Alp d’Huez
With 250 km of fabulous and off-piste slopes, the Alpe d’Huez will make all standard skiers happy for a week. A star attraction is the 16 km Sarenne race with a drop of about 1,800 m from the summit of Pic Blanc. When you take a break from the slopes (and recover from this descent) there is a splendid indoor-outdoor pool, a separate indoor pool, an Olympic outdoor ice rink, a large gym, a climbing wall, archery and badminton. The Alpine Coaster’s sleigh rails are worth a stroll, while the cross-country trails and walking trails are extensive.
How to do it: Seven nights at the 4-star Hotel Pic Blanc with Inghams (01483 319 477; inghams.co.uk) costs from £ 1,199 per person.
Montgenèvre
Based in an old rustic village on the Italian border, Montgenèvre has recently been upgraded and is full of new smart developments. For a small place, there is a lot on offer. The local ski resort, one of the snowiest in the French Alps, has many varied slopes, while the resort is also part of the Milky Way circuit, which extends to Sauze d’Oulx in Italy. offers 400 km of slopes. Meanwhile, the 1.4 km long Monty Express sleigh ride on rails, the longest in France, makes for an exciting ride. The resort also has a splendid water center, an outdoor ice rink, snowmobiles and paragliding.
How to do it: Seven nights at the luxurious Hotel Anova with Crystal (020 3451 2821; crystalski.co.uk) costs from £ 948 per person.
Relax and restart
Brides-les-Bains
A relaxing and affordable place to stay, Brides les Bains is a small town with hot springs connected by cable car to Méribel and the heart of the ski resort of Les 3 Vallées, the largest area in the world. If you’re more interested in putting your feet up than putting on your boots, the newly refurbished Grand Spa Thermal is a great place to pamper yourself. With a large thermal pool, herbal and aromatic steam baths, a sauna, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, a tea lounge and a sun terrace, there are plenty of packages to choose from (no accommodation) that include wraps. algae body treatments, massages and beauty treatments.
How to do it: Winter Relax Spa Access Package costs from £ 25 per person (0033 479 552 344; thermes-brideslesbains.com); additional treatments. Seven nights at the Hotel Altis Val Vert with ski weekends (02380 206971; skiweekends.com) cost from £ 625 per person with transfers included; excludes flights.
Avoriaz
The Avoriaz, built specifically, is built on a cliff with good views of the Morzine Valley and a snow-covered main square with no traffic. It is ideally located for exploring the 600 km of mainly intermediate slopes in the Portes du Soleil ski area, which stretches along the French-Swiss border. Aquariaz Leisure Center (£ 5.85 for children, £ 9.20 for adults; avoriaz.com) is perfect for families, with a fun pool with exotic jungle vegetation, a bubble pool, waterfall, water slide half pipe and outdoor hot tub with great views. Amara’s Deep Nature Spa is open to the public and offers massages, treatments, a sauna, a steam bath and an outdoor hot tub.
How to do it: Seven nights for a two bedroom apartment in the premium 5 star residence Amara with Skiline (020 8313 3999; skiline.co.uk) costs from £ 3,234 based on six people shared; includes flights and transfers.
