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Mieders, Austria
Description: Mieders is a pretty Austrian village located at the beginning of the Stubai Valley.
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Saalbach, Austria
Description: In a word - Charming. Saalbach is one of Austria's major resort and is combined with a separate village Hinterglemm 4km away. As middle to upmarket places go it combines the charm of an Austian resort with the convenience of a French one with lifts into three sectors of the slopes from the village centre. Prices aren't cheap but it has a justified reputaion as a party town.
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Prapoutel, France
Description: Within the French Alps lies the village Prapoutel, it's part of the Les 7 Laux which includes nearby villages Le Pleynet and Pipay. Prapoutel was a ski resort built in the 1960's by a local politician. It was quite inventive for it's time as it included conservational elements and a high speed lift from the accommodation area. The original plans were drawn up by the designer of Courchevel. The resort is very popular with the thousands of students from nearby Grenoble. It has some fantastic off piste which can be skied out very quickly. As one of the key Isere resorts there has been a lot of investment in new lifts.
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Val Louron, France
Description: Val Louron is a ski resort in the Aure-Louron area of the Haute Pyrenees in France.
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Chamonix Sud, France
Description: Firstly Chamonix is a town rather than a village and as such offers a lot to do besides skiing and snowboarding. As you arrive in the resort you just have to be impressed with the scenery – Mount Blanc towering above you. Chamonix is all go – lots of restaurants, hotels and visitors and a lively Saturday market. There are some beautiful old building in the centre an the cobbled streets and squares are car free so you can wander around at ease. There is some good shopping available stocking everything a winter sports person could require. Chamonix is a wonderful full sized town that is open year round. In winter people from all over the world come to enjoy the Snow. Since the first winter Olympics back in 1924 Chamonix played an important role in the history of the skiing. Chamonix has some of the largest glaciers in Europe. Mont Blanc which rises up majestically is centred on three national borders, France, Switzerland and Italy. There is a project underway to have Mont Blanc listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Getting around the resort is easy with the free bus (use your C'arte D'Hote - Guest Card) which links the centre of town with all the ski resorts. The centre is pedestrianised and you will find Chamonix making a conscious effort to cut their CO2 emmissions. It's even free to travel on the train with your Guest Card between Servoz and Vallorcine. If you aren't given your free Guest Card at your place of accommodation on arrival go to the tourist office for details.
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Bourg Saint Maurice, France
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Le Grand Bornand, France
Description: A quiet pretty village which is very good for Intermediates and close to La Clusaz. A lovely choice for a long weekend with the close proximity of Geneva Airport.
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Peyragudes, France
Description: Situated in the Luchonnais Area of the Haute Garonne department in the Pyrenees, Peyragudes is famous for being depicted in the opening scene of the James Bond movie, Tomorrow Never Dies. Do you remember the arms bazaar close to the Russian border and all that rugged beauty? Well that was the ski station Peyresourde. Peyragudes is in actual fact an almalgamation of the two village names Peyresourde and Les Agudes.
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Bernex, France
Description: Traditional buildings make this a charming mountain village resort, very close to the Swiss Border. It is 60km from Lausanne and more importantly 50km from Geneva. It is part of the Haute Savoie region.
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Morzine, France
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Thollon les Memises, France
Description: Thollon Les Memises is situated in the Haute Savoie with a beautiful view over Lake Geneva. It's cradled on the plateau and is described in the Michelin guide as "The most beautiful observatory of Leman" The resort is very sweet with a village atmosphere and good for families
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Les Aillons, France
Description: This is a pretty little village with limited slopes near to Chambery.
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La Chapelle d'Abondance, France
Description: Just 5km down the valley from Chatel you will find this charming rustic farming community a wonderfully quaint place.
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Les Houches, France
Description: It is just 6km down from Chamonix and is part of the Mount Blanc Unlimited Pass. (You can also just buy a local ski pass) An attractive village with its own church but some of the accommodation is a walk from the lifts.(Be warned)
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Chamonix, France
Description: Firstly Chamonix is a town rather than a village and as such offers a lot to do besides skiing and snowboarding. As you arrive in the resort you just have to be impressed with the scenery – Mount Blanc towering above you. Chamonix is all go – lots of restaurants, hotels and visitors and a lively Saturday market. There are some beautiful old building in the centre an the cobbled streets and squares are car free so you can wander around at ease. There is some good shopping available stocking everything a winter sports person could require. Chamonix is a wonderful full sized town that is open year round. In winter people from all over the world come to enjoy the Snow. Since the first winter Olympics back in 1924 Chamonix played an important role in the history of the skiing. Chamonix has some of the largest glaciers in Europe. Mont Blanc which rises up majestically is centred on three national borders, France, Switzerland and Italy. There is a project underway to have Mont Blanc listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Getting around the resort is easy with the free bus (use your C'arte D'Hote - Guest Card) which links the centre of town with all the ski resorts. The centre is pedestrianised and you will find Chamonix making a conscious effort to cut their CO2 emmissions. It's even free to travel on the train with your Guest Card between Servoz and Vallorcine. If you aren't given your free Guest Card at your place of accommodation on arrival go to the tourist office for details.
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Praz sur Arly, France
Description: Heading from Albertville to Chamonix you will come across Praz Sur Arly, which along with Flumet and Notre Dame de Bellecomb makes up the Domain Val D'Arly. This area is situated in the Mont Blanc area of the Haute-Savoie department, in the Northern Alps. The village is traditional in style
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Bellefontaine, France
Description: Bellefontaine is part of the Haute Jura region and the Rousses ski Domain. It is 6km East of Morbier and is at the foot of the Risoux forest
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Autrans, France
Description: Autrans is 10km north of Lans en Vercors in the heart of the Vercors
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Areches, France
Description: Areches is located in the heart of the Beaufortain massif and only 25 km from Albertville. Against the backdrop of Mont Blanc, Arêches-Beaufort is small village .
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Megeve, France
Description: A high class resort where fur coats go on show. Megeve is a traditional village which has been attracting skiers since the 1920's who come as an alternative to St Moritz. In later years it has been Courcheval that attracts the glitzy money or should that be Russian, but don't discount this resort especially if it snows . A pedestrianised partly medieval centre just adds to the attraction as do the horse drawn sleighs. In a nutshell, rustic chic but will global warming mean the end or just the end to the low lifts. Perhaps not as it is close to Mount Blanc and the lower pastural land doesn't need all that much snow to have a good cover. But who knows, Snowbrainer suggests you go before it is too late .
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Combloux, France
Description: Combloux is only 4 km from glitzy Megeve but is a lot cheaper whilst also looking over the stunning Mont Blanc. Chamonix is a further 30km away. Parking is free and there are 2 large car parks at the base of the station
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St Colomban des Villards, France
Description: Old village next to La Toussuire valley.
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La Clusaz, France
Description: La Clusaz has managed to retain its Gallic charm even as it has got bigger through the years. It has extensive slopes, a friendly feel and is just 50km from Geneva. Yes it does a lot of busines at the weekends due to that proximity.
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Les Rousses, France
Description: Les Rousses is very famous for the Transjurassienne cross country ski race that passes through each year (the longest cross x race). It is probably not surprising then that one of the last cross country skis manufacturers is still based here. It is also on the border with Switzerland and across from Dole.
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Les Carroz, France
Description: Les Carroz is an outlying village in the Flaine area. It is a tradional family resort set around the village square with its restaurants, shops and cafes.
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Notre Dame de Bellecombe, France
Description: It is located in the middle of the Val D'Arly above Flumet between Mont Blanc, Beaufortain and Aravis and is a traditional Savoyard village . Notre Dame is also the hightest point in the Espace Diamant, whist being a beautiful place to stay and only 13km from Megeve. There is also a free bus to/from Crest Voland.
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Super Lioran, France
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Les Contamines Montjoie, France
Description: An authentic French village located between Chamonix and Megeve, and it doesn't have the prices to match it's brothers. It is a resort where a car could prove useful as much of the accommodation is along the valley and away from the main lift. One fame to claim is that it constantly seems to get above average snowfall. Les Contamines-Montjoie is an authentic village resort in Haute-Savoie. The village is attractive with lots of traditional architecture. There are a number of activities offered besides the downhill skiing. A Nordic park of 26km for cross country skiing. There is also a natural ice rink, dog sled rides and snow shoe walks.
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La Feclaz, France
Description: This is a popular resort for cross county skiing. La Feclaz is a small resort in the Parc des Bauges, Savoie in the Northern Alps. The resort is only 20 minutes away from Chambery.
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Les Gets, France
Description: Les Gets is a quaint but expanding village close to Geneva. It is a little scattered around the valley but getting around is helped by the free 'petit train'.Lovely! There is lots to do and has many fine shops and restaurants to choose from. It can be a little quiet at times but definately gets busier come the weekend. The village dates back to the 11th century and its name come from the old French word, 'jets' which was used for the traditional slopes used to bring down the timber from the upland regions. Les Gets is not all about winter sports - there is a lot of traditional architecture and regional cuisine to enjoy. Visit the church whose organ dates back to 1910 or the Museum of Mechanical Music. Your lift pass allows you to ski/board in Abondance, Avoriaz 1800, Champery, Chatel, Le Chappelle d'Abondance, Les Crossets, Morgins & Morzine.
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