Boasting world-class facilities and opulent surroundings, what’s not to love about a ski holiday in the French Alps? Better yet, it’s located just a stone’s throw away for most British holidaymakers.

Here are the top reasons why the French Alps is the perfect holiday destination for your next ski holiday:

Accommodation

Whatever your budget, whatever your lifestyle, the French Alps can accommodate you. There is a range of affordable and fun hostel accommodation available, perfect for large groups or anyone on a tight budget.

Bed and Breakfast and hotel accommodation is also on offer for couples in search of romantic ski getaway. While for anyone on the lookout for some authentic French luxury, the Alps chalets are some of the finest in the world.

Ski facilities

For world-class facilities you need look no further than the French Alps, which boasts some of the best ski runs in the world. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced skier, you’re sure to find just the right mix of adventure, learning and fun for an excellent time on the slopes.

The French alps also boasts some of the best ski instructors, meaning the kids can get the best education to guarantee an enjoyable, yet safe skiing experience. The resorts in the Alps also come equipped with first rate equipment hire and affordable lift passes.

Choice

There are such a wide variety of options to choose from when selecting your next French Alps getaway. Some of the most popular destinations at the moment include Val d’Isere, Les Deux Alpes Meribel, Les Arcs, Val Thorens, Tignes, Courchevel, La Plagne, Alpe d’Huez, and Chamonix.

With such a wide variety of destinations on offer, and such fierce competition between resorts, travellers can be guaranteed a holiday and a budget that suits them perfectly.

Location

UK residents looking for a holiday can’t beat the French Alps, as it’s located practically on their doorstep.

The incredible scenery and world-class facilities might seem a world away from the office in London, but it’s little over a few hours journey, by train, bus, plane or car.

This makes it the perfect getaway for a long weekend break or an easy and fun school holiday activity.

Relaxation

After a long day on the slopes, you want to come back to a relaxing and peaceful surrounding. What better way to unwind then to sample the world-class wines, feast on the local delicacies and relax in front of an open fire?

These experiences are just some of the incredible experiences on offer with a French Alps holiday and offer a completely unique experience when compared to the typical city based breaks offered by the country’s capital.

Much Better Adventures is a specialist adventure travel website putting adventure seekers in direct contact with recommended local and independent providers. We have over 100 ski/board holidays on the site, and over 200 accommodations, from all over the world. Check out our ski chalets page, and start exploring from there!

Les Arcs/La Plagne

Les Arcs is one of the few French resorts directly linked by rail. Jump on the Snow Train, have a chunk of fun on the journey (its legendary!), get off in Bourg St Maurice and get straight on to the funicular, which takes you right in to Arc 1600. From there it’s an easy transfer to Arcs 1800, 1950 and 2000, where you can enjoy the hundreds of kilometres of pistes the Paradiski region has to offer. The ski train can also drop you off at Aime-la-Plagne, so it’s easy to get to La Plagne too!

Nevis Range/Cairngorm

This is a great one for the flexible weekend crowd – if there’s good snow (and there has been for the past 2 seasons!), jump on the sleeper train after dinner on Friday, hit Fort William and get yourself to the Nevis Range first thing on Saturday morning for some of the best skiing the UK has to offer. For the more adventurous, head to the Cairngorms for some fantastic Ski Touring.

Zermatt

The whole Valais valley has great train links from major cities in Switzerland, and the resorts there are awesome. Try Zermatt for great skiing and stunning scenery – can you beat skiing under the Matterhorn?! To get there, take the Eurostar to Bern, and then jump on the train to Zermatt. If you fancy more trains, then not only is there the stunning Nicolaital Valley to pass through, but also the world famous Glacier Express, linking Zermatt to St. Moritz/Davos too!

Morzine

Ok, so getting direct to Morzine isn’t possible, but we can’t leave out one of the biggest resort areas in the Alps from this list! With pistes to match any skier’s level, the Portes du Soleil is an area everyone should visit at some point… There are a range of great shared-transfer companies operating from Geneva airport, which handily is convenient for the train too… So get on the Eurostar and come to Morzine!

Meribel

With only 1 train change in Paris (which you can always make the most of!) and a wee bus journey at the end, Meribel is a high class resort which it possible to get to without resorting to a tin can in the sky… It’s not far from Les Arcs, but has a totally different vibe. Loads of lovely chalets there too, making it a picture perfect resort!

Short Transfers

Many people already know that finding ski resorts near Geneva airport opens a world of great destinations including the French resorts of La Clusaz, Chamonix, Avoriaz and Morzine, the Swiss resorts of Leysin, Verbier and Nendaz and the Italian resort of La Thuile, a mere 85 miles from the airport. However, it’s not just Geneva airport that can be a god send, have you thought about Innsbruck, Chambéry, Salzburg or even Sion airports? Why not check out all our ski airports across Europe and further afield to open up your options.

Ski Weekends

Another advantage of being close to the airport is the chance to go for ski weekends! A firm favourite for this is both Geneva airport as there’s a few great resorts on hand. However, ski resorts near Chambéry airport open up the Three Valleys resorts of La Tania, Courchevel and Meribel, making this ideal if you are able to fly there.

Other firm favourites for the ski weekend include Avoriaz and Morzine for boarders and Chamonix of course with something for almost everyone if you know where to be based.

Family Ski Holidays

We all know there’s nothing worse than screaming children in the back of the car! So what do all parents in the know do, they look for the ski resorts that are close to key airport hubs like Geneva or Chambery! That way the effect on the children is kept to a minimum when you’ve all had a long day.

Our recommendations are finding the ski resorts near Geneva airport if that is open to you. This includes Avoriaz, Flaine and Argentiere. Failing that, why not try and find ski resorts close to Chambéry which include the Three Valleys.

Summary

If you’re looking for the best places to go this winter and don’t mind a slightly longer transfer, then you’re likely to find a few more ski deals or at least more availability! For weekends, or family friendly ski resorts, there’s a large number of them located close to airports, ensuring if your flight arrives by lunch you can be on the slopes later that afternoon! Why not check out all our ski resort guides by heading to GoSki.co.uk now.

There are other ways to explore a snow covered landscape and still have incredible fun and feel a rush of adrenaline! Snowshoeing and cross country skiing take the winter sports lover further afield, typically across flat or less undulating terrain which is something most skiers and snowboarders hastily avoid.

Cross-country, also known as Nordic or XC skiing, may seem less appealing than the adrenaline fuelled rush of speeding down a steep hill, but the benefits of getting away from the busy trails are many. The peace and tranquility of pure, uncluttered snow-scenes, coupled with the exhilaration of gliding among snowcapped trees lining glistening paths with only yourselves for company – at a speed that allows you more than a fleeting glimpse of the natural beauty around you – is an awesome experience.

Snowshoeing allows even more freedom to explore. And the great thing about discovering a winter wonderland in this way is that it’s suitable for people of all ages and all skill levels, meaning that the whole family can enjoy the experience. Or if you want to make it just the two of you – add a touch of romance and round off the day with a blazing fire and a candlelit dinner for two.

A snowshoe hike or cross-country trek is an ideal alternative to the slopes, allowing you to enjoy snow without the cost of a full mountain pass or the trouble of ski lifts, lines and crowded slopes.

The snow lovers’ version of the romantic wander in the countryside, and a great, low impact way to get fit, these alternative snow sports open up the winter holiday options, and experience gifts such as guided snowshoe tours mean you spend more hours on the snow without the need for hours on the nursery slopes.

Clothing

You don’t have to join the fashionistas of Aspen when you queue up for the ski lift. But a good ski jacket, boots, goggles and gloves are fairly standard clothing items that you should remember to pack unless you are planning for hypothermia or ski blindness. There’s a whole world of shops, websites and labels dedicated to ski clothing and accessories and it just comes down to your fashion sense and budget when you kit yourself out for the slopes.

Ski Pass

Sometimes this will be included in your holiday but often you have to buy your ski pass separately. Don’t forget to include it in your holiday budget – ski passes often don’t come cheap.

Boot and Ski Hire

This is another thing that people often leave off their list. If you’re planning to hit the slopes every year, you might consider investing in your own boots and skis. However, if you’re a first-timer then you’re far better off hiring boots and skis until you know if you’ve caught the skiing bug.

Travel Insurance

If you’re a regular skier, you probably have dedicated travel insurance in place. However, a lot of regular policies don’t include winter sports so make sure you check when you buy your holiday insurance. It might be worth looking at a specialist company for your winter ski travel insurance as you’ll get some peace of mind about medical cover and repatriation.

On arrival into Geneva we caught the train up to the town of Visp and from there took the connection to Zermatt. The train journey up to the resort is beautiful and in itself, offers a unique transfer option and fantastic start to a ski holiday in Zermatt. The train station within the resort is situated just off the pedestrianised high street, guaranteeing an impressive arrival as you step off the train into this chocolate-box, winter wonderland.

On the first morning, we took a trip on Europe’s highest-altitude cable car up to the Matterhorn glacier which sits at 3883m. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to sample the summer skiing but from the top of the cable car we were able to gain an insight of what the skiing in Zermatt is like, with views across this incredible ski terrain and over to the breath-taking silhouette of the Matterhorn.

In the afternoon we arranged to visit some of Zermatt’s finest hotels, from the lavish and opulent Mont Cervin Palace to the futuristic, minimalistic Matterhorn Focus. There are hundreds of spectacular hotels in the resort but the Hotel Omnia is particularly outstanding. Built into the rock side, The Omnia is situated in a commanding position with spectacular views from its dramatic vantage point above the roof tops of Zermatt. The interior is as imposing as the exterior, offering state of the art design which includes the hotel’s most unique feature: ‘the Cavern’. This is a multifunctional area made entirely of glass, which has been built into the side of the mountain and appears to ‘float’ over a pool of water.

After our trip up the glacier and various tours of Zermatt’s premium properties, we spent the evening strolling around the picture post-card village centre and sampling the reputable nightlife of Zermatt. As a year round resort, the streets are never empty and so even in the summer months the bars are lively, the restaurants are full and there is a general buzz around town.

On the first night of the trip we ate at the Pizza and Spaghetti Factory. Although the name is not particularly inviting, this is an impressive restaurant designed over three levels, within the contemporary Post Hotel (which incidentally seems to be the most popular night-spot of the resort with its 4 restaurants and 5 bars and clubs). On the second night we sampled a more traditional restaurant, the Café du Pont which offers delicious Swiss cuisine at great value. With regards to dining in Zermatt, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets, from Michelin starred restaurants to laid back pizzerias. The same can also be said for the dining options on the slopes, as Zermatt holds the reputation of having some of the finest mountain restaurants in the world!

There was only one thing left to do before our departure! After Pascal at the tourist office advised us that the Zermatt experience is only truly complete once you have danced on the barrel in the Broken Bar or taken a trip on the Gornegrat Railway, we opted for the latter and embarked on a breath-taking ascent up the mountain. This historic railway is not only an iconic part of Zermatt’s heritage, it also serves an important function during the winter months and acts as one of three main ski lifts transporting skiers from the resort centre up onto the mountain. The 30 minute journey takes you through idyllic forests, across viaducts and over beautiful mountain scenery, terminating at 3100m on a sunny platform with impressive views of the glacier and the Matterhorn.

With it’s historic village centre oozing with alpine charm, the finest Swiss restaurants, a lively night-life, breath-taking scenery and a fantastic ski area, it is clear what makes Zermatt one of the most renowned ski resorts in the world.

This is a guest post written by Amy Askew an avid blog writer and intrepid traveller to ski resorts and ski chalets around the world!

Simply Piste, online Ski Wear Retailer have decided to put together a list of what they think are the Top 10 Ski gadgets of recent time, some reasonably priced and some high priced.

10). E-gloves

Not the newest gadget to hit the market. However e-gloves are a genius and practical piece of Kit. They’re invention cuts out the problem of answering phone calls whilst out on the slopes. This removed fuss allows the experience to become more comfortable, convenient and reduces the risk of dropping your device. They work on an array of touch screen devices, so if you’re lucky enough to have an ipod touch, ipad or a touch screen phone, e-gloves are worth considering when you need a new set of ski gloves. The North Face offer a good range of e-gloves, however if price is a factor, you may be willing to give F3 ski a go.

9). Giro Link audio drops

Powered by skull candy, Giro’s link audio drops are applied throughout the Giro ski and snowboarding audio range. They feature 40mm speakers that produce a crisp and clear treble with a deep and pokey bass. The system is easy to use, their speakers drop into the latest designed Giro ear pads, which be integrated into your helmet. The latest 2011 range can feature a Bluetooth link up, allowing you to answer your phone wirelessly.  If you have the pleasure of owning a Giro Helmet, please make sure it’s audio compatible before purchasing link audio drops.

8). Avalanche Scanner – Ortovox S1

This avalanche scanner was a revolutionary piece of kit when it was released a couple of years ago. Valued at around £300, the scanner can prove to be a life saver, quite literally.  Geared more closely towards backcountry skiers and mountaineers, the scanner once opened gives an immediate overview of the situation, so you know how many victims as well as the whereabouts of those victims.

The unit uses the worldwide standard emergency radio signal for up to 4 people without confusing signal interference. The navigator uses a directional arrow and displays distance allowing you to bear down on the victim. Once within 3 meters of a victim, you are confronted with a homing beacon, allowing you to narrow your search as closely as possible. These scanners also act as transponders when closed, so they’re ideal for all individuals to carry within a group.

7). Kestral 3500 Pocket weather Meter

Aimed at the more serious pros and tech junkies, this bit of kit provides you with a wealth of up to date information at the tips of your fingers.  Similar to the avalanche scanner, this unit is more aimed towards the backcountry, guides, mountaineering market.

Priced at around £220 the kits accuracy resonates through with specific information on Barometric pressure, pressure trend, altitude, heat stress index, Dewpoint, average wind speed, current wind speed and many more. Feel free to check out kestrel weathers website for full details.

6). Ski Mojo

Ski Mojo is another product that’s been around for a couple of years. I’m still not entirely convinced at how well these have actually taken off. From a practical point of view they make absolute perfect sense and allow you to really get the best out of your trip. The system allows for a 33% reduction in stress on the knees and thighs, allowing you to spend more time out on the slopes without the aches and pains. Valued at around £330, the system can be seen as good value for money and can really help you get the most from your trips.

5). Therm-ic inner sole with lion pack

Stay toasty with this little gadget.  If you have comfort in mind, these things are brilliant. The small lithium battery attached can offer you up to 18 hours of warmth, with many different temperature settings to suit you, with an easy access remote that can hang around your neck. Charging your batteries is quick and easy and can be done in just two hours. Priced at around £250, these units provide you with comfort for hours on end around the slopes.

4). Dry Guy

Continuing the heating theme is the “dry guy”. I think this bit of kit is great. Priced at a very reasonable £50, these allow your trip to become all the more enjoyable and organised. The machine gently dries items placed upon it within an hour whilst also working to eliminate odours. The design allows you to dry up to four garments simultaneously and will not harm any liners or stitching. From experience, I know how long some ski wear can take to air dry. This unit gives you peace of mind and makes the next morning on the slopes that much more comfortable.

3). SatSki App

We arrive at the by far cheapest gadget in the Top 10. The Satski mobile phone application. Priced at just a few pounds, the satski has taken the snow sports market by storm. It offers up to date real time ski navigation with the use of colour trail maps, making it easier to read.  Many Skiers spend a lot of money on GPS. Satski comes integrated with “locate me”, live tracking, and live states such as altitude, speed and distance. You’re also able to view weather reports and an SOS feature that allows you to receive your location co-ordinates.

2). HD summit video camera Goggles

The penultimate gadget, the HD Summit video camera Goggles. For £250, these goggles are the toast of gadgets for ski geeks. Replacing the need for an external camera that attaches to your helmet, these goggles integrate the camera within the goggles, perfect for capturing POV action on the slopes in stunning 720p HD. Capture footage as your see and hear it, the ability to take snap shots and a no-wind noise mic adds to an already boastful spec.

1). Zeal Goggles with Head up Display

These ground breaking goggles were released in 2010, and have been wowing snow sport enthusiasts ever since. Prices in the UK starting at £399, the goggles featured a colour LCD display that is projected in the right side lens, showing real-time stats such as, speed, altitude, temperature and more. Questions have been posed at the designers of this gadget, about the safety issues.

To clarify, the experience is likened to that of driving. The head up display is an estimated perception of 5 metres away and non invasive. Similar to driving and a dash board, you have the choice whether to look down to view your gages as and when you need to or feel is appropriate. The goggles are also USB compatible, and allow you to upload, share and compare stats. Finally a full integration with Google maps allows you to map out your journey on the slopes.

Soldeu – El Tarter

Soldeu – El Tarter is a contemporary, vibrant ski resort. It is a up to date, energetic resort encircled with a panoramic view. It is a popular resort because its ski area is bigger than many resorts, and it offers organized yearly ski competitions. Soldeu- El Tarter was the most active investor in the skiing industry in the Pyrenees during the 1990s. The resort installed a new gondola that seats eight during that time and constructed new hotels. At the same time, the resort implemented a skiing link between this resort and Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa. The two ski areas provided a joint lift ticket called Granvalira for the 2003-2004 ski season. More recent ventures incorporate several new chairs that seat six, which positions the resort among the top five resorts that offer this kind of lift chair.

El Pas de la Casa

El Pas de la Casa, a ski resort that is a division of Grandvalira resort, is located near the border of France. The actual resorts is below the mountain pass very close to France and lower than Pic d’Envalira. The resort began with one ski lift in the 1950s and now has 31 lifts, 100 km of snow-covered slopes for skiing and over 6 km of land that can be skied. The highest point that can be skied is over 2600 km. The resort is well liked for both skiing and snowboarding. The assets of Pas de la Casa are the facts that it is Andorra’s highest ski resort so it has the best record of snow, and it is easily accessible from the airport at Toulouse and Barcelona. The resort is a favorite with travelers from Ireland and Britain plus Spain and France. It is also preferred because it is duty-free and it has a young nightlife.

Vallnord

Vallnord is both a ski and snowboard resort situated in the Pyrenees Mountain, at Tor Pallars near the Spanish border. Vallnord as two ski districts: Ordino-Arcalis and Pal-Arinsal. The resort provides large areas dedicated to all parts of snow sports: snowboarding, skiing, and telemark skiing. It is the first kind of mountain parkland for many ages with over 40,000 m for freestyle skiing. It also has created over 80 runs and 40 plus ski lifts that can handle over 50,000 skiers per hour. Other attractions include cafes, helicopter rides and sleds pulled by dogs.

The bill, known as SB 105, would enforce a fine on parents if their children were found without helmets on whilst participating in snowsports.

The proposed law would also require resorts to warn skiers and boarders of the requirements by posting warning signs and notices by the pistes as well as on their websites and printed trail maps.

“When you have thousands of accidents where there are brain injuries of some sort, nearly half of those injuries could have been prevented if the youngsters wore a helmet.” said Democratic Senator Leland Yee of San Francisco who proposed the bill which was passed by California’s senate last week and now awaits the final approval or rejection by the governor.

New Jersey became the first US state to introduce a similar law requiring children to wear helmets for snowsports earlier this winter. A number of US ski resorts already require their staff working on the slopes and everyone taking ski school classes to wear helmets. Similar laws requiring children to wear helmets when participating in snow sports have been in place in both France and Italy for some years.

The International Academy (www.international-academy.com) is offering guaranteed jobs to gap year students who train as ski instructors with them.

In collaboration with SkiBound, any students who successfully complete a course with the International Academy will be offered employment as either a ski or snowboard instructor in countries across Europe.

“This works particularly well if you have qualified through one of our early season ski or snowboard instructor courses in Val d’Isere, Tignes or Verbier and are looking for some paid work experience. Our link with SkiBound is also useful if you are looking for short term work as a ski or snowboard instructor during your university breaks or holidays. Skiing has a way of letting you discover the mountains whilst having fun in the process.” said Alan Bates, Managing Director of International Academy.

The company contends that although some may think that taking a gap year is an expensive luxury, the reality is that travel doesn’t just broaden the mind, it also broadens employment prospects.

“These days it’s not just about the results but about the beginning of a life-long learning journey. It is apparent in the current economy that employers are looking for some qualifications as well as seeing what students have achieved outside of the academic world. This is a great time to seize the opportunity to gaining a life enhancing experience. It’s time to learn new skills and to achieve personal goals. Millions of fellow enthusiasts share the passion to ski and this is chance to meet new people and learn about them and their amazing experiences by hitting the slopes.” said a company statement.

The cost for studying for an 11 week BASI Level 1 & 2 instructor qualification starts from £8,250 with accommodation at the Hotel le Dome on half board with ski in, ski out position to the vast Espace Killy ski circuit. The course is available from 12 November 2011 – 28 January 2012. Once complete, you’ll have a guaranteed job offer from SkiBound. At the Swiss resort of Verbier, prices start from £7,950 for 11 weeks, staying at the Golf5 apartment.

Flights are not included.