| and European ski holidays industry is understandably | | | | tourists France has been least flexible on her opening |
| nervous about its prospects for the 2009 season - | | | | dates. Perhaps the French tourist authorities know |
| it's the first time for over a decade that they have | | | | something no-one else does, but certainly they know |
| entered the start of the year with a full blown global | | | | they have some great ski areas. |
| recession, and how many people will be taking ski | | | | La Grave for example is a diverse French ski holidays |
| holidays is very much an unanswered question. | | | | area in the south-east of the country and the |
| With the majority of ski holidays not booked until | | | | location of 'La Meije'. Three summits comprise La |
| January and February, it will be a while before resort | | | | Meije with the highest summit being 3,984 metres. |
| owners and hotels can measure the impact the | | | | Mountaineers and rock climbers challenge themselves |
| recession has had on the ski holidays business this | | | | to reach the highest summit of La Meije. The very |
| year, but they are bracing themselves for a sharp | | | | first successful climb was by Emmanuel Boileau de |
| decline in visitor numbers and spending. | | | | Castelneu and Pierre Gaspard and his son on August |
| And many skiers who do book early might hold off | | | | 16, 1877. Glacier climbing or ice climbing is a very |
| this year to see when the ski holiday companies cut | | | | popular sport in La Grave as well as more |
| their prices, which many will do if sales have been | | | | conventional skiing and snowboarding. |
| slow up to mid January. | | | | Much of the La Grave la Meije ski area is glacier and |
| But among the gloomy headlines of economic woe | | | | considered dangerous. Guided skiing is recommended. |
| and predictions of doom for the ski resorts in | | | | Extreme skiers find a great deal of fascination and |
| Andorra, France, Austria, Switzerland, Canada and the | | | | appeal in La Grave la Meije due to the enormous |
| US has come some good news - the snow has fallen | | | | vertical drops and extreme ski conditions. |
| early, and the ski resorts in both Europe and North | | | | If it's a first time ski holiday then the La Plagne area |
| America have opened early - in Europe's case it's the | | | | might be a better option for a French ski holiday. |
| first time in four years the snow has fallen early | | | | Nestled atop a magnificent glacier on Mount Bellecote, |
| enough for the ski season to start in full swing, and | | | | La Plagne is a world class ski area. Surrounded by the |
| not having to rely on the snow making machines. | | | | majestic Vanoise Massif Mountains in the Graian Alps, |
| Andorra for example opened her ski facilities for the | | | | La Plagne beckons both the experienced and novice |
| weekend of November 22 and 23, and thousands of | | | | skier. It is spread over an altitude of 1250 to 3250 |
| Spaniards flocked into the tiny Principality to take full | | | | meters. |
| advantage of the first of the 2008/9 skiing - and in | | | | The resort was built in 1961 with the hope of |
| the process got Andorra's tourism off to a flying | | | | attracting tourism money. It was largely conceived in |
| start at the time she needed it most. | | | | the interest of four small mountain villages. The |
| Andorra is a small country in the Pyrenees, and has | | | | fledgling towns were dying and hoped to capitalise on |
| borders with both France and Spain. Skiing is a major | | | | the gorgeous natural beauty of the area. Today's La |
| part of the country's revenue. Andorra ski holiday | | | | Plagne is comprised of many different and distinctive |
| trips started in the early 1980's as a cheap alternative | | | | villages. All are linked to one another by ski lifts and |
| to ski holidays in France, but in recent years Andorra | | | | trails for those who prefer cross country skiing. The |
| has spent millions on improving her infrastructure. | | | | villages continue to expand, giving it a competitive |
| Included in the upgrade of facilities for Andorra has | | | | edge when it comes to tourism revenue. |
| not only been public spending on roads and improved | | | | Even the non skier will find something to love about |
| access to the skiing areas, but private capital | | | | La Plagne. Non skiers may choose from over 50 pubs |
| investment in some very good quality hotels, with | | | | and restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. |
| many hotels in Andorra now recognised as of a good | | | | After dark visitors can hit one of the resort's many |
| international standard and achieving 4 or 5 star status. | | | | night clubs for an evening of dancing and partying. |
| Other than skiing Andorra is also a tax haven, with | | | | Numerous daytime activities entertain and engage |
| many people taking residency and buying Andorra | | | | those who choose not to ski as well. |
| property. | | | | But with a good amount of snow already in the area, |
| Andorra's big neighbour France is also worried about | | | | doing some skiing at least might prove too hard to |
| her prospects for the ski holiday seasons ahead - but | | | | resist for most. |
| of all the countries that have a good amount of ski | | | | |