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France Resort Guides
High above the Oisans Valley, with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, Alpe d’Huez boasts an excellent snow record with an established reputation for long hours of sunshine. Its vast ski area, linked by an efficient lift system, is ideally suited to skiers of all grades and, with plenty of snow cannons and the highest runs at 3330m, skiers can be sure of good conditions. With excellent ski schools and kindergarten, a wide range of leisure facilities and activities plus a good choice of bars, restaurants and nightspots all with a lively, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, Alpe d’Huez is an excellent choice for all.
Full of action with lots of live music. Try the Crowded House Bar in the Hermitage for a British atmosphere, Smithy's Tavern, the Underground Bar in the Hotel Chamois. For a more French ambience try Zoo bar or L'Etalon
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Avoriaz is in the fabulous Portes du Soleil ski area, with an enormous 650kms of high altitude slopes in France and Switzerland. Characterised by its bold, modern architecture, Avoriaz is entirely traffic free and offers doorstep skiing and first class snow. Both are lively resorts with lots to do.• Avoriaz: The Tavaillon, 'The Place', 'La Cabane' and Globetrotters • Morzine: lively with reasonable prices; Dixie Bar, Le Crépuscule and Bowling Bar.
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This picturesque spa town at the base of the Three Valleys has a high speed gondola link to Meribel and represents excellent value. There is a wide range of amenities, restaurants and shops. There is also a fabulous Health Spa offering a range of relaxing treatments.Choose from the range of restaurants and bars or the fabulous health spa, with great facilities and beauty treatments.
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Chamonix is set at the foot of Europe's highest mountain, the awesome Mont Blanc at 4807m. A fascinating and traditional ski resort, the cosmopolitan town centre offers a good range of shops, bars and restaurants whilst the skiing is spread across 5 separate areas, giving huge variety. Argentière lies just 8kms further up the valley from Chamonix and is linked by an efficient bus service (free with your lift pass).Chamonix has plenty going on throughout the night, while Argentière is more relaxed and informal.• Jekyll, Escape, Bar'd Up, Chambre Neuf, The Pub, Casino (Chamonix).
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Built originally for the Winter Olympics, Chamrousse is just 40 minutes from Grenoble, making it one of the most accessible resorts in the Alps. The resort consists of three levels – Le Recoins (1650m), Chamrousse 1700 and Roche Beranger (1750m) – and offers a good variety of slopes and tree lined runs with over 92km of piste. There are excellent views down the valley to Grenoble. Enjoy some après ski on the sunny terraces or in the cosy cafés: • Try Iceberg café • Le Sixty's
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Châtel is an attractive market town located on the border with Switzerland and forms part of the mighty Portes du Soleil - one of the largest ski areas in the world. This picturesque traditional village resort offers skiers and boarders alike a perfect combination of well maintained ski slopes suitable for all abilities and endless exciting off-piste opportunities The Portes du Soleil is a consortium of 14 ski villages ranging from internationally recognised resorts to unspoilt hamlets and comprises some 650km of piste with 209 ski lifts. Whether you are a recreational skier or an expert - there is skiing to suit all abilities with the additional novelty of skiing in two different countries.
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With immaculate pistes and stunning scenery, Courchevel is a world class ski resort and the most prestigious in the Three Valleys. Spread over four levels all linked by a free bus service, from Le Praz at 1300, through 1550 and 1650, up to the largest resort of 1850, the Courchevel valley offers something for everyone. As a favourite of the well-heeled of Europe, Courchevel 1850 boasts a wide selection of fine hotels, designer boutiques, top class restaurants and a buzzing nightlife. Sitting just below 1850 with its own ski area, 1650 is smaller and has a very welcoming atmosphere. As well as being ideal for all levels of skier, Courchevel is a great choice for non-skiers with its village atmosphere and many cleared walks between villages.
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An exceptionally friendly, informal and family-orientated resort, where our guests are made to feel genuinely welcome, Flaine also offers superb value and excellent facilities. Most of the skiing is in a wide snow bowl, but with the Grand Massif pass, it is also possible to sample the tree-lined runs leading down to the nearby satellite resorts of Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt. Flaine Forum is the traffic-free heart of the resort linked by a short free funicular (24 hours a day) to Flaine Forêt, whilst a little further from the centre is the charming Hameau de Flaine with its own ski hire shop, mini supermarket, bar and restaurant, linked to Flaine Forêt by a free bus. Nightlife is informal, mostly concentrated in the hotels, bars and restaurants. Le White Pub for traditional pub food and good value! Le Diamant Noir or Flying Dutchman for live music and lively atmosphere.
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Isola 2000 is a wonderful ski resort nestled in the Alpes Maritimes above the Côte d'Azur, combining modern design with an efficient lift network. Isola has an excellent snow record, with skiing above and below the tree line. The sunny pistes are perfect for all levels. Indoor walkways link the main resort shops bars and hotels so there is no wrap up at night! Nightlife is fairly low key but there are a number of great value bars • Try Le Petit Chamois and Le Cow Club. With your inclusive car hire, the nightlife on the Riviera is easily reached - have a night out in Monte Carlo!
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La Clusaz is a charming old Savoyard village and is one of the prettiest, most established ski resorts in the Alps. Although largely unknown outside France, La Clusaz never fails to win over visitors with its traditional village feel, genuine sense of community and great selection of bars, shops and restaurants. There is a superb variety of skiing in the La Clusaz area alone, plus a further 80km of piste in neighbouring Grand Bornand, linked by a free bus included on the full area Aravis Lift Pass. A lively and bustling resort with a number of different types of bars to choose from. Le Salto for après ski drinks, Les Caves du Paccaly and Le Grenier for live music and DJs and L'Ecluse discothèque.
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Le Corbier is part of Les Sybelles, one of the largest ski areas in the Maurienne Valley, sharing 300km of terrain with the neighbouring resorts of Les Bottières, St Jean d'Arves, St-Sorlin d'Arves and La Toussuire. The new Sybelles Express six-person chair-lift takes skiers up from the village centre to the top of Mont Corbier in eight minutes. The skiing is ideal for beginners and lower intermediates.
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Les Arcs is a wonderful, modern resort filled with inspiring skiing. Now linked to La Plagne, the 'Paradiski' area offers a massive 425 kms of pistes, including the Aiguille Rouge glacier above Arc 2000 with guaranteed snow. There are 4 self-contained villages at different heights: Arc 1800 has a lively atmosphere and excellent access to the skiing. Arc 2000 is popular with experienced skiers, with skiing to and from the doorstep. Arc 1600 has a real village atmosphere whilst Arc 1950 is the newest village, built in a traditional style. Live music in the Red Hot Saloon in 1800, and Chalet Luigi in 1950, where all the main sporting events are screened. Try El Latino Loco in 2000 for a lively, informal atmosphere and more live music. Discos include the Apokalypse in 1800 the KL92 in Arc 2000 and Luigi's in 1950.
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La Plagne comprises some ten villages, each with its own character and infrastructure. All share the same vast ski area and are linked to at least one other by a bus or cable car service until 1 a.m. The aptly named Belle Plagne is built in chalet style and is the most scenic. Plagne Soleil, Centre and Village are ideally situated in a sunny bowl and offer great piste access. Aime la Plagne is the highest of the ten resorts and its impressive position is particularly appreciated by keen skiers. To complete your week, a ride on the double decker Vanoise Express cable car to ski over in neighbouring les Arcs is a must!
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Set high above the Upper Tarantaise valley and on the route of the Petit St Bernard Pass (closed in winter) is La Rosière 1850 and the international ski area linking La Thuile in Italy to form the Espace San Bernardo. Enjoy fantastic views of the three major surrounding mountains, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa before skiing wide open runs, many suitable for all standards of skier. The village has a traditional French feel, and all the ingredients for an excellent family skiing holiday. Plenty of après ski going on in the village catering for all tastes from lively to quiet. Arpin's bar for karaoke, le p'tit relais, Le Solaret, Le Pub or Le Petit Danois.
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La Tania is in the heart of a pine forest and is a true 'ski from the door' resort! Perfectly located between Courchevel and Meribel, La Tania gives you immediate access and undoubtedly the best value base for skiing the 'Three Valleys'. Snow cannons ensure that the runs back to resort are good right throughout the season and there is a variety of great value bars and restaurants.La Tania is relaxed, with an informal atmosphere and reasonably priced bars. Your Representative can organise trips to Meribel and Courchevel, according to the demand of those seeking more lively nightlife.
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Les Coches is located at an altitude of 1450m and nestles on the wooded slopes, at the western fringe of the La Plagne piste area. It is a small, modern Savoyarde style village with a friendly atmosphere. The centre is virtually traffic free and the network of little streets has a selection of shops, bars, restaurants and one night club. There is some lovely sheltered skiing above the village on fairly easy tree lined runs. The skiing here is generally snow sure being north facing and having extensive snow making. It is possible, for those wishing to stay close to home, to purchase a lift pass just for these 30 km of runs. Families are well served in Les Coches with children's clubs from 6 months to 18 years.
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Set high up in the picturesque Dauphine region of the Southern Alps, Les Deux Alpes is one of France's oldest and most prestigious ski resorts. This vast ski area ranks amongst the highest (3568m) and has a staggering 220kms of ski slopes. The resort has a lively and an especially friendly atmosphere, plus an excellent variety of interesting shops and boutiques, a heated outdoor pool and ice rink (FREE with the lift pass), and a myriad of lively bars and inviting restaurants. Lively and cosmopolitan with a choice of bars, restaurants and shops. L'Opéra nightclub, The Secret for live music and games, Smokey Joe's for a lively atmosphere or Smithy's with DJ's for a jazzy night out.
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Les Gets village has an appealing mixture of old chalets in distinctive Savoyard style and tasteful modern buildings, which blend to create a charm and character not always found in French resorts. Les Gets has a colourful main street with lots of reasonably priced shops, bars and restaurants. The ski range of the fabulous Portes du Soleil is excellent, and there is a good choice of non-skiing activities.
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At 1,815m purpose built Les Menuires is just below Val Thorens, providing great conditions and a convenient, good value foothold in the Three Valleys. Lifts radiate out in all directions from the village giving easy and quick access to the ski area whilst the resort itself has a good selection of bars and restaurants to keep visitors entertained. Although this village is described as quiet, there are certainly plenty of bars and two nightclubs to choose from.
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Megeve is a charming, traditional resort of alpine chalets and luxury hotels amid a lovely scenic setting. The town is surrounded on all sides by gently wooded slopes and wonderful views that can be enjoyed from the mountains. There are miles of uncrowded slopes that are perfect for intermediates, but Megeve is also popular with non-skiers due to the excellent range of other winter activities to enjoy. Megeve is a delightfully sophisticated town with a charming old centre and pretty alpine ski area with often uncrowded slopes that are largely amongst the trees. Exclusive hotels and elegant restaurants and classy bars add to the upmarket air of this Savoyarde town. Only an hour from Geneva, Megeve is a wonderful choice for a winter wonderland holiday due to the superb range of nonskiing activities on offer including scenic flights over Mont Blanc.
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One of France’s most attractive ski resorts, set in the heart of the extensive Three Valleys. The skiing opportunities are endless, with easy access to the neighbouring resorts of Courchevel and Val Thorens. Méribel centre is the valley’s liveliest resort, with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. Slightly higher is Mottaret, appealing more to the serious skier and with a good choice of ski in, ski out accommodation. Families love the self contained satellite resort of Méribel Village with its friendly relaxed atmosphere, just 2kms below the main resort. A really excellent all-round resort that offers something for
everyone!
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Montgenèvre, on the edge of the superb Milky Way, offers excellent skiing whilst the village itself still retains its charming and traditional centre. Just 15 minutes from the Italian border, the Grand Galaxy lift pass extension covers the famous Franco-Italian Milky Way ski circuit with over 400km of piste as well as a day's skiing in Serre Chevalier, Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d'Huez and Puy St Vincent. In addition, Montgenèvre plays host to a festival in January 'Les Januades'. During the three weeks, there is jazz, cinema, theatre and cabarets every evening. Le Graal. Club Bluenight for a lively nightclub atmosphere, Pub Chaberton, Le Tourmandre and Les Rois Mages.
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Morzine is a traditional Savoyard town, superbly situated in the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest linked international ski areas in the world. The resort is set in a picturesque valley, and has a distinct charm with its traditional chalet style architecture. Convenient links in the Portes du Soleil allow easy access to the nearby Swiss resorts of Morgins and Champéry, and the French resorts of Châtel and Les Gets, or over into Avoriaz for some more testing runs. Non-skiers will also be happy to wander around the bustling streets, with plenty of shops, bars, cafés and restaurants to suit everyone. Popular with self-drive guests and families, Morzine is an excellent all-round resort offering great value.
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Risoul is part part of La Forêt Blanche and together with Vars is one of the largest ski areas in the Southern French Alps which boasts a good snow record and a marvellous sunshine record. Risoul is a compact resort, with many traditional chalet-style buildings. The nearby Vars is larger with a good range of amenities. Both resorts are purpose built yet are still attractive and have lovely woodland settings and a genuine French atmosphere. Lively and informal with a number of popular bars to choose from
• The Yeti, La Place, La Licorne, Bar Babao, Snowboard Café, Le Cherine and The Morgan nightclub
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Serre Chevalier takes its name from the peak that dominates the valley shared by old villages and new resorts alike. It has a feel of provincial France and, with its large ski area including 250km of marked piste, must surely be one of France’s best kept secrets! Our chosen resort is the old village of Villeneuve with its good selection of bars, restaurants and shops plus a relaxed and informal nightlife; its position in the centre of the valley offers marvellous skiing convenience from which to explore the whole domain and, together with the possibility of skiing one day in Alpe d’Huez, les Deux Alpes, Puy St. Vincent or the Italian Milky Way (included with the Grand Serre Che lift pass), is ideal for skiers of all standards.
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St. Martin de Belleville is a charming Savoyarde village with a lovely historic centre, a gondola link to the ski area and easy skiing to the village. There are two bars in the centre of the village. The Pourquoi Pas is a cosy bar with a log fire and Brewskis is a more lively bar with music and Karaoke.
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Les Sybelles is a new ski area in the Maurienne Valley linking the villages of Le Corbier, La Toussuire, St Jean d'Arves, Les Bottières, St Colomban les Villards and St. Sorlin d'Arves with over 300km of piste. Continual improvements to the pistes and lifts are making this area an excellent alternative to the more expensive mainstream resorts. St Sorlin is a small, charming village with a typically French atmosphere and the buildings have a traditional, Savoyarde style. The resort has informal, low-key but good value nightlife. L'Extrême and L'Avalanche for après ski and La Godille for a traditional, French feel.
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The uncrowded resort of Superdévoluy, in the southern French Alps, has been a popular addition to our winter programme. South of Grenoble and close to Gap, it shares a wonderful up and coming ski area with nearby Joue du Loup, offering100km of pistes to explore. The resort has benefited from recent development of lifts and accommodation and skiers and snowboarders looking for something new will be pleasantly surprised. Dévoluy offers a variety of après ski experiences, with a selection of bars and restaurants to keep visitors entertained. Try Le Bar Presse, Le Village Pub and La Fournaise and Le Chalet to dance the night away!
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Set high in the magnificent Savoie Alps, Tignes offers some of the best skiing in Europe with guaranteed year-round snow. Val Claret, the highest part of the resort offers the best access to the skiing, being at the foot of the glacier. It has a number of shops, restaurants and bistros. Le Lavachet has chairlift links to Tovière and connections onto Val d'Isère and offers a variety of cafés/restaurants. Bustling, lively Lac de Tignes, with runs leading directly back into the resort has a twice weekly market, shops, bars, restaurants and an ultra-modern sports centre.• Scotty's Bar for a good atmosphere, the Terrachu or Crowded House attract many British skiers.
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Val Cenis is a charming ski resort comprised of two traditional villages, Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard. They both offer excellent value for money and a good range of skiing for all levels. The atmosphere in the villages is warm and friendly with low key nightlife. For a further selection of accommodation see our website. Quiet but good value for money with a small range of bars and restaurants.
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Considered by many to be the world's premier ski resort, Val d'Isère is hard to fault, offering some of the best skiing anywhere together with exciting and lively après ski. The attractive village dates back to the 13th century and still retains much of its original Savoyarde charm. The Espace Killy is undoubtedly one of the greatest ski areas with 97 ski lifts whisking you in all directions up to heights of over 3500m, including the Le Fornet glacier with guaranteed snow. Lively right until to the early hours of the morning at the Saloon, Petit Danois, Morris, and Pacific. Finally visit the famous Dicks Tea Bar.
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Set amongst the spectacular scenery of the Maurienne Valley, Valloire represents excellent value for money with a friendly, French atmosphere. Valloire, built around a seventeenth century Baroque style church, is a family orientated resort with an authentic and traditional French village feel. The smaller purpose built neighbouring resort of Valmeinier offers spectacular views over the surrounding mountains. The skiing in the two resorts is linked to provide an excellent ski area at the foot of the Galibier Pass.Valloire: Bar Centrale is lively and popular. Dance the night away at the L'Odysée nightclub or the Village Discothêque.
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Set amongst the spectacular scenery of the Maurienne Valley, Valmeinier represent excellent value for money with a friendly, French atmosphere. The small purpose built resort of Valmeinier offers spectacular views over the surrounding mountains. Neighbouring Valloire, built around a seventeenth century Baroque style church, is a family orientated resort with an authentic traditional French village feel. The skiing in the two resorts is linked to provide an excellent ski area at the foot of the Galibier Pass. Valmeinier: No Comment for its live music or the lively Le Dannebrog bar. Carry on into the night at the Brasilia nightclub.
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Valmorel is an ideal family resort with a traffic free village centre and doorstep skiing from all areas. The ski area itself is a real intermediates' playground with 152km of wonderfully groomed pistes. Furthermore beginners benefit from the specially reserved beginners' ski area. Although the resort itself is purpose built, the village is designed in a traditional style with pretty wood clad buildings and is made up of several 'hameaux' or hamlets. Friendly, fun-loving resort with lots of atmosphere. • La Cordée, Hôtel du Bourg bar for a cosy drink around an open fire. L'After discothèque, Café De La Gare with occasional dancing on the tables and Jimbo Lolos for tequila slammers.
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Compact Val Thorens is Europe's highest village; set in a huge ski bowl, with runs fanning out in all directions, it enjoys excellent snow conditions throughout the season, making it a fantastic place to learn to ski or board. Ski down the valley to Les Menuires and the wonderful La Masse area and then pop over to nearby Courchevel and Meribel on the massive Three Valleys circuit. This is some of the most amazing skiing in the world.A great resort for après ski. The Frog & Roast Beef (the highest pub in Europe), the Sne Sko and the Ski Rock Café for an excellent après ski atmosphere; Malaysia, for live music, the Underground Disco, the Eclipse bar and the Viking Pub.
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Vars is part of La Forêt Blanche and together with Risoul shares one of the largest ski areas in the Southern French Alps boasting a good snow record and plenty of sunshine.Lively and informal with a number of popular bars to choose from • The Yeti, La Place, La Licorne, Bar Babao, Snowboard Café, Le Cherine and The Morgan nightclub.
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