If your idea of a great time is to be constantly active rather than lie on a beach all day, skiing holidays may be your ideal choice. Skiing is one of the most exhilarating sports there is, allowing you to get away from it all up in the mountains and keep fit whilst savouring the fresh mountain air. You can also try snowboarding, which allows the rider more freedom to experiment with a wide range of styles and tricks as they plummet down the slopes. And at the end of an action-packed day, you can relax with a hot chocolate and admire the beautiful mountains from your chalet, or indulge in some après-ski fun by hitting the bars and clubs that surround many ski resorts.
French Ski Resorts are among the most beautiful in the world, offering a fantastic range of slopes and stunning views. A fashionable resort is Chamonix which offers a challenging number of slopes and off-piste terrains for seasoned skiers. It was also the site for the very first Winter Olympics in 1924. Chamonix is divided up into four areas, interconnected by bus. The valley offers stunning panoramic views including the Mont-Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges mountain ranges. You can also view Mont Blanc by helicopter for a truly unforgettable experience.
Another highly frequented resort is Courcheval, which often attracts many celebrities due to its vibrant night life and wide selection of quality restaurants, ten of which are located on the pistes themselves. With its varied number of ski slopes, it’s perfect for skiers of all abilities. It forms part of the largest linked ski area in the world: the Trois Vallées. And if you enjoy exploring more rural surroundings, Courcheval has 66 kilometres of cross-country runs, allowing you to ski deep in the heart of the forest.
For some great après ski, party animals should head to Alpe d’Huez which has a large number of affordable bars and clubs. The skiing opportunities at Alpe d’Huez are great too – with a number of ski schools and beginners’ slopes, while experts can tackle La Sarenne (one of Europe’s longest black runs) together with the equally challenging Tunnel Run.
And if it’s varied, challenging runs that you’re after, you may want to visit Val d’Isère, which is considered to be the world’s premier ski resort and is especially popular with snow boarders. Its assorted slopes are linked to another great ski resort, Tignes, and the opportunities for off-piste skiing are second-to-none. But beginners can also get to grips with the sport here too, not to mention the semi-challenging blue and red runs of the Bellevarde and La Daille for intermediates.
So for an action-packed holiday, ditch the beach and tackle the mountains instead!
