| Spoilt for choice | | | | intermediate, like myself. I’m intrigued by |
| Struggling to select a destination for your skiing | | | | descriptions of the car-free resort of Avoriaz, high |
| holiday? The French Alps offers an almost limitless | | | | near the Swiss border linking to the large Portes du |
| choice of resorts, from traditional to modern, and | | | | Soleil ski area. Suited to skiers of all ability, it’s |
| terrain to suit all levels of skier. This region is home to | | | | renowned for the design of its architecture and |
| some of the largest expanses of ski domain in the | | | | breathtaking location. Then, I’m tempted by the |
| world, including the vast Paradiski area which boasts | | | | many smaller, traditional resorts – for example |
| 425 km of pistes and serves a wide range of resorts | | | | Samoens in the Grand Massif – ‘undiscovered |
| – from traditional hamlets to the purpose-built | | | | gems’ where you can escape the crowds who |
| giants of Les Arcs and La Plagne. Both these resorts | | | | flock to the big names, drawn as much by their |
| comprise, in fact, a cluster of centres at varying | | | | après-ski allure as their reputation for good snow. |
| altitudes, each with its own character and | | | | Resorts like ever-popular Tignes and neighbouring Val |
| accommodation of all types – from chalet to | | | | d’Isere, in the Espace Killy, have an enviable |
| self-catering apartments and hotels. If you’re | | | | record for reliable snow. Then again, if you have a |
| thinking of exploring Paradiski, it pays to research | | | | young family, you can’t beat the likes of Val |
| which centre best suits your needs in more detail. If | | | | Thorens, Les Menuires, Courcheval and Meribel and |
| you’re seeking beauty and charm, it’s easy | | | | their smaller, lower-level neighbours La Tania and St |
| to get carried away by descriptions of resorts like | | | | Martin de Belleville in the Trois Vallees. These resorts |
| Chamonix, in the Mont Blanc massif . I was certainly | | | | combine the advantages of access to a wide-ranging |
| attracted when I read of its fin-de-siecle architecture, | | | | ski area suited to all abilities with a family-friendly |
| long-established reputation and stunning scenery. If I | | | | reputation and good range of accommodation. The |
| booked here, however, I’d be breaking the first | | | | few names I’ve mentioned only scratch the |
| rule of choosing a ski destination – checking the | | | | surface of what’s on offer in the French Alps; |
| suitability of its skiing. With technical, steep slopes and | | | | you will have your own ideas about what you |
| plenty of off-piste terrain, it is recommended for | | | | require, but I hope I’ve whetted your appetite |
| intermediate and advanced skiers and perhaps | | | | and given you some pointers. |
| wouldn’t suit someone at the lower end of | | | | |