Ski holidays are becoming ever popular, and they are now well within the reach of the average pocket. Even families can enjoy this kind of vacation of you select the right resort, whether you have beginners or experts in your skiing party or a mixture of both. Of course, you will also want to check out the après-ski, and all the social activities on offer.
Here is just a taste of the range of ski resorts in the French Alps.
Saint Pierre de Chartreuse
Located in the southeastern region of France, not far from the Italian border, the resort has no gondolas or trams, but it does have seventeen lifts, which take skiers up to its slopes, half of which are intermediate runs, one quarter are for beginners, and the other quarter are advanced (at least a single black diamond run). Also, almost ten percent of the slopes are double black diamond expert runs. Snowboards are allowed on all of the slopes and trails. Sleeping accommodations with 3,500 beds are available at slopeside, and there are eleven more hotels in the nearby area. Up on the mountain is a restaurant, and there are sixteen more nearby; you can dine on French, Savoyard and Italian cuisine. The resort offers both child care (for children from infants to four years) and ski lessons for children from age four and up; plus lessons for adults as well. The area also has a bank, post office and a number of shops to service all of your needs.
Vaujany
A French ski resort not far from the Italian border, the area is quite the quiet hamlet. The resort is primarily for beginners – nearly sixty percent of the runs are for them – a third are intermediate, and only ten percent are advanced (single black diamond). The facility has eight-four ski lifts, but not trams or gondolas. The top of the local mountain is at just over nine thousand feet, the bottom at about 3,600, and their longest run is just under ten miles. A nearby hydroelectric plant provides ample power, and the area has the world’s largest cable car, which connects it to the Grandes Rousses area. There are also five hotels in the area to choose from, and the ski resort can care for children from age six months on; plus various activities and ski lessons are provided for the older children.
Albiez
Ideal for snowboarders and intermediate skiers, it is a picturesque place outside the mainstream of the ski resort industry, and has well-spaced and diverse terrain. It has three green runs, sixteen blue, six red runs, and one black. In total, the area has 128 pistes, and fifteen kilometers of them are cross country runs. The area also has snowmakers to keep the slopes open, twelve ski lifts, and six airports are no more than two hours from the area. By taking the ski lift, you can get up the slopes to a height of 7,220 feet. The resort sits in France, not far from Italy, and the Chambery Airport is most conveniently located to the area – just one hour’s drive. There is also a train station in nearby St. Jean de Maurienne. Three hotels are in the town, and five restaurants.
Brides-les-Bains
An old spa town, it has one of the largest spas in the French Alps, it has a high-speed gondola for access to the slopes. There are two night clubs, a casino, and several bars; and you can also go ice diving, ice climbing, dog sledding, and a number of other activities. There are 336 runs, the vast majority are for beginners and intermediate skiers. There are also kid clubs and ski schools for children, but you have to take the gondola to reach them. There’s also child care for small children ages eighteen months to eight years, and you can get ski lessons for children older than age three. Access to the area can be by plane, the Lyon and Geneva airports are both within two hours of the community.