| If you haven't skied before, live in Europe, and are | | | | Numerous daytime activities entertain and engage |
| considering a ski holiday this year, where do most | | | | those who choose not to ski as well. Winter-sport |
| people regard as a good place to head for? | | | | activities include ice skating, snowmobiling and |
| The answer is often the French Alps. | | | | cross-country skiing. |
| The Alpine Mountain Range is often referred to as | | | | Les Menuires |
| the 'Alps' and stretches across much of Europe. The | | | | Located in Belleville Valley, the Les Menuires ski |
| Alps are often divided into two categories - Eastern | | | | holidays resort hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics and |
| Alps and Western Alps. The Western Alps include the | | | | is part of the largest ski area in the world, Les Trois |
| mountains located in Italy, France and Switzerland. | | | | Valleys. The Three Valleys are comprised of several |
| Skiing in the French Alps is an adventure like no other. | | | | resorts that host millions of skiers per year. Les |
| Royalty, celebrities and people from all walks of life | | | | Menuires boasts 62 ski trails, advanced and beginner |
| can be found at various times skiing in the French | | | | ski slopes and 39 ski lifts. The resort's 48 restaurants |
| Alps. The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc | | | | offer foods ranging from fast food to fine cuisin and |
| at 4808 meters. | | | | is an excellent location for a French ski holiday |
| La Plagne | | | | La Grave la Meije |
| Nestled atop a magnificent glacier on Mount Bellecote | | | | La Grave is a commune in southeastern France and |
| is the world class skiing area of La Plagne. | | | | the location of La Meije. Three summits comprise La |
| Surrounded by the majestic Vanoise Massif Mountains | | | | Meije with the highest summit being 3,984 m. |
| in the Graian Alps, La Plagne resort beckons the avid | | | | Mountain climbers and rock climbers challenge |
| skier. It is spread over an altitude of 1250 to 3250 | | | | themselves to reach the highest summit of La Meije. |
| metres. The result is a variety of terrains and | | | | The very first successful climb was by Emmanuel |
| altitudes appealing to beginners and experts alike. | | | | Boileau de Castelneu and Pierre Gaspard and his son |
| The ski area was built in 1961 with the hope of | | | | on August 16, 1877. Glacier climbing or ice climbing is a |
| attracting tourism money. It was largely conceived in | | | | very popular sport in La Grave as well. One hundred |
| the interest of four small mountain villages. The | | | | to 300 metre climbing routes offer a variety of |
| fledgling towns were dying and hoped to capitalise on | | | | difficulty. |
| the gorgeous natural beauty of the area. Today's La | | | | Much of the La Grave la Meije ski area is glacier and |
| Plagne is comprised of many different and distinctive | | | | considered dangerous. Guided skiing is recommended. |
| villages. All are linked to one another by ski lifts and | | | | Extreme skiers find a great deal of fascination and |
| trails for those who prefer cross-country skiing. The | | | | appeal in La Grave la Meije due to the enormous |
| villages continue to expand, giving it a competitive | | | | vertical drops and extreme ski conditions - not for |
| edge when it comes to tourism revenue. | | | | those having a first ski holiday maybe! |
| Even the non-skier will find something to love about | | | | Visit for more French ski information and for Andorra |
| La Plagne. Non-skiers may choose from over 50 pubs | | | | too. |
| and restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. | | | | Companies who offer Andorra skiing holidays are |
| After dark visitors can hit one of the resort's many | | | | featured along with other Andorra information. |
| night clubs for an evening of dancing and partying. | | | | |