GVA

Chamonix

A Sophisticated Ski Holiday: Chamonix for Culture Vultures

One of the oldest ski resorts in France, Chamonix is up there with skiing’s most cherished destinations. After all, there are few testing grounds more iconic than the slopes of Mont Blanc, high above anywhere in Western Europe. Chamonix has fantastic ski schools which offer classes for adults looking to tighten up rusty technique or learn new skills for more challenging slopes. These classes can be taken as part of a group or privately, focused on skiing, snowboarding or specific areas such as off-piste tuition. Whichever aspect of your skiing you are looking to improve, Chamonix has a class for

Ski with the Stars in Courchevel 1850: A 24-Hour Guide

Courchevel 1850 is the highest resort of the Courchevel ski area. With beautiful snow-covered pistes extending across three valleys in the French Alps, it boasts over 60 ski-lifts and 150 kilometres of pistes. It is set in an iconic landscape amidst gorgeous pine trees and beautiful scenery. Honestly, the view from the top of the mountain range is truly spectacular. While most people visit Courchevel 1850 for its extensive ski runs, it also boasts an array of up-market bars, fine-dining restaurants and stylish one-off boutiques which attract designer-clad visitors from across the globe. If you are only in Courchevel 1850

Choose Les Carroz for Your Next Family Ski Break

The Savoyard ski resort of Les Carroz has attracted skiers for years on account of its superb facilities and setting in a pretty, traditional French village. It’s a short drive away from Geneva Airport, so there’s no long slog ahead to dampen the excitement after you’ve landed. Despite its popularity, Les Carroz never feels too busy even in peak season. And it’s this laid-back feel, amongst many other things, that makes Les Carroz our go-to recommendation for adventurous parents with equally outgoing children. Great Skiing Opportunities for All Ages Les Carroz is well-regarded by those in the know for its

Geneva

24 Hours in Montreux

Montreux is a quaint town snuggled between Lake Geneva’s shores and the snow-covered Swiss Alps. Famous for its brilliant Jazz Festival, it attracts over 200,000 visitors in the first two weeks of July alone. For the rest of the year, it’s much less crowded, but there’s still plenty to do on a 24-hour trip. Day One Morning: Cereal, Coffee and Charming Castles To make the most of your trip, you’ll need plenty of energy. To start your day right, enjoy a traditional Swiss breakfast of fresh bread with butter and marmalade or crunchy cereal and yoghurt. There is an array

Annecy

Style and Sophistication in Annecy

Annecy is a charming Alpine village in France. Nothing beats strolling through its beautiful old town. You can admire the gorgeous canals lined with colourful flowers and the stunningly designed bridges, which add to its archaic charm. Known as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, it is also Haute-Savoie’s city of art, offering travellers a delightful range of cultural attractions, such as local museums, medieval castles and Gothic churches.

Your Guide to the Perfect Morzine Mini Break

Not everyone has time for a week-long holiday in the Alps. If you are going through a busy period at work, have young children, or often both, a long weekend on the slopes is the perfect antidote and a great chance to recharge those batteries. The weekend is a great time to ski as other tourists often transfer to and from their holidays on Saturday, leaving quieter, more open pistes to enjoy.

Flaine

Roll Up! Roll Up! Flaine’s Exciting Winter Entertainment

The ski resort of Flaine, part of the Grand Massif ski area in France’s famous Haute-Savoie region, is the perfect place for a family ski holiday, not least because it really knows how to entertain young visitors. Created as a purpose-built resort in the 1960s, Flaine has become hugely popular with families, thanks to its compact, car-free centre and excellent skiing opportunities for all ages. Whether you and your children are beginners or old hands who want to try out some of the 265km of runs in the Grand Massif ski area, there is something for all ability levels here.

Avoriaz

All About Avoriaz: A Paradise for R&R

Located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz is a charming winter holiday destination in the French Alps. Now, while it may be a renowned ski resort, this picturesque snow-covered wonderland offers visitors so much more than just slopes to glide down. From soothing wellness centres and heated swimming pools to horse-drawn sleigh rides and Michelin-acclaimed restaurants, this mountain village boasts an array of non-skiing activities that are perfect for a relaxing winter break. Get Pampered at the Deep Nature Spa Located in the La Falaise district of Avoriaz, you will find this luxury spa in the Amara

Great Budget Ski Resorts – Morillon 1100

Ski holidays are perfect for adventure-seeking families, but they can also cost a pretty penny. This does not have to be the case, however, and I think that Morillon 1100 is a great choice for families seeking a quality ski break that won’t cost the earth. This charming Savoyard village in the Grand Massif region has everything that you need for a memorable family holiday, including a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, superb skiing, good food and plenty more. Read up on the Grand Massif region here! Skiing Options Located in the world-famous Grand Massif and Praz de Lys, you have

Argentière

Up There and Out There: Argentière for Advanced Thrillseekers

Argentière might not seem up to much, huddling below a mighty glacier. But this French ski resort is really hallowed turf. It’s a few miles north of Chamonix, boasts a daunting array of plus-2500m pistes and has a reputation for being the playground of expert skiers. If you’re a beginner, then Argentière’s slopes are probably not places to tread lightly, but any extreme sports fans or powder hounds with a penchant for black pistes should read on… Skiing and Snowboarding The Grand Montets sector of the resort has ample opportunities for dedicated skiers to hone their skills and challenge themselves

Fine Dining at Your Fingertips in Tignes

Nestled between the French and Italian border, Tignes is a picturesque collection of five villages in the Alps: Tignes les Brévières, Tignes le Lac, Tignes les Boisses, Val Claret and Le Lavachet. In conjunction with Val-d’Isère, it forms part of the famous Espace Killy ski region and caters to all skiing abilities. As a lesser known area, Tignes tends not to attract large groups of rowdy teens, but instead caters to a more refined demographic. The collection of villages boasts charming little boutiques and cafés, but its biggest selling point is its wide range of fine-dining restaurants. La Table en

Chilly, Crazy, Cool: Hair-Raising Family Fun in Les Contamines

Picking the right ski resort for a fun family ski holiday can be tricky. Ideally, it will be somewhere that caters to families, has a friendly atmosphere and plenty of facilities and activities so that you can all have a fun-filled trip and create many happy memories together. My recommendation? The Les Contamines ski area at the base of Mont Blanc. Les Contamines is a family-friendly place where you will find a real sense of community in the charming village (which dates back to 1758!). This means that it is a great place for a leisurely stroll with kids –

Frosty Family Fun in Val Thorens

There are so many reasons to choose Val Thorens for a family ski holiday that it’s hardly surprising that the resort is so popular with French and English skiers alike. When I decided to visit, the choice was driven by a slightly obsessive hankering for the very best snow. After all, Val Thorens is the highest resort not just in France, but in the whole of Europe, with guaranteed snow from November through to May. What’s more, I was pleasantly surprised by all of the other things that the resort has to offer. Here’s my guide to this snowy spot!