| Skiing holidays to France are very popular | | | | Yet even though many think of skiing as a |
| especially to resorts in the French Alps with | | | | winter sport, there are a few places in |
| popular places like Courchevel and Meribel, | | | | France where you can still get to ski on the |
| but France has absolutely hundreds of | | | | glaciers in the summer months, such as Tignes |
| kilometres of ski slopes, which are situated | | | | or Val d'Isere. And there are very few great |
| in some of the most spectacular mountainous | | | | skiing areas in the world that can excite the |
| regions in the world. | | | | imagination more than the Val d'Isère and |
| | | | L'Espace Killy is considered to be one of the |
| So when you go on your family skiing holidays | | | | best ski areas in the world, plus an amazing |
| or snowboarding, you need to find the right | | | | variety of different skiing can be achieved |
| place with the right ski slopes or the | | | | through ski lifts and ski buses that link the |
| nursery slopes for the beginners, so you can | | | | area of Val d'Isère to the neighbouring |
| be sure of getting the ideal holiday, and | | | | Tignes, |
| whether this is through a travel agency for a | | | | |
| luxury package ski holiday, or you are | | | | But if you have never been skiing then it is |
| organising everything yourself by choosing | | | | advisable to book you holiday through a tour |
| your own chalet or staying in a hotel and | | | | operator, as they will know exactly what |
| being pampered whilst off the ski slopes, the | | | | resorts are going to be suitable, and it is |
| choice is endless but you will not be | | | | also an idea to have some lessons on dry |
| disappointed. | | | | slopes prior to going, so that you can make |
| | | | the best of your holiday, rather that |
| Also, France has some of the biggest ski | | | | spending the first few days just learning to |
| resorts such as Les Trois Vallees, which is | | | | stop falling over on the snow! |
| made up of three valleys and includes resorts | | | | |
| like Courchevel and Meribel, with this area | | | | Of course, booking your skiing holiday |
| having around 600km of pistes for skiers of | | | | independently can save you quite a lot of |
| all abilities and experience so there is | | | | money, but there can be downsides as well, |
| enough choice for everyone. | | | | especially if you have never been to the |
| | | | resort before, for instance, you may not |
| Meribel can offer skiing to people with all | | | | realise how far it is to get from your |
| abilities, as there are some fantastic | | | | accommodation to the slopes, or even how far |
| beginners slopes but The Three Valleys area | | | | it would be to get to the ski hire places. |
| offers a good challenge for more experienced | | | | |
| skiers, and has an incredible choice of ski | | | | And lets face it, you do not want to be |
| schools, which cater from groups to | | | | spending a whole day just getting set up |
| individual tuition. | | | | rather than on the slopes doing what you went |
| | | | there to do, please do bear in mind that even |
| And although it is generally a purpose built | | | | if you do not have your own skis or skiing |
| resort, you will find it like a fairytale | | | | boots, you will still need to purchase other |
| atmosphere with the ski chalets that blend | | | | items of equipment before you go such as |
| into the scenery, however, it does have quite | | | | proper skiing gloves and sallopettes to keep |
| a lively nightlife and can get very busy in | | | | you warm and the snow out. |
| the peak season as it is such a popular | | | | |
| destination. | | | | There is a wide range of ski accommodation in |
| | | | France and you can choose from purpose built |
| Courchevel is an outstanding place to ski or | | | | private ski chalets, chalet apartments or |
| snowboard, but can be a little on the | | | | hotels. French skiing accommodation meets |
| expensive side, although the extensive slopes | | | | the needs of all skiers, with self-catering |
| of the resort will offer extensive and varied | | | | cabins to fully serviced luxury apartments |
| skiing. It is made up of four villages known | | | | and hotels, ideal for the skier on every |
| by their altitudes and they vary immensely | | | | budget. |
| from their access through to facilities, but | | | | |
| some places you can get to ski right out of | | | | But the choice of accommodation can be quite |
| the door of the hotel! | | | | mind-boggling and you have to consider all |
| | | | the people in your party, especially if you |
| Font Romeu is one of the oldest ski resorts | | | | have young children where childcare |
| in Europe and also has the biggest snow | | | | facilities or entertainment may be an |
| making operation in the Pyrenees and with | | | | important issue, or if you are a more |
| well over 2500 hours of sunshine each year, | | | | experienced skier, you may wish to look at |
| this makes it another very popular resort for | | | | chalets nearer to the more difficult runs |
| weekend breaks and longer holidays alike. | | | | rather than the nursery slopes or perhaps opt |
| | | | for a little more luxury in a hotel with |
| Chamonix is a town in a valley and there are | | | | gourmet meals by evening in peace and |
| five very good resorts, but these are not | | | | tranquillity. |
| near to the slopes and you would need | | | | |
| transport to get to them, but this place has | | | | Speaking to people that have already been to |
| everything from great shops to a wonderful | | | | a resort, or even going on to forums can help |
| atmosphere, yet because of how well known it | | | | a great deal, especially if you wish to know |
| is, the whole area can seen very crowded | | | | what places are the best for good value |
| compared to some other skiing towns, | | | | restaurants when you are on a self-catering |
| especially around the ski lifts. | | | | holiday, or maybe even avoiding a resort with |
| | | | a lively night life if you have little ones |
| Alpe d'Huez is one of Europe's largest and | | | | that need their sleep! |
| highest ski resorts and is currently one of | | | | |
| only around twenty in the world that offers a | | | | Of course, you will also need to look into |
| lift-served vertical of over 2000 metres, | | | | what other activities that are available in |
| plus it has the largest slope in the world | | | | your chosen resort, as there are always |
| where you can ski for well over an hour | | | | things for all of the family to enjoy, such |
| without taking any ski lift, although these | | | | as shows, archery, concerts, squash, tennis, |
| are definitely not for the beginner or | | | | ice skating, golf, swimming, dancing, saunas |
| intermediate skier. | | | | and spas, plus much, much more. |
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