Whether you're a talented godmother, a freestyle freak or a gourmet, French resorts offer a wide range of possibilities and can easily be adapted to suit all tastes and budgets. Who will be voted best party girl, best foodie or family-friendly? Tour of the slopes of the must-see resorts of the French Alps
The most family-friendly: Morzine
To make the whole tribe happy, Morzine, labelled "Famille Plus Montagne", has acquired remarkable infrastructures, adapted to all ages and desires. The younger ones will go to L'Outa Daycare for snowball battles and indoor games, before probably negotiating a sled ride or a ride with you. For the older ones, it will be time to perfect their skills, skis on, before most certainly trying paintball, quad biking, snowmobiling and, for the more adventurous, paragliding or diving under the ice. After so much effort, if your dear teenagers are not tired, don't panic! You can let them warm up the dancefloor of the disco L'Opéra Club. During your well-deserved rest beaches, it is with your charming blond heads that you will visit the cheese dairy, the slate workshop of Morzine or the stable of the village of Les Nants. Finally, your last evening will probably be devoted to a show recounting the history of skiing with ESF instructors in period costumes
The most freestyle: Les 2 Alpes
Lovers of thrills, freestyle enthusiasts, the 2 Alps are made for you! The Mecca of skiing for more than 20 years, riders from all over the world flock there in summer and winter. Les 2 Alpes is first and foremost the 16 hectare Freestyle Land with real signage to understand the discipline and enjoy yourself between ledges, canyons, rocky bar jumps as well as on small playful modules. There is also a boardercross of nearly one kilometre. Sensations guaranteed before working on your backflip rodeo on the various modules whose reputation is well established. And between two runs, what could be better than to sit on a deckchair around a barbecue or to go, between 3pm and 5pm, for a drink at the Pano Bar. Here again, while a DJ is making his turntables suffer, it will be a question of working on his hips at an altitude of 2,600 metres
The most festive: Val Thorens
Val Thorens is the promise of lively nights in the heart of the Three Valleys. Your evening will start before the slopes close when you go for a drink and dance at La Folie Douce. At the top of the "Plein Sud" chairlift, you will listen to lounge and electro music with percussionists and live singers in a lively atmosphere. When the last gondolas close shop, get on a snowmobile to discover the estate or warm up the hand brake and squeal the tires of a rally car on the Alain Prost ice circuit. If you want to start a long night more calmly, it is advisable to sit down in one of the mountain restaurants for a typical Savoyard evening before going down on snowshoes or skis. It will then be time for everyone to join one of the many bars in the resort before opting for one of the village's discos
The most jet-set: Courchevel
If summer rhymes with Monte-Carlo or Saint-Tropez, winter is combined with Courchevel. In the heart of the Trois Vallées, the world's largest ski area, each chalet offers direct access to the slopes, 4 and 5 star hotels are growing like mushrooms and starred restaurants have taken up residence there. They are not the only ones since we regularly meet in the Savoy station the King of Morocco Mohammed VI or Lionel Ritchie rubbing shoulders with finance magnates and Russian billionaires all dressed in mink. Between two sticks, all these beautiful people gather at lunchtime at the Chalet de Pierres to enjoy a pie in Beaufort before leaving for a stroll at Lacroix, Gucci or Dolce & Gabbana. After a sparkling cup in the Strato's refined lobby or a moment of ecstasy in its swimming pool, which, sheltered from a Murano chandelier, offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks, it will be time to eat. And then, the choice will be a tough one with 14 Michelin stars in the resort!
The most gourmet: La Clusaz
Fine gourmets will climb to La Clusaz to discover the Savoyard specialities. Indeed, the resort is the cradle of Reblochon, a treasure of our gastronomic heritage, which has had an AOC since 1958. At the end of a busy day of skiing, what a joy to discover one of the fifteen farms that line the resort. The visit will then end with a tasting which, once the palace is awake, will make you want to attack one of the excellent restaurants in the resort. For a delicious moment, head for the Confins plateau and its breathtaking panorama. Above the snow-covered lake surrounded by a majestic mountain circus, Le Chalet du Lac will welcome you with simplicity, in a timeless atmosphere, to enjoy a pan-fried caillons or a chicken with three vinegars. In the city centre, towards La Scierie for a lamb mouse or a tartiflette, around a large fireplace
The most natural: Pralognan-la-Vanoise
To make the most of nature, head for Pralognan-la-Vanoise, a small resort located above Moûtiers. Surrounded by 30 peaks over 3,000 metres high, the setting is truly magical. And then, it is an open door to the Vanoise National Nature Park, with its many hiking trails, fauna and flora and ski slopes. Whether it is downhill skiing, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, you can enjoy many outdoor activities. Marmots, mountain refuges, and fabulous panoramas... pure pleasure for romantic or family stays.
The unsuspected: Super-Besse
Going to Super-Besse is the guarantee of a great vacation. This winter sports resort, located in the Massif Central, offers you everything you need. Want to rush down the slopes with your friends? The resort offers 43 km of slopes with all the facilities for new snow sports. But you can also practice cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or even sledging. Are you rather thrill-seeking? No problem, you can get down the station by zip line! Finally, are you a fan of a quiet family holiday? Super-Besse has it all planned! The resort offers a snow garden to discover skiing from 3 years old, toboggan runs for family fun, entertainment for all age groups... You have a choice!
Smart info
When? When? All winter of course to enjoy these exceptional ski resorts.
How to get there? There is nothing better than renting a car to get to the resort and be mobile all week long
By train: SNCF - More information on the website
By car: SIXT - More information on the website
Where to stay? To find all the best accommodation in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region - More information on the website
Useful. To prepare your escapade as well as possible.
SAVOY TOURISM OFFICES MONT BLANC - More information on the website
THE GOOD PLANS OF AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES - More information on the website
