| What a fantastic year it's been for natural snowfall in | | | | its share of good bars and restaurants. If your |
| the Pyrenees and Alps, and for people who like to hit | | | | interests include food and wine, France is the country |
| the slopes, a holiday isn't a holiday unless you watch | | | | for you. You'll find great food and delectable wines at |
| the world shush by in a flurry of fresh snow. One of | | | | any price point, whether you are looking to splurge |
| the world's premier places to do that is in France. | | | | or for a more budget-friendly option. |
| Perhaps more known to some people for its fine | | | | With more than four hundred resorts for French ski |
| food and fashionable women, France is home to | | | | holidays to choose from, knowing which ski resort in |
| some of the best and most challenging ski areas on | | | | France is the best for you can be daunting. In |
| the planet. Les Trois Vallees (Three Valleys) is | | | | addition to those located in the Alps and the |
| comprised of the three valleys that include four | | | | Pyrenees, there are resorts in the Jura and Vosges |
| resorts: Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thoren and Les | | | | mountains, in the Massif Central and even on the |
| Menuires. This popular ski area spans an impressive | | | | island of Corsica. |
| 600 km of pistes: a skier's and snowboarder's | | | | One popular family-friendly resort in the French Alps |
| paradise! If you want to catch a glimpse of some | | | | is Isola 2000, located just 90 kms from |
| celebrities, Courchevel is your best bet. | | | | warm-weather destinations like Nice and the |
| France has two principal mountain ranges, making this | | | | Mediterranean. Built in the 1960s, today Isola 2000 is |
| country an ideal destination for a ski holiday. With | | | | a favorite ski destination for skiers of all skill levels. |
| both the Pyrenees and the Alps, there is no shortage | | | | If you want to ski the world renowned Alps, check |
| of places to hit the slopes in France. Skiing in France | | | | out the region's largest group of interconnected |
| doesn't have to be a winter-only pastime either, | | | | resorts at Les Portes du Soleil. These resorts span 14 |
| France also boasts some of the world's best summer | | | | valleys between Lake Geneva, Switzerland and Mont |
| glacier skiing. While your sun worshipping family | | | | Blanc, France. In total there are 13 resorts at Les |
| members are basking in the rays, you can still hit the | | | | Portes du Soleil that offer access to 650 km of |
| slopes. | | | | pistes and 230 lifts. Note that because the resorts |
| Ski resorts in France have something to suit | | | | straddle the border between two countries, you'll |
| everyone - there is quite a variety among the | | | | need to pack your passport for this trip! |
| resorts. There are the massive, purpose-driven | | | | Some ski resorts in France are geared toward |
| resorts like Flaine and the quaintest resorts, such as | | | | families and are quieter and offer more activities for |
| the farming villages of Megeve and Chatel. Don't | | | | the entire family to enjoy. Many resorts, however, |
| discount the more utilitarian resorts; they are the | | | | are geared toward a more adult lifestyle and offer a |
| epitome of convenience. In many cases you can | | | | full selection of nightlife options. At some resorts you |
| even ski from the slopes right to your hotel. When | | | | can even dance the night away until the sun comes |
| you are travelling with children, convenience is king. | | | | up. |
| The ski lift systems in France also vary from resort | | | | When it comes to skiing in France, options abound. If |
| to resort. At some ski resorts in France, you'll find | | | | you are on a family vacation with skiers of all abilities, |
| old-style single chair lifts, while at others you'll be | | | | there is a resort for you. If you are a partier and |
| lifted to the summit by a state-of-the-art, high tech, | | | | want to get your groove on after the lifts are |
| six seat cable cars. It just depends on the individual | | | | closed, you have choices too. Do your research |
| resort's amenities. Travellers to France hoping to get | | | | before you book to avoid any surprises, welcome or |
| in a lot of skiing ought to be aware that lift passes | | | | otherwise for your French ski holiday. |
| aren't cheap in France. Make sure you don't lose your | | | | The French and Swiss ski holiday seasons are nearly |
| pass when you indulge in your apres-ski activity of | | | | over, but many ski holiday resorts in France already |
| choice. There are lots of options for that in France, | | | | have their 2010 plans up and ready for viewing - visit |
| too. | | | | yourandorra.com/french_ski |
| Speaking of activities that don't involve shushing | | | | Andorra snow report and other ski holiday resources |
| down the slopes, almost every region of France has | | | | are also available at yourandorra. |