The highest peak in Western Europe with excellent conditions for skiing, a huge number of resorts for every taste and endless opportunities for off-piste skiing - all this is about winter holidays in the most romantic European country.
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The French slopes invariably attract good skiers and are home to several iconic freeride mountains. Moreover, it is in France that you can easily find wide, simple tracks on which it is convenient to get on skis for the first time. In this country, there are both expensive, prestigious resorts, and quite democratic accommodation options. It is in France that most of the resorts are located with the possibility of ski-in / ski-out, when the slopes start right from hotels and apartments, and you can also return on skis.
The three Valleys and resorts of Courchevel, Méribel and Les Menuires are known far beyond the country's borders, it is the world's largest fully connected ski area (600 km of pistes). About 650 km of pistes (though not completely connected) divide France and Switzerland in the Portes du Soleil region (Morzine, Avoriaz and Le Gets are located on the French side). The Paradiski ski region (Les Arcs and La Plagne resorts) offers 420 km of pistes, slightly less in Espace Killy (Val d'Isere and Tignes). To the south are the Alpes d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes - each of these stations boasts glaciers and an extensive (over 220 km) network of trails. The legendary Chamonix resort, the very first ski resort in France, is located at the foot of the legendary Mont Blanc.
Climbers began to conquer the impregnable peak long before the appearance of lifts and the peak of the popularity of alpine skiing. After the first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix in 1924, the mountaineering town also became a fashionable ski resort. The Chamonix Valley stretches for 16 km, up to the border with Switzerland. Unlike many French resorts, Chamonix does not have a large combined ski area; most of the tracks (there are 163 km of them in Chamonix) are in the Brevent / Flegere, Le Tour and Grands Montets areas. The first ski area, Brevent and neighboring Flégères, is located just above the city and offers plenty of comfortable slopes for beginners and more advanced skiers. The Le Tour area is also a good place for beginners and the advanced, as well as for snowboarders. And for those looking for a thrill, it is better to go to the Grand Monte - this is where the world famous area is located, very popular among freeriders and professionals around the world. In Argentiere, from where the road to Grand Monte begins, a hotel is still operating, where Marina and Anastasia Tsvetaeva stayed in 1903. “To the white giant, towering over the whole chorus of singles and mountain ranges, - to Mont Blanc. Red-hot blue.
A dazzling shine of snow, so many of it that it will not melt from the summer sun! " - this is how Anastasia Tsvetaeva spoke about her visit to the Grand-Monte in her "Memoirs". Perhaps, only the White Valley, the legendary 20-kilometer glacial zone, can boast of a greater attraction for skiers. For the enchanting experience of traveling in Vallée Blanche, it is worth visiting Chamonix at least once. This city is hugged by mountains from all sides - it is difficult to find a place from which one of the peaks would not be visible. The most majestic panorama opens from a height of 3842 m, from the Aiguille du Midi, which can be reached in 20 minutes by cable car.
Not only the open mountains, valleys, glaciers are striking, but also how people could build such a monumental structure at such a great height. Endless valleys The fact that skiing in Three Valleys is one of the best in the world is obvious: 600 km of trails and vast expanses of virgin lands, 180 lifts, a whole army of snow groomers and ubiquitous ski-in / ski-out opportunities. However, the Three Valleys resorts have a reputation for being overly expensive. Indeed, a trip to a five-star hotel in Courchevel for a week will cost a lot. But in addition to this resort (where, however, you can also find very democratic housing) in the Three Valleys, there are many other opportunities. Including for a trip on a budget.
Many do not perceive the Three Valleys as a system of resorts where you can confidently go at the beginning or end of the season. Although, if you take a closer look, it turns out: for example, the season in Val Thorens opens in November and closes on May 9. And if you go to Val Thorens in early December or mid-January, in other words, in low season, you can take advantage of all kinds of discounts on accommodation, ski passes and other services. And the resort itself is located at an altitude of 2300 m, the highest in Europe. Despite the fact that Val Thorens was built especially for skiers, there is something to do here for those who are fed up with skiing or do not care at all. The resort has a huge sports center; many hotels and apartment complexes have modern SPA centers. Val Thorens has had a reputation for being an excellent gourmet destination for many years. This is primarily due to the elegant restaurant L'Oxalys, located in the hotel with the same name. Delicate and unusual dishes are created by Jean Sulpice, the youngest Michelin-starred chef in the Savoy (Jean recently received a second Michelin star). For acquaintance, it is recommended to take a tasting menu, then you will not have to rack your brains over the choice of suitable wines: this has already been done for you.
In dishes Sulpice in a whimsical way combines the traditions of Savoyard cuisine, original spices, and the dishes themselves are remembered not only for their delicious taste, but also for unusual accents. Despite his Michelin-starred status, Jean Sulpis likes to go out to his guests, talk to them and recommend the best wines with his sommelier wife. And for those who want to learn how to cook his dishes, Jean conducts a cooking course once a week. At no extra cost, Le Menuires was founded in the 1960s, when the concept of "cheap high-rise buildings is the best option for a ski resort" prevailed in French resorts. Today Menuires is a mixture of traditional chalets and not-so-pretty concrete buildings.
But in Menuires, unlike its neighbors, you can find quite inexpensive accommodation options, and the price level here is much lower than that of its neighbors. In addition, this resort is constantly evolving and offers many interesting things for families with children. Les Menuires is in onevalley with Val Thorens. Those who cannot imagine a winter vacation without old chalets should settle in the village of Saint-Martan de Belleville located just below the slope, connected to Les Menuires by a lift. The hotels built in recent years were designed for skiing "to the door", the routes were laid with the expectation of the maximum variety of relief and the highest level of safety, and most of them have a southern exposure. There are about 160 km of own trails around Les Menuires, and if you take into account the system of lifts connecting all the resorts of the Three Valleys, if you wish, you can ride all 600 km of this region. Not surprisingly, with such an open space, the resort's designers have spared no space for newcomers. The special La Croisette sector is entirely left to the mercy of kids and beginners - this is a full-fledged ski area of \u200b\u200b5000 sq. m. All lifts in this area are free, the slopes are simple, wide and flat. The largest of the local ski schools, ESF, also operates in La Croisette; there is the Schtrumpfs children's park, which accepts toddlers from the age of three months. It is no coincidence that the resort is marked with the Famille Plus brand - this “quality mark” is used to mark the best resorts for families with children.
Alps squared
Les Deux Alpes lies at the foot of one of the largest glaciers in Europe. As in the neighboring Alpe d'Huez, it is better to get here not from Geneva, but from Grenoble - it is 109 km from the airport (part of the way passes along a serpentine road). The resort itself stretches along the bottom of the valley - a walk from one end to the other will take about half an hour. Les Des Alpes cannot boast of traditional Alpine architecture with many cozy log chalets, modern buildings or a mixture of styles are more common here. The busiest part of the resort is the main street, which is full of bars and pubs, shops and restaurants. In Les Deux Alpes, you can ride from a fairly high altitude - the upper tow-bar lifts tourists almost 3.5 km. Good snow cover, as a rule, lasts all season not only on the glacier, but also below, in the resort itself. The season is very long here - from early December to late April.
On the glacier, there are simple and wide trails, convenient for beginners - blue and red. From the upper part of the glacier you can get to La Grave - the Mecca of extreme skiing specialists. For the sake of visiting La Grave, lovers of freeriding go to Les Deux Alpes and the surrounding area, because this is a unique place, specially preserved in its original form for thrill-seekers and true extreme sports. The ski area Les Deux Alpes (225 km of pistes) is interesting for almost everyone: there are enough slopes above the resort for beginners and intermediate skiers, and experts will find interesting routes for freeriding. The resort is home to the first European new school and snowboard center.
The slopes are equipped with a modern snow park and a Slide freestyle area, where you can practice jumps, ski acrobatics and all kinds of tricks. Les Des Alpes has hosted major snowboarding and freestyle competitions for many years in a row, and the resort's slopes have dedicated sectors for beginner snowboarders and freestylers. Having mastered the routes of the resort, you can go to the neighbors - a ski pass for 6 days or more gives you the opportunity to ride in Alpe d'Huez for 2 days, one day at the resorts of Serre Chevalier, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Montgenevre and in the Italian Via Lattea (resort Sestriere ).
A beginner's paradise
The Paradiski ski area, which unites the resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs, is 420 km of slopes. La Plagne is a generalized concept, there is no village with that name. This is the name of a fairly large region that unites many different villages scattered along the slopes. Plagne-Center, Plagne-Bellecot, Plagne-le-Soleil, Belle-Plagne and other Planes, and the villages of Montalbert and Champagne-en-Vanuz standing alone (farthest from the center). La Plagne, as well as the neighboring (connected with it by the slopes) region of Les Arcs, is the result of the ski au pieds concept, fashionable in France in the 70s. Almost all the residences built at that time (as apartment complexes are called in France) are located on a slope, so you can get up on your skis right at the door and literally return to your balcony. Instead of the usual chalets with gable roofs, it was customary at that time to build high-rise buildings with inexpensive apartments. Someone still considers this an "architectural crime", but those who appreciate good skating "from the door" are ready to turn a blind eye to the not very picturesque appearance of some buildings. In addition, in recent years, beautiful hotels and cozy chalets built of wood and stone have appeared in almost every Paradiski village. Not to mention the new resort of the region - Les Arcs 1950.
This cozy village is like a picture from an American western. Only 4-star hotels and residences, no nondescript structures and simple apartments. Les Arcs 1950 was originally built as a luxury resort, right on the slope. It is small in size, but it is invariably very popular with wealthy tourists and families with children. In Les Arcs, teenagers will not be bored either: ski and snowboard schools in the region have special programs for those who love freestyle or want to improve their skills.
National teams from different countries come to train in the huge modern Apocalypse snow park. However, there is also a place for beginners: the park has obstacles that are accessible even to children. Just be prepared for the fact that you will not be able to take them away from the park later - this is not an easy task. The village of Monshavan Le Coche is also conveniently located - it is located just below the Vanoise Express cable car station, which allows you to ride in Les Arcs and La Plagne without unnecessary waste of time. Actually, Monshavan is often chosen by families with different levels of training and / or children with a large age difference. While beginners train on the flat slopes near the village, snowboarders and freeriders can quickly reach the snow park and the most interesting slopes. Everyone gets pleasure.
Tours to France are very popular with travelers from all over the world. The pastime options are varied and interesting. This is an excursion, beach, family, ski vacation in France... Each of such cities as Paris, Nice, Cannes is individual and unique in its own way.
Accommodation in France
The variety of hotels allows travelers who prefer tours to France to choose the best options according to their financial capabilities. For example, france hotels 3 stars are mostly located in the city center. All the amenities are provided in the rooms. Modern france hotels 4 stars also have a great location. These are hotels with bars, beauty salons, restaurants, gyms. All inclusive hotels in France have the highest category. It offers high quality service. The rooms are equipped with all necessary equipment and have luxurious interiors. Pools, Turkish baths and saunas, fitness centers can be located here.
Apartments are also popular. Ordering tours to France 2020, you can stay in chic rooms. It is also possible to rent a chalet, a private house with all the amenities. Choosing tours to France from Moscow, travelers can choose a hotel that offers transfers from the airport to the city. Some of them have casinos and offer cooking classes.
Holidays in France
A huge number of interesting sights, beautiful natural and historical monuments are located on the territory of the country. For fans of sightseeing rest last Minute Hotels in France fit perfectly. Here you can visit palaces, museums, churches and cathedrals, parks and squares. Beautiful vacation in France in summer can be held in local stores. There are boutiques of famous fashion houses in almost every city. Paris considered the capital of shopping. Different prices for tours to France allow you to choose the best option that matches your individual preferences and financial capabilities.
The country can be visited with the whole family. Quality holidays in France with children will give a lot of impressions. You can visit various amusement parks. The most popular are: " Disneyland"," Futuroscope "," Asterix ". Quite reasonable prices for holidays in France allow you to go on an unforgettable trip with the whole family. You can also take part in local festivals, have fun at concerts, vibrant shows and performances.
France has long been famous for its ski resorts. Here, any vacationer can count on high quality service. By choosing ski tours to France, there is an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent scenery. The tracks are designed for both beginners and professionals. By deciding to ski in France, travelers can count on the snow to be solid throughout the season. All slopes are equipped with lifts that eliminate long queues.
France offers many ski resorts located in different parts of the country - in the southeast, in the Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. The rest are located in the Pyrenees region, near the border with Andorra.
220 ski resorts await ski enthusiasts in France, there is a really huge selection of all winter skiing types. Freeride is practiced in deep snow in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, the Alpine Ski World Cup takes place in Val d'Isere or on the 300 km of the Three Valleys pistes, cross-country skiers can ski on the slopes of Villars de Lens.
Many ski resorts have a long history. The oldest resort is Chamonix, where the first Olympic Games in France were held in 1924. This has become a fundamental point for the development of other resorts that offer much more than just a winter getaway.
The most famous ski resorts in France
Northern alps
The best ski resorts in the world are located in the Northern Alps. There are first-class ski stations, both large and small. All places are connected by trails and footpaths.
Tignes - for experienced skiers
The height of the slopes is from 1500 to 3500 meters (150 km). 155 tracks, of which:
- black - 26;
- red - 40;
- blue - 67;
- childrens or greens - 22.
The total number of lifts is 45. The approximate maximum amount per day is 43 €. The tourist resort will appeal to lovers of freeriding, scuba diving under the ice, snowmobiling, paragliding. Also in your free time you can do heli-skiing, ice climbing, speed riding. Ski holidays in Tignes offer tourists numerous opportunities for recreation in France: cinemas, hotels, restaurants, playgrounds, clubs, shops, indoor pools.
Val D "ysere is the best
The length of the tracks is from 1550 to 3450 meters. Number of tracks - 154, of which:
- green - 20;
- blue - 67;
- red - 41;
- black - 26.
Lifts - 79. Estimated maximum amount per day - 49 €. With a long history, extraordinary slopes and exceptional services, Val d-Isère is one of the best ski resorts in France.
Courchevel - a luxury holiday
The length of the tracks is from 1850 to 2740 meters. Number of tracks - 98, of which:
- green - 19;
- blue 37;
- red - 31;
- black - 8.
Lifts - 87. Estimated maximum amount per day - 70 €. Courchevel is a place where people who value quality rest in an elite environment meet.
Southern alps
The meeting of the Alps and the Mediterranean climate gives these places a special character with a southern accent. Here, all modern ski resorts are located close to the charming little old villages of France.
Oron - a democratic holiday
The length of the tracks is from 1600 to 2450 meters (135 km). Number of tracks - 42, of which:
- black - 8;
- red - 16;
- blue - 16;
- green - 2.
The total number of ski lifts is 11. Oron is located near Nice and its international airport. It is located in the heart of four French ski resorts that offer a variety of excellent quality ski slopes.
Pyrenees
A natural border between France, Spain, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the Pyrenees are an array of contrasts. The villages are home to the most modern, but affordable for most tourists, ski resorts.
Ax-les-Termes - for lovers of flat skiing
The length of the tracks is from 1400 to 2400 meters (80 km). Number of tracks - 35, of which:
- black - 6;
- red - 10;
- blue - 10;
- green - 9.
The total number of lifts is 17. The resort of France offers a snow park and gentle slopes of Bonascre and Baggins.
Central massif
Massif Central has everything you need for winter sporting events - cross-country skiing, dog sledding, paragliding, not to mention the gastronomic diversity and natural and architectural heritage of France.
Mont-dor - universal
The length of the tracks is from 1200 to 1840 meters (41 km). Number of tracks - 31, of which:
- black - 1;
- red - 6;
- blue - 8;
- green - 16.
The total number of lifts is 15. Estimated price max - 30 €. The resort is suitable for beginners and experienced skiers, they will teach you how to choose ski equipment, offer sledding, skiing, ice climbing, mountain tourism.
Vosges
The Vosges resort in France juts out over vast forests and lakes, miles of trails and snow, and offers excellent skiing trails. There are especially many family stations here.
Saint Maurice - for cross-country fans
The length of the tracks is from 1100 to 1250 meters (23 km). Number of tracks - 11, of which:
- black - 1;
- red - 2;
- blue - 3;
- green - 5.
The total number of lifts is 5. Estimated price max - 19.5 €. An ideal place for a healthy stay.
Val Thorens is located at an altitude of 2300 meters and is considered the highest ski resort in Europe. There is always a lot of snow here, and skiing safety is ensured by a special Gaz-ex avalanche system. Val Thorens' black and red trails are located in the Cim de Caron, Lac du Loup and La Mas districts, and in Pointe de Torrance, freeride lovers will find excellent virgin fields. Snowboarders will delight in the fan park in the Plateau sector with unusual modules and special tracks for competitions. The resort also has slopes for those who are just starting to ski.
In addition, Val Thorens has a 6 km toboggan run, a snow and ice car run, a large sports complex, France's best Underground disco and many wonderful après-ski spots.
Photogallery of the Val Thorens resort
Les Menuires is a family resort and beginner's paradise, with most of the tracks here for those starting out or looking to improve their skills. From hotels and apartments to the slopes do not take a long time to get, they start right behind the threshold.
Le Menuires also has tracks for professionals, they are located on the slopes of Mont de la Chaumbre, and for snowboarders in the same area there is an excellent fan park. Les Menuires offers beginner skiers a special ski area with an area of \u200b\u200babout 5000 sq. m and a conveyor hoist. The village has a sports center with an aqua club, a kids club, restaurants and bars.
Photogallery of Le Menuires resort
Meribel is a great family ski resort. It is located in the center of the Three Valleys region and consists of three villages. This place is perfect for those who are just mastering winter mountain sports or want to put children on their skis. Wide pistes in the Altiport and Rond-Poin areas and the free beginner's drag lift will help any visitor to enjoy skiing. However, there are also steep tracks in Meribel for professional athletes, for example, the Olympic women's track La Fas or the descent to Combe du Valon. Meribel will also delight snowboarders - there are two special zones, Platier Snowpark and Arpasson Moonpark. In the first, a 650-meter track with obstacles, a half-pipe and a baby-pipe is open for snowboarders, and in the second, a kilometer track with obstacles and two half-pipes.
Meribel has a sports complex, bowling alley, cinemas and nightclubs. The resort's restaurants are usually open after 17:00. Fans of parties and noisy parties can be advised the village of Mottaret, where there are many discos, bars and nightclubs.
Photogallery of the resort of Meribel
Brides-les-Bains is a superbly located ski resort with ideal access to the Three Valleys. The Olympus direct cable car takes skiers and snowboarders to Méribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel. The town was built for the 1992 Olympic Games and offers budget accommodation at 600 meters above sea level.
The total area of \u200b\u200bthe resort's tracks is 77 km, there are 58 ski lifts with a capacity of 64 thousand people per hour. There are two fan parks for snowboarders and 33 km of cross-country ski tracks.
In Brides-les-Bains, you can not only go for a great ride, but also improve your health; there is a large wellness center with thermal springs.
Val d'Isere is one of the most sporting resorts in the French Alps. Every year in November, the first starts of the World Cup are held here, in 1992 the resort hosted the Winter Olympics, in 2009 - the World Ski Championships. The sports trails in the Bellevard area are open to the public in the afternoon. At the same time, Val d'Isere has special ski areas for beginners, as well as excellent ski schools, where they will teach everything necessary for both children and adults. The resort's guests have at their disposal a well-thought-out lift system that connects the Val d'Isere with all ski areas, and 150 km of perfectly prepared slopes, including 12 green, 24 blue, 28 red and 15 black slopes. Ysera is renowned for its diversity, with a vertical drop of 1300 m
Three ski areas: Bellevard, Soleis and Col de Liseran offer a variety of tracks for sports fans. There are freeride areas, sport slopes, challenging black trails and gorgeous panoramic slopes that will impress you. Snowpark Val d'Isere is located in the Belleward area. The resort is renowned for its beautiful architecture, an excellent selection of comfortable hotels and apartments and excellent restaurants. An outdoor skating rink, aquatic center, a nightclub, many restaurants and cafes will allow you to have a great time after skiing. Tourists can be sure that in Val d'Isere they will have a truly varied leisure time.
Photogallery of the Val d'Isere resort
Megève is an excellent alpine resort, where both skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of opportunities for interesting skiing. The city itself looks great with buildings in the Savoyard style. It has great hotels, great entertainment centers, restaurants and shops.
The resort offers its guests 222 slopes and is located in the center of the large ski area of \u200b\u200bEvazion-Mont Blanc, where there are about 445 km of marked slopes of various difficulty levels and 113 lifts. The ski season here lasts from December to April. The most interesting, beautiful and at the same time difficult slopes can be found in the areas of Mont Joly and Mont Jou. There is another section with "red" and "black" tracks in Kot-2000. Those who are not so confident in their abilities should pay attention to the descents to Mont-d'Arbois or Complux. Beginners will also find where to ride in Megeve, light "green" and "blue" tracks can be found not only down the town, but in all three ski areas.
Snowboarders will appreciate the slopes at Combloux-les-Jaillet, as well as the Pist-de-Fentin border trail in Cote 2000 - Rochebrune. In addition to the Palais des Sports with a swimming pool, saunas, a gymnasium and a fitness center, Megeve has cinemas, a bowling center, an indoor Olympic skating rink and even an air club. Lovers of evening entertainment will find casinos, jazz and bridge clubs, discos and many boutiques. Magnificent views of Mont Blanc open from Mont Joly, and in Saint-Gervais you can swim in thermal springs.
Photogallery of Megeve resort
Courchevel is perhaps the most prestigious French resort, very popular with Russian tourists. A variety of slopes, an excellent selection of trails, wonderful virgin slopes - all this allows both beginners and experienced alpine skiing fans to get a lot of pleasure from their rest. The shopping and social life of Courchevel is amazing.
For beginners, the wide green and blue slopes in the Bellecote and Pralon ski areas are great. Those who are confident in skiing and snowboarding should look at the beautiful forest slope of Bouc Blanc and the “red” slopes in Marmot and Creux. Professionals will appreciate the "black" slopes of the Col de la Loz, Les Aval, Col du Paz du Lac, as well as the slopes from Solir stations. There are 65 ski lifts to the alpine peaks. Courchevel has a snow park, half pipe, many snow cannons, and a 2 km toboggan run. An indoor sports complex, bowling alley, fitness center, ice rink, concert hall and cinema, numerous discos, galleries and restaurants will not let you get bored after skiing.
There are more than 100 stores in the resort, where all famous world brands are represented. Courchevel's restaurants and boutiques are designed for high-income tourists. The nearest train station, Moutiers Saline, is a half hour drive from the resort.
Courchevel Village is a cozy family ski resort located at an altitude of 1550 m. Until 2013, it was better known as Courchevel 1550. It is a small alpine Savoyard-style town with a budget hotel, excellent apartments and modern luxury chalets.
Two lifts connect Courchevel Village with the main ski areas of the region. There is a ski school, tourist information office, rental office, restaurants, bars, a discotheque and an ice rink. The resort will appeal to families and secluded travelers alike, however, from here you can easily reach the noisier parts of Courchevel with eminent restaurants, shops and nightclubs.
Courchevel resort photo gallery
The popular Tignes ski resort is located at 2,100 m in the Espace Killy ski area. Spacious wide pistes, excellent freeride opportunities and long seasons make it an excellent choice for skiers and snowboarders. Three ski areas Tignes - Tignes-le-Lac, Val-Claret and Lavache are connected by a system of lifts and are located next to a picturesque lake. On the Grand Mott glacier, the ski season opens in early October, in other areas - at the end of November and lasts until the first third of May.
Sports enthusiasts will find 76 slopes in Tignes, most of which are blue and red, a snow park with a halfpipe, a mogul slope and an excellent ski school. Here you can also go skiing, ice skating, snowkiting, ice climbing or paragliding or helicopter flight.
Cozy cafes and restaurants, noisy discos and bars will not let you get bored after skiing. The resort's infrastructure is famous for its compact and convenient location, and the prices for accommodation here are quite budget.
Les Arcs is a group of resorts located in the heart of the French Alps, in the Haute Tarentaise valley. The resort towns are located here at altitudes from 1600 to 2000 meters above sea level and are united by ski slopes and lifts. The skiing season is from mid-December to the end of April. For mountain winter sports enthusiasts, there are 121 ski and snowboard tracks, a wide variety of lifts, two snow parks with halfpipes in Les Arcs. There are also opportunities for practicing unusual sports, for example, speedwriting and skijoring.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a popular ski resort in the Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. The first tourists appeared in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the beginning of the 19th century, and since then the resort has only gained popularity. In 1924, it was here that the I Winter Olympic Games were held. Today Chamonix-Mont-Blanc receives up to 5 million tourists and athletes a year.
There are several ski regions in the Chamonix valley: Grand Monte, Le Tours, Brevin, Les Houches, Flégères, as well as the famous off-piste descent from the top of the Aiguille du Midi 20 kilometers long - the White Valley. It is because of the White Valley that the resort is considered the capital of extreme skiing in France.
There is no single ski area in Chamonix-Mont Blanc, however, ski buses will take tourists to the ski lifts in 7-15 minutes. Good hotels and great bars, interesting museums and the mountain railway to Mont Blanc (at an altitude of 2372 m) will make your stay in Chamonix interesting and enjoyable, even if you are not going to ride all day long.
- these names are known not only to avid skiers or snowboarders, but also to people far from sports. In this article, we will tell you about the best resorts in France, where in winter it is pleasant not only to relax, but to ride with the breeze.
Chamonix, overlooking Mont Blanc
The town of Chamonix is \u200b\u200blocated in a beautiful location overlooking the highest peak in Western Europe - Mont Blanc. Height above sea level - 1035 meters. Chamonix is \u200b\u200ba Mecca for mountaineers in summer and skiers in winter.
In addition, the Mer de Glace Nature Reserve (Ice Sea) is nearby, one of the most visited in the world.
Near Chamonix, you will find a bunch of not only skiing activities. You can go to the town of Annecy, climb Mont Blanc by train, arrange walks in the caves and a lot more.
Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallées) - the largest ski resort
The Three Valleys (or le Trois Valais) is a huge resort that combines several bases at once in the Vanoise mountain range. This includes:
- Courchevel (Courchevel - hotels on this link),
- Méribel (hotels),
- Le Menuires (Les Ménuires - hotels),
- Val Thorens -
- La Tania (hotels),
- Brides (hotels)
- and Orelle (Orelle - Hotel Deals).
Avoriaz - tranquility
Located at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level, Avoriaz is a modern resort in the heart of Portes du Soleil. Between the forest and the mountains, the village, completely closed to cars, fits perfectly into the alpine nature. After skiing on the Portes du Soleil ski slopes (total length 650 km), you can visit the Aquariaz, a hot spring center with a temperature of 29 ° C.
Although you won't see a single car in Avoriaz, there are other modes of transport. The proximity of the resort to nature is its main advantage.
The official website of the resort Avoriaz: www.avoriaz.com
Les 2 Alpes - the largest snow park
In the Oisans Mountains, on the border between the Southern and Northern Alps, lies the dynamic resort of Les 2 Alpes. It is the largest ski chain in Europe. The resort is located at 3600 m above sea level. So there is snow here almost all year round, so skiers can be found here both in winter and in summer.
The station also continues to develop its snow park: a large playground, snow tube, wall, beginner's slide area and large pillows (huge mattress 15 m) are installed at the bottom of the slopes.
Chamrousse - a real Olympic village
On the southern edge of the Belledonne mountain range is the Chamrousse resort, built in a forest. It offers an exceptional view of the Grenoble Valley. The station was used during the 1968 Winter Olympics. Many future Olympic champions have competed or trained here.
Sharmus Resort Official Website: www.chamrousse.com
Saint-Dalmas le Selvage - cross-country skiing
Saint-Dalma-les-Selvage is the highest village in the Alpes-Maritimes (1347 m - 2916 m). The place is an ideal resort for cross-country skiers. In the heart of nature with untouched landscapes such as the Braïssa Isthmus (2599 m), Mount Aunos (2514 m), the Karl Cross (2529 m), the Moutière Isthmus (2454 m), the Gialorgues ice waterfall, you must find your happiness.
An excellent place for snowboarding.
Official website of the resort of Saint-Dalmas-les-Selvage: hiver.saintdalmasleselvage.com
Le Sauze - family resort
A ski resort located in the Ubaye Valley. Soz has become famous as a family resort. In addition to the joy of skiing, don't miss a tour of Igloo Inuksuk Village, a real village with six igloos and Inuit traditions!
The official site of the resort Le Sauze: www.sauze.com
Megève - the most exclusive resort
Megève has retained its authentic mountain village charm. Surrounded by three gently sloping mountain ranges and green forests, stands a fourteenth-century medieval village with luxurious shops, cobbled streets, a unique atmosphere and, of course, wonderful trails.
It is a fashionable resort where chalets, hotels and restaurants compete tirelessly for their prestige.
The official website of the resort of Megeve: www.megeve.com
Serre-Chevalier - the sunniest resort
It is one of the largest ski resorts in the Alps with 250 km of ski slopes. Located at an altitude of 1200 to 2800 m above sea level. At the foot of the highest peaks is the sun-drenched Ecrins National Park.
Serre-Chevalier is one of the sunniest places in the Alps, with the sun shining 300 days a year!
Serre-Chevalier official website: www.serre-chevalier.com
Enjoy your holiday in the French Alps!
