action opportunities and hugely appealing alpine ambience.
There are lots of options to consider, and not just geographically (you can head to the Alps, with its mega-resorts in the shadow of Mont Blanc to quieter spots in the Pyrénées and even the family-friendly resorts like Les Rousses and Métabief in the Jura).
For this, places like Val D’Isère, Courchevel and Méribel fit the bill, though they often come with a price-tag to match. But don’t forget that there are many much smaller resorts that retain a charming olde-worlde feel with a vieux village at their heart. Places like Samoëns and Peisey-Vallandry allow a glimpse into a traditional alpine way of life as well as access to excellent skiing.
One of the key factors in France’s popularity is easy access. Airports at Chambéry, Grenoble, Geneva in Switzerland (just a couple of hours’ transfer to most main resorts in the Alps) and, increasingly, Lyon, all offer excellent connections to the slopes with low-cost airlines from with most regional UK airports.
France has a fantastic reputation for welcoming all levels of skiing expertise on its pistes. If you are a complete novice, you can take lessons with the brilliantly well-drilled École de Ski instructors and then pootle along at your own pace on the gentle slopes found at the foot of most resorts. Meanwhile more experienced skiers can hit the endless black ruins and off-piste areas that each resort offers.
The choice of accommodation is also very flexible – select either a self-catered chalet or apartment, a fully catered experience or even a hotel room to best suit your budget and needs.
Once thing that features everywhere, however, is the chance to enjoy some staples of the ski experience – hearty mountain food such as fondue, raclette and tartiflette to restore energy after an exhilarating day on the slopes.
By: Katharine Barrau
Search for Skiing chalet in the Alps
Search for Skiing chalet in the Pyrenees
There are lots of options to consider, and not just geographically (you can head to the Alps, with its mega-resorts in the shadow of Mont Blanc to quieter spots in the Pyrénées and even the family-friendly resorts like Les Rousses and Métabief in the Jura).
You may wish to hit the towns that are purpose-made to welcome large numbers, coming as they do with all the facilities you would expect of a major tourist destination.
The ski resorts of Alpe D'huez©Laurent Salino
For this, places like Val D’Isère, Courchevel and Méribel fit the bill, though they often come with a price-tag to match. But don’t forget that there are many much smaller resorts that retain a charming olde-worlde feel with a vieux village at their heart. Places like Samoëns and Peisey-Vallandry allow a glimpse into a traditional alpine way of life as well as access to excellent skiing.
One of the key factors in France’s popularity is easy access. Airports at Chambéry, Grenoble, Geneva in Switzerland (just a couple of hours’ transfer to most main resorts in the Alps) and, increasingly, Lyon, all offer excellent connections to the slopes with low-cost airlines from with most regional UK airports.
France has a fantastic reputation for welcoming all levels of skiing expertise on its pistes. If you are a complete novice, you can take lessons with the brilliantly well-drilled École de Ski instructors and then pootle along at your own pace on the gentle slopes found at the foot of most resorts. Meanwhile more experienced skiers can hit the endless black ruins and off-piste areas that each resort offers.
The choice of accommodation is also very flexible – select either a self-catered chalet or apartment, a fully catered experience or even a hotel room to best suit your budget and needs.
Once thing that features everywhere, however, is the chance to enjoy some staples of the ski experience – hearty mountain food such as fondue, raclette and tartiflette to restore energy after an exhilarating day on the slopes.
By: Katharine Barrau
Search for Skiing chalet in the Alps
Search for Skiing chalet in the Pyrenees
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