THE GUIDE WINTER BREAKS 2018/19


WINTER BREAKS 2017/18 THE GUIDE


WE DON’T ACCEPT EVERYBODY, WE WELCOME EVERYONE With an area that offers everyone heart’s desire


France is home to some of the world’s most thrilling peaks and pistes, and offers the best variety of resorts anywhere


zones marked out for the more Bambi-legged among us, while 19 green and 35 blue runs ease learners into the descent. For those in the intermediate camp, there are 34 red runs to tackle, and eight black for experts, all of which are groomed to perfection every night. As for getting around, the resort is served by no fewer than 58 lifts to give joints a chance to thaw. Courchevel has also earned a reputation as a luxury retreat for shoppers, gourmands and folk looking for pulsing après-ski bars and eateries. Open December 8, 2018 – April 22, 2019 www.courchevel.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 68 slopes stretch for more than


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100km and peaks reach a lofty 2,500m. There are two areas to enjoy: 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 truly thrilling descents. Check website for dates www.grand-tourmalet.com


Les Arcs (Alps)


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 five-star resort, respectively. Expect a variety of on- and off-piste slopes, superb woodland runs and a cable car to neighbouring La Plagne. Making the resort even more accessible, the funicular was introduced last


year, taking passengers from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs in seven minutes. Open December 15, 2018 – April 27, 2019 en.lesarcs.com


Val d’Isère (Alps)


Sitting near the Italian border, Val d’Isère puts the Espace Killy area on the map. An excellent lift system travels up to a number of dizzying heights, including the


Face de Bellevarde, a steep black run with an altitude of 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 Folie Douce, found at La Daille gondola’s crest. Open from November 24, 2018 www.valdisere.com


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Genève Aéroport is the natural gateway to the Alps. With the largest ski area in the world and more than 200 ski resorts in less than a 3-hour drive, all are welcome.


For a different perspective, hop aboard the bright red Montenvers train in Chamonix gva.ch/b2b REACH NEW HEIGHTS Oct/Nov 2017 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 151


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