WINTER BREAKS 2017/18 THE GUIDE


Clockwise from top left: Montbéliard, Cimalpes, Ski Bonjour, Chalets 1066, Ski 2 Freedom, Thermes de Salins-les-Bains


skiing ability are accommodated, with gentle nursery slopes, fast-cruising pistes and rougher terrain split between the five resorts: Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flégère and Le Brévent. A particular favourite among expert skiers is the backcountry 20km Vallée Blanche glacier run, which starts with a challenging walk down from the Aiguille du Midi to the run’s summit. The less experienced may consider hiring a mountain guide to help them navigate this tricky, yet breathtaking, route.


After a day on the slopes, visitors can look forward to diverse evening entertainment. At the foot of Argentière village, Les Marmottons brasserie serves up live music on a sunny terrace, while the nightlife in Chamonix is shaped by a network of clubs


and bars selling hearty grub, beer and cocktails. Open December – May www.chamonix.com


Val d’Isère/Tignes (Alps) A rival of Courchevel in terms of popularity and prestige, Val


2,827m. This beast is best taken on in the middle of the day, after the ice has melted but before the snow is too churned. Another major draw of Val d’Isère is its famously vibrant social scene, owing to dozens of bars – including the open-air La


“A MAGNET FOR SKIERS AND THE WEALTHY, COURCHEVEL PROMISES A SOPHISTICATED WINTER ESCAPE”


d’Isère sits near the Italian border and is part of the Espace Killy ski area in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie.


An excellent lift system takes skiers up to a number of excitingly dizzy heights, including the Face de Bellevarde, a steep black run with a starting altitude of


Folie Douce, found at La Daille gondola’s crest. It’s the setting for a must-visit après-ski party that pumps for a couple of hours in the afternoon with DJs, lively crowds and a funicular service to help merry party-goers head safely back down the hill. Val d’Isère’s neighbour, Tignes, which also belongs to the ❯❯


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