Alpe d'Huez is a good resort for all levels of skier. More experienced skiers will like the 2230m vertical drop and 16km black run. The scenery is beautiful with good snow and above average sunshine. The good off-piste is just right for boarders, who also have their own park with a half-pipe.

Alpe d'Huez has retained its Frenchness and exclusivity, although not one of the most attractive places. Restaurants are good on and off the mountain, but there is little nightlife. There's a good ski school for kids where they try to keep to small groups and a satellite village, Vaujany, which has good services including an excellent crèche and a fast cable-car link into the main ski area.

Part of the vast Portes du Soleil domain, Avoriaz is arguably one of the most enjoyable resorts in the region. Sitting at 1800m it can guarantee good snow, unlike most of the other resorts. It claims to be a boarding Mecca, as the first European resort to embrace the sport. There is a specialist park, a half-pipe, a slalom course and extensive off-piste. Avoriaz also attracts better skiers, as do some great black pistes.

Unlike many modern ski resorts Chamonix is not a purpose built ski resort and is blessed with not only an internationally renowned ski area but also an elegant, cosmopolitan and bustling town centre. This makes Chamonix much more than just another ski resort keeping much of its original mountain charm as it sits majestically at the foot of the Mont Blanc in the French Alps.

It's widely regarded as the climbing, and more recently skiing, capital of the world. It's where the first Winter Olympics took place in 1924 and, as an area of outstanding natural beauty, it offers much to the adventurous skier and sightseer alike.

Chátel's development into a major ski resort has been done in the traditional alpine style, still retaining much of its original charm.

The whole village is served by a free ski-bus, so wherever you are, you're never more than a few minutes away from the ski-lift of your choice.

The resort offers access to the vast Portes du Soleil – the largest international linked ski area in the world with over 650 km of varied terrain spread across 8 French and 4 Swiss resorts. This gives skiers and boarders an almost endless choice of runs. It's a great resort for skiers and snowboarders alike and is particularly good for beginners.

Chátel has a good selection of bars and restaurants and a great aprés ski atmosphere in its lively village centre. The resort is also in easy reach of Geneva.

Courchevel is the glamorous face of the Three Valleys, where you may well be skiing with the stars! It's also where wealthy Pasisians choose to ski which emphasises the French feel of the resort.

Courchevel offers some wonderful tree-lined runs and a good range of terrain for all levels, a state-of-the-art lift system and access to the entire Three Valleys network. 60% of pistes are groomed every day and the primarily north-facing aspect of the resort means excellent snow conditions.

There are five main resort bases, including the slightly separate La Tania, of which Courchevel 1850 is by far the most superior in terms of both altitude and quality. It's also the most expensive and the lower, more family-friendly resorts of 1650, 1550 and the old mountain village of Le Praz are much more affordable. The skiing is the most varied in the Three Valleys so skiers tend to stay in their own valley.

Flaine is known as the 'White Desert' for its excellent snow but visitors undoubtedly come for its skiing, rather than its Alpine charm, as architecturally it is quite ugly. As the centrepiece of the Grand Massif ski area, Flaine is linked to Samoëns, Morillon and Les Carroz, with 265km off-piste in total. The skiing is extensive and varied, with trees, moguls and motorways.

There's something to suit all levels of skier, with great off-piste being one of Flaine's major strengths. Boarders also have a park, with one half-pipe and a boardercross course. There has been massive investment in the lift system, which has significantly reduced the queues for lifts.

Almost everybody can ski to their apartments, so if you prefer comfort over charm this could be the right choice for you. For a more traditional ambience, there's Samoëns. Flaine's aprés-ski venues aren't great; much of the evening's activities revolve around the few hotel bars and the White Grouse pub. Families, though, will like the excellent ski school kindergartens and the car-free environment.

The picturesque village of La Clusaz is one of the Haute Savoie's best-kept secrets. It's lively and friendly and has retained its deeply rooted French charm. Though a reasonably compact ski area, there's a marvellous variety of skiing and boarding to suit everyone.

La Clusaz lies beneath the jagged peaks of the Aravis mountain range, 132km of groomed trails stretching out over five inter-connected ski areas, each with its own unique character. There's woodland trails, open bowls and much of the off-piste can be reached from the lift stations, involving very little climbing.

La Grave is 77km (48 miles) from Grenoble and is half way between Les Deux Alpes and Briancon. It's a place of awe-inspiring but menacing and savage beauty, dominated by the jutting multiple-peaks of La Meije which reach 3983m (13,067 feet). The exhilarating but gruelling descent of 2150 metres (7054 feet) to the village needs to be treated with the utmost respect. Both the scale and the potential dangers are considerable, with gaping crevasses and steep couloirs.

The area is so wild, one would maybe not call it a resort. It is in the southern French Alps (Département des Hautes Alpes) has one-off: no groomed runs, no snow cannon, no ski patrol or avalanche control, minimal lifts – and more than 7,000 vertical feet of mainly 'ski sauvage'. But it is beautiful.

La Plagne and Les Arcs, form one of the biggest ski and snowboarding areas in the world "Paradiski". The Vanoise Express links the La Plagne ski area (near Montchavin-les Coches) to Plan Peisey in Les Arcs.

It's a great destination for family ski holidays or people with mixed abilities and consists of 6 high altitude resorts, at the bottom of the pistes, linked by free transport between 8 a.m. and midnight, enabling you to enjoy your holiday without a car:

- Aime La Plagne – alt 2100m
- Belle Plagne – alt2050m
- Plagne Villages/Soleil – alt2050m
- Plagne Bellecóte – alt1930m
- Plagne Centre-alt1970m
- Plagne 1800 – alt1800m

There are also 4 village resorts with access to the entire ski area:

- Champagny en Vanoise – alt1250m
- Plagne Montalbert – alt1350m
- Montchavin – alt1250m
- Les Coches – alt1450m

The 6 high altitude resorts are linked by a shuttle bus, which is free (except the Telebus, access Plagne Village/Soleil), from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Situated opposite the Mont-Blanc and Beaufortain ranges, snow is guaranteed and there are plenty of late night bars, bowling, concert evenings etc. On the activity front, the choice is wide, from skidoos to bobsleighs (unique in France) as well as the ice rink and paragliding or the 7cube, a 900 metre long snow park, entirely dedicated to freestyle.

In the heart of the Haute-Tarentaise, at 1850 m above sea level, facing due South, La Rosiére is a friendly resort built respecting mountain architectural traditions.

La Rosiére is right on the French border with Italy, on the Petit St Bernard pass (used, it is said, by Hannibal en-route from Spain to Rome) and linked with the Italian resort of La Thuile. The two resorts, although very different, form a substantial ski area.
La Rosiére also provides a useful gateway to some exciting helicopter skiing across the border, enabling French heli-skiers (who are banned from practising the sport in their own country) to heli-ski in Italy to their hearts' content, before returning to France's Tarentaise Valley. The combined area has 33 lifts and 135km of pistes.

La Tania is in the Courchevel valley of the Three Valleys, one of the biggest ski and snowboarding areas in the world, made up of the Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens valleys.

La Tania is set in the forest between Courchevel and Meribel.

This is a great destination for family ski holidays or for mixed ability group skiing holidays. La Tania also has the benefit of being located away from the hustle and bustle of its neighbouring bigger resorts. There's a good variety of shops and restaurants and local bars which often have plenty going on with live bands often kicking off the aprés-ski and continuing well into the evening.

Take Les Arcs, one of the most talked about ski resorts in recent years following the building of a new village, Arc 1950. Located just below the Aiguille Rouge there are spectacular views of Mont Blanc, where the first and best snow falls. It's in the heart of the Les Arcs ski domain, one of the most extensive and varied ski areas of the world.

Part of the 'Evasion Mont Blanc' ski area, Les Contamines offers great skiing, with advanced skiers receiving the best treatment. The off-piste is excellent but a guide is a real must. Intermediates have a good selection of pistes and can try some of the blacks, but there is less choice for beginners.

Les Contamines has a reliable snow record even though it is fairly low-lying. It is largely unspoilt and maintains its rustic charm – it even has a weekly market. Nightlife is limited to a small number of bars and a couple of clubs, but the atmosphere is vibrant.

The main resort of the Dauphine region, Les Deux Alpes is very popular with the British. It offers fantastic snow and has the largest glacier (3568m) in Europe, which allows summer skiing. Boarders will also like Les Deux Alpes, with its park, 'Nitro', and its October World Snowboarders' Meeting.

There are some great black runs for advanced skiers at the La Fee area and nearby La Grave for some of the best off-piste around.

There's plenty of choice for beginners and intermediates but beware that many of the blue slopes are quite challenging; these pistes can also get quite crowded and there is only one easy run back to the resort. The lift system is very efficient.

The town is reasonably attractive and fairly spread out but does have a good range of shops and restaurants, plus a varied and lively nightlife. There are other non-skiing activities, and childcare is very good, so is good for families.

Les Gets is founded on the periphery of the massive but disjointed Portes du Soleil and if you've got a spare month or two, there are 650km of pistes to explore in and around the area. Although situated at a fairly low altitude the snow record is excellent and the skiing is particularly good for beginners and intermediates. Families should find Les Gets an attractive venue with great ski school provision for children. Ski-to-your-door accessibility is also a huge bonus.

If you're looking for nightlife and non-skiing activities there's not a lot to do but it's an attractive place with good local skiing and the rest of the Portes du Soleil is fairly accessible.

Les Menuires has a privileged situation in The Three Valleys, the biggest ski area in the world (600 km of slopes and 180 ski lifts), with an amazing diversity of slopes, tracks and activities.

Apart from skiing you can go walking on foot or with the snowshoes, or alternatively you could try the buggy or quad. There's also a swimming pool and fitness room. There's even a local culture to be explored and classical concerts at night.

Les Menuires has kept hold of its warm, functional image (most of the buildings are on the slopes) with architectural landscape being chalets and residences made of wood and stone.

For families with children there's a day care center, nursery and kinder garden that takes children from a young as 3 months.

Les Sybelles is an extensive ski area with 310km of pistes dominated by easy intermediate slopes and gentle, uncrowded off-piste. It's an excellent area for near beginners and timid intermediates though more advanced skiers may struggle to find enough challenging terrain.

Les Sybelles comprises the villages of Le Corbier, La Toussuire, St Jean d'Arves, Les Bottieres, St Sorlin d'Arves and St Colomban les Villards. Les Sybelles is an extensive ski area with 310km of pistes dominated by easy intermediate slopes and gentle, uncrowded off-piste.

Méribel is situated right in the heart of the Three Valleys – the biggest inter-linked winter sports area in the world. With 200 lifts and 600 km of slopes, and endless off-slope possibilities, it's a great place to spend your skiing holiday.

Since Mont Vallon and the top of the valley were opened up some years ago, Méribel has been able to stand up against the likes of Courchevel and Val-Thorens.
Méribel is built entirely in tasteful chalet-style, with wood siding everywhere. The centre is very pleasant with raised walkways by the shops above the one-way road. The village has grown rapidly in recent years and now spreads widely over the mountainside although it is still fairly upmarket.

The ski resort of Montgenévre is situated in the Brianconnais area of the Hautes-Alpes department in the Southern Alps region. The lift served area extends from 1850 metres to 2800 metres. There are 100 km of lift served runs and 18 km of cross country trails.

Virtually on the Italian border, Montgenévre combines the charm of a traditional alpine village with the benefits of a modern ski resort. It's linked into one of the biggest international skiing areas: the Milky Way, offering over 400km of runs (ski area including Sestriéres).

Montgenévre's excellent snow coverage, exceptional panoramas and some 300 days of sunshine a year, will pretty much ensure great skiing conditions. It's vast snow front is the perfect stage for a multitude of events and activities, providing hours of entertainment for young and old alike.

Morzine is nestled within the valleys of the Porte du Soleil area in the French Alps and is a picturesque and traditional ski resort, with panoramic views of the infamous Mont Blanc Massif, the Dents Blanc, and The Aravis.

Morzine is located in the region of Haute Savoie and on the French border with Switzerland. It's one of fourteen ski resorts within the Porte du Soleil area and at 1000m is hugely popular amongst skiers and snow boarders over the winter months, and mountain bikers, hikers and golfers during the summer season.

Just one hour from Geneva, Morzine is also in close proximity to popular historical and spa towns, Annecy, Yvoire, Thonon, and Evian. Unlike many other mountain resorts, Morzine has retained its original structures and appealing features, to be a charming, traditional market town.

Though predominantly a ski resort, Morzine caters for all types of mountain activities for all ages and abilities. With perfectly equipped slopes for beginners and intermediate levels, Morzine is ideal for families or less-experienced skiers and snow boarders. In addition to this, its closeness to Avoriaz enables it to provide more challenging runs for the adventurous, with a large number of exhilarating off-piste trails.

Puy St Vincent (or PSV, as it's more commonly known) sits in one of the most stunning settings at the edge of the National Park "Les Ecrins" and is still considered by many to be one of skiing's best kept secrets. Apart from a couple of weeks during French holidays, Puy St Vincent is virtually queue free.

It's famed for its micro-climate and excellent skiing and was awarded International Family Ski Resort of the Year in 2003.

Puy St Vincent is made up of 2 bases-modern, purpose built resort (altitude 1600) and old village below it (altitude 1400).

It's primarily a family resort. There are great nursery runs for beginners, a good ski school and a wide range of child-specific provision. For intermediates, the resort provides a limited number of slopes that will challenge the majority of skiers. For experts there are some decent black pistes and the possibility of guided off-piste.

Puy St Vincent is a good venue at which to learn and have a quiet family holiday, but is not for people looking for late nights and masses of pistes to conquer. Challenges exist for intermediates and advanced skiers, but they're fairly limited. The atmosphere is relaxing and the village unspoilt.

There's also paragliding, snow-shoe trails, dog-sled rides, outdoor ice skating, quad biking, snowmobiles, cinema, a few restaurants and bars.

One of the southern French resorts, Risoul started up in 1977. It's linked to neighbouring Vars 1850 for a combined total of 174km of pistes, collectively called the Domaine de la Foret Blanche.

Risoul is good value with great sunshine and a surprisingly late season. For such a southern resort, it has a remarkably good snow record, also offering tree-line skiing and good boarding at the Surfland Park.

The skiing is convenient, but much more for the beginner and intermediate market, with fairly limited off-piste challenges for the more advanced skier. The selection of restaurants and non-skiing activities is fairly limited

The pretty resort of Samöens is set in picture postcard surroundings, encircled by seven magnificent mountains. The relaxed resort provides the perfect family destination where you can take time to enjoy some fine regional food and wine.

The village boasts France's fifth biggest interlinked ski area, the Grand Massif, on its doorstep offering 265km for all levels of skiers.

Samoëns is situated in the Grand Massif at 720m, and is only a 45 minute drive from Geneva. In the winter this authentic mountain village offers more than 240 km of ski slopes. Samoëns also offers a wide array of different winter activities, such as snowshoe walks, archery, dog-sledding, paragliding, ice skating and more.

The Grand Massif ski area consists of five resorts, Samoëns, Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, linked by 265km of pistes.

Serre Chevalier is 250 km of pleasure. In fact, skiers and snowboarders call it Grand Serre Ché especially being the second largest ski area in the world.

The resort with 13 villages is spread over 4 areas: Briancon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve La Salle and Le Monetier, Les Bains, at the gates of the Ecrins National Park. From great skiing in the high mountains to peaceful skiing in the Mélézes woods, there are also special areas for families, which is why they say Serre Chevalier is for everyone.

The extensive ski area, and the excellent weather record of Serre Chevalier, offers excellent conditions for all types of skier and boarder.

There's a good snow record, combined with more than 300 days of sunshine every year.

The resort is located in Hautes Alpes which is the most southern area in the alps with real high mountains. It is actually the area in the French Alps where you find most mountain peaks more than 4.000 meters.

Serre Chevalier comprises a collection of over a dozen villages all linked into the local ski area.

You'll be enchanted by the charm of Sainte-Foy, a typical alpine village, with cosy traditional stone-and wood-built chalets as well as breathtaking views across to Mont Pourri.

Whether you're a skier or boarder, you'll love the varied terrain of Sainte-Foy. There are acres to explore just a few metres from the pistes, amongst the pines trees, and on the numerous off-piste routes, such as Le Monal and the infamous north face of Fogliettaz.

Sainte Foy is an intriguing and unexpectedly challenging area close to the Italian border, on the road up to Val d'Isére from Bourg-St-Maurice. The village is small and quaint and there are only a handful of lifts. But the terrain, almost entirely in the trees and much of it off-piste, is challenging. Heli-skiers often return from the Italian slopes across the border, via some of Sainte Foy's outlying slopes.

Directly linked to the amazing skiing of the Three Valleys is the beautiful mountain village of St Martin de Belleville-the undiscovered gem of the world's largest ski area.

This wonderful Savoyard village retains the charm of a traditional French Alpine village lost in many modern resorts, with none of the maddening crowds. St Martin de Belleville is a real village resort, certainly dedicated to lovers of authenticity, but also with all the access facilities, infrastructure and shops expected of an up to date winter sports resort.

The ski area is inexhaustible, with 600km of beautifully groomed runs to suit all abilities, as well as bumps, steeps, or amazing off piste terrain – the perfect choice for mixed ability parties & families.

Tignes is served by the large well linked ski area called L'Espace Killy, sharing the area with Val d'Isere and, with over 300km (190 miles) of pistes & extensive off-piste, it has become one of Europe's premier resorts. Due to its altitude, up to 3500m.

Tignes has a reliable snow record and according to 'The good Ski & Snowboarding Guide' Tignes/Val d'Isere is one of only two ski areas in France listed as 'Snow-sure resorts'.

Tignes boasts a fast & efficient lift system 97 lifts including 2 high speed underground trains, one of which transports you from Tignes Val Claret to the 'Panoramic Restaurant' on the Grand Motte Glacier. All standards are catered for with 5 free lifts for beginners.

L'Espace Killy is known for its incredible off-piste with good lift access. There is also the 1992 Winter Olympic downhill course should you wish to give it a try.

Right at the end of France's Haute Tarentaise valley close to the Italian border, Val d'Isére and its twin ski resort Tignes make up the celebrated Espace Killy ski region.

With more than 1000 hectares of the most varied marked ski runs imaginable, and a remarkable 10,000 hectares of off-piste, much of it is easily accessible from the lift system. It's one of the most exhilarating ski areas in the world. Indeed, it is not difficult to make a case for Val d'Isére and its neighbour being among a handful of the world's finest ski resorts – some would even say the finest.

It is an historical village, which has grown into the place to ski for all serious skiers, yet retains its character and warmth.

Nursery slopes in the centre of the village allow families to meet up easily.
It has a great snow record.

Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe at 2300m and at such a high altitude you're as likely as anywhere to enjoy snow all season with the Glacier de Péclet allowing summer skiing.

Because the resort is traffic-free and purpose-built, almost anywhere you stay will allow you to ski-to-your-door.

As part of the Three Valleys, Val Thorens' extended skiing is excellent, with intermediates particularly well provided for. Advanced skiers will love the access to the Maurienne Valley for off-piste fun. Boarders will be left out in the cold for all the right reasons with the excellent snow park.

Scattered around the resort are several gentle greens and, once these are mastered, beginners can easily start on the blues, many of which end up in the neighbouring resort of Les Menuires. Aprés-ski is limited to a few bars and restaurants and there is little to do in respect of non-skiing activities.

Founded in 1976, Valmorel is one purpose-built French resort that breaks the mould. Called the Grande Domaine, Valmorel and St Francois Longchamps have 165km of marked pistes. The resort is composed of a number of small satellite villages.

Set at 1400m, with a top altitude of 2550m, Valmorel has gained the reputation as being an excellent family resort for a number of reasons. Firstly, the centre of the village is car-free, secondly, most of the pistes cater for beginners and intermediates and thirdly there are areas specially designed for people of all ages to learn. This does mean that advanced skiers aren't presented with very much to test their skills, apart from mogul fields and some good off-piste.

The resort is right by the ski area, so you can ski to your door. Off the mountain, there's very little to do once the lifts have stopped running although there are a few reasonable restaurants, bars and shops.