Ski France

The French Alps has an air of glamour and prestige about it. Pretty chalet style architecture, craggy mountains and excellent food and wine help set the tone and make it a truly beautiful ski destination, and far prettier than any resort one might find over the pond.

The French have a wonderful knack of getting the atmosphere just right! After all, from a nation who derives so much fame from their opulent style and elegance one might certainly expect their cosseted ski resorts to follow suit.

And prices seem to remain on the better side of “reasonable” too. You can almost find a resort to suit your budget and it has to be said that within each resort, no matter how glitzy, you can always find a cheaper beer or a pizzeria.

Après ski is always well catered for in France, from live bands to late night bars, colourful cafés to Discoteques, you name it – the French have got it wrapped up!

Of course no successful ski resort would be complete without boutique shopping, family facilities and beginner ski services. Again something the French do very well.

Families can choose between the local crèche, kids club or group ski school to a private nanny or one-on-one instructor. The choice is there, however the demand is too – so make sure you book your extras as soon as you can, especially if you are travelling over one of the four peak weeks of the season: Christmas, New Year, Easter and of course the dreaded February half term!

Skiing in France

Beginner ski enthusiasts will find the same group ski classes which provide a team camaraderie, for learning to ski with others in the same boat as you. English speaking instructors and well structured lessons include a class for all levels of skier or snowboarder. Beginners, progressive beginners, intermediate, carve turns and slope style, then advanced and off piste technique - the list of levels goes on!

Skiing in France is of course incomplete without a sample of their excellent cuisine and fine wines. Cauldrons of local stews and speciality dishes such as Tartiflete provide a welcome lunch or an après-ski energy boost, before the traditional 3 course menus will be served by chalet girls aplenty in the various catered chalets dotted around resort.

Certainly the catered chalet is the most popular option, creating a home from home environment where skiers and snowboarders can mix and enjoy a convivial atmosphere with long and lazy dinners in front of a roaring log fire after a hard days skiing the spectacular mountains of the French Alps.