THE GUIDE WINTER BREAKS 2017/18


Val Thorens has recently seen major improvements to its transport system


Espace Killy territory, lies on an attractive plateau headed by the Grande Motte glacier. It’s known for its year-round access and alternative skiing culture, having attracted freestylers, snowboarders and the like ever since it served as the freestyle skiing venue in the 1992 Winter Olympics, which was hosted by nearby Albertville. Val d’Isère open November 25 – May 1 Tignes open September 30 – May 6 www.valdisere.com en.tignes.net


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Val Thorens (Alps) Val Thorens is the highest- altitude resort in Europe and the highest point in the 3 Vallées ski area. This winter is the time to visit, as it has recently undergone an uplifting transformation with funds poured into the improvement of its transport. SETAM, the resident ski lift company, has invested €14 million into converting the Moraine chair lift into a swanky gondola, with 10-seater cabins and heating to thaw off. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, a fourth blue run for beginners has also been added to the Plein Sud sector, which extends to the top of the resort via a scenic balcony route presiding over the village. Between the enhanced comfort and fresh run, there’s plenty of reason to drop by Val Thorens this winter. Open November 18 – May 8 www.valthorens.com


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Serre Chevalier (Alps) Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon, with its fabulous climate and clean environment, is a prime area for fun in the snow. The valley includes the communes and hamlets of Le Monêtier-les- Bains, Villeneuve, La Salle-les- Alpes, Chantemerle, Saint- Chaffrey, and the town of Briançon, whose fortifi cations have been classifi ed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as must-see cultural attractions, the area is renowned for its huge ski domain, which covers 410 hectares with 81 marked trails between 1,200 and 2,800 metres in altitude. A variety of landscapes invites you to breathe in the crisp air, enjoy the numerous pistes and wind through the pine-scented larch forests. Easily reached from London via Turin airport (a 1.5 hour fl ight) this is the perfect entry point into a perfectly blissful Alpine break. Open December 16 – April 22 www.serre-chevalier.com


Les Gets (Alps)


Sitting in the bowl of a snowy valley in Haute-Savoie, the village of Les Gets offers ample skiing opportunity for families. There’s a Snow Garden for 3 to 5-year-olds to experience their fi rst glides on the white stuff, a safe space for beginners in the enclosed Mappy’s Area, and easygoing green and blue runs higher up the mountain. Seasoned skiers, meanwhile, can turn to the steeper slopes of the


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