the highest resort in the alps, Val thorens is set at 2300m at one end of the trois Vallées, which has 600km of pistes and is the largest ski area in the world. the local slopes go up to over 3000m, many are north-facing, and there is plenty of snowmaking. all this makes Val thorens an ideal base for a late-season trip as you’re pretty much certain to get
good snow. in fact the resort offers a snow guarantee that at least 70 per cent of the local area’s lifts will be open, with free days on a future visit if this isn’t met. to clock up the miles, explore the rest of the trois Vallées too, which is ideal for long-distance intermediate cruising – les menuires and the méribel valley can be accessed direct from
Val thorens’ lifts and the Courchevel valley is an easy day trip away via méribel-mottaret. Other attractions // Great modern lift system. // Convenient and gentle beginner slopes. // Compact purpose-built resort. // high standard of accommodation. // Good range of restaurants.
Indulgent lunches Zermatt switzerland
the mountain restaurants here are the best in the world. many of the 53 listed on Zermatt’s website are atmospheric old huts with terraces that have fabulous views of the surrounding mountains, which include the famous matterhorn. the food in most of them is fabulous too, ranging from simple rösti to delicious lamb and seafood. in march or april you have the best chance of warm sunshine in which to relax and enjoy a long lunch while admiring stunning views. Zermatt also has lots of snowmaking and loads of slopes above 2500m so you won’t have to worry about a lack of snow. Other attractions // extensive slopes in four varied, linked areas.
// linked to Cervinia in italy, which also has high snowsure slopes.
// spectacular high-mountain scenery. // Village is charming and car free, and is reached by a quaint cog railway.
// smart shops. // nightlife to suit most tastes.
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Families Lech austria
set 200m above lech and reached by cable car, traffic-free oberlech has many smart four-star hotels which make an ideal family base – if you can afford the prices. it offers ski-in/ski-out convenience, with the main nursery slopes right by the hotels, and easy greens to progress to. a kindergarten in oberlech takes children from the age of two years and the Goldener Berg hotel has its own kindergarten. lech has an excellent snow record, getting an average of almost 8m of snow a season, almost twice as much as nearby st anton, which is also covered by
the lift pass. Combine that with excellent snowmaking and grooming and you can see why the slopes usually have good snow coverage until late april. Other attractions // lech is a picturesque traditional village. // large local area of intermediate slopes. // Varied off piste. // easy bus access to st anton and other resorts covered by the lift pass.
// lots of heated chairlifts. // lively après with cable car between lech and oberlech running till 1am.