THE GUIDE WINTER BREAKS 2017/18


ENLIGHTEN your winter sports holiday


There are myriad ways of enjoying the snow and swooshing down the runs


Chamossière, with off-piste sections and unstructured free-ride descents.


www.arc1950.com BEAUTIFUL


CHALETS FANTASTIC VALUE


Catering to a wide range of ages and abilities, it’s hardly surprising that Les Gets is popular with groups. For those in the party less inclined to strap on a pair of skis, there’s snowshoeing and dog-sledding. And when it’s time to rest, why not wander through the village? A mechanical music museum, cinema and Notre Dame de la Nativité church are just some of the many delights you can expect from this quaint settlement in the mountains. Open November 25 – April 15 en.lesgets.com


Les Arcs (Alps) Why Les Gets? Four times, award winning for ‘best family ski


resort in the world’. Part of Portes du Soleil with 650km Piste - something for everyone.


Your holiday your way!


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144 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Oct/Nov 2017 FT164.WINTER BREAK GUIDE.indd 144 08/09/2017 13:56


Les Arcs belongs to the Paradiski area in the Tarentaise Valley. It’s made up of four modern villages: Arcs 1600 and 1800, which sit on the treeline overlooking the commune of Bourg-Saint- Maurice; and 2000 and 1950, a hub for free-riding and a fi ve-star resort, respectively.


If you’re looking at Les Arcs for a vacation, expect a variety of on- and off-piste slopes, superb woodland runs, car-free villages and a cable car link to neighbouring La Plagne. Making the resort even more accessible, the funicular was introduced just this year and transports passengers from the train station at Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs in seven minutes. Open December 16 – April 28 en.lesarcs.com


Grand Tourmalet (Pyrénées) The Pyrénées are often eclipsed by their Alpine cousins, but while they lack the former’s glitz and crowds, there’s solid skiing to be experienced here. The largest and best-known resort is Grand Tourmalet, where a total of 68 slopes stretch for more than 100km and peaks reach a lofty 2,500m.


There are two areas to enjoy, offering different atmospheres: the charming, authentic village of Barèges; and the purpose- built La Mongie at the foot of the slopes. Worth visiting especially is the Pic du Midi mountain, famous for its landmark observatory and whose summit provides thrilling descents for brave skiers. Open November 2 – April 8 www.grand-tourmalet.com


Cauterets (Pyrénées) Cauterets is fi rst and foremost a ski resort based in the Hautes- Pyrénées, Occitanie. It’s split into two identities: Cirque du Lys, dedicated to skiing and snowboarding; and Pont d’Espagne, a spot for


snowshoeing, sledding and cross- country skiing tucked well into the heart of the Pyrénées National Park.


The town is also very famous for its well-reputed spa, which offers rheumatology, respiratory and hydrotherapy treatments. While it may not share the status of Courchevel in the Alps, Cauterets has seen its fair share of high-profi le visitors over the


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