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Global Destinations: Europe & UK
Destinations:
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Time to Plan a Ski
Trip to France
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Photo: Méribel panorama CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ThierryB. |
With autumn well on
the way, it is time to start planning an exciting skiing trip to France. The
following is a brief introduction into some of the more popular French skiing
locations to explore this coming winter season.
Méribel
Méribel Valley is
central to the Trois Vallées ski area, one of the biggest linked ski areas on
Earth. The valley offers approximately 150km of pistes but also gives access
to more than 600km pistes via 169 lifts and over 321 designated runs as well
as approximately 130km of cross country tracks. There are three ski schools
available to train every level of skier as well as snowboarding schools.
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Photo: Méribel Courchevel CC BY-SA 2.0 Leo-setä |
For accommodation,
there is a variety of hotels and resorts on offer from luxury through to
budget, but the more popular form of lodging for skiers these days tends to
be a luxury ski chalet in France.
For dining, Méribel offers a range of restaurants from the most expensive luxury options, through mid-range dining to the cheaper fare, meaning there is literally something on offer to suit every budget.
Chamonix
Chamonix offers more
than just one mountain – there are plenty to enjoy on a ski holiday. The
following offer everything needed for both skiing and snowboarding on a fun
trip.
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Photo: Chamonix CC BY-SA 2.0 blaise
ulysse vincent verien |
Aiguille du Midi is at
an altitude of 1035m to 3842m and offers two lifts, but no pistes.
Argentière/Les Grands Montets, at a height of 1250m to 3275m, has nine lifts,
29km of pistes and a snowpark. Brévent-Flégère, altitude 1050m to 2525m, has
15 lifts, 57km of pistes, and a freestyle air bag and boarder/skier-cross
track. Le Tour/Vallorcine at 1265m to 2270m, has 11 lifts, 29km of pistes, as
well as a timed slalom run. Les Houches, at 950m to 1900m, offers 17 lifts,
55km of pistes and a snowpark.
Chamonix offers a wide range of hotel accommodation with everything from sheer luxury right through to budget accommodation to suit everyone. There are also several catered chalets on offer.
Food-wise, the area offers excellent dining options, both in mountain locations and in the ski resorts themselves.
Les Arcs
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Photo: Les Arcs
panorama CC by 2.0 Julien Menichini |
The terrain in Les
Arcs is very varied, with a good mixture of high, open, snow-sure slopes and
lower woodland runs. The resort offers black and one red run, and on the
lower half of the Aiguille Rouge is a speed-skiing run, occasionally open to
the general public.
Les
Arcs offers a great range of accommodation for all tastes and pockets, from
hotels to ski chalets and budget apartments.
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Photo: Les Arcs CC BY-NC 2.0 Paul
Appleton |
Dining and
entertainment-wise, Les Arcs offers a wide range of restaurants and bars to
suit all budgets in both the resorts and on the mountain. According to a
report in the Telegraph the dining options are “uninspiring,”
although the reporter did note that the mountain restaurants are definitely
improving. One reporter did recommend Chalet du Solliet which is housed in a
wooden chalet with a “warm ambience,” and offers both self-service
and table service with lovely views.
With astounding views and great hospitality on offer, France is a definite choice for a great holiday in the snow.
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Latest update: September 29, 2015