Four Ski Towns To Visit in the French Alps
There are many places in the world to go to for a relaxing ski vacation, but few places are as beautiful and as easy to get to as the ski towns of the French Alps. There are mountains and runs for people of all ski abilities, even olympians! Three times the French Alps have hosted the Winter Olympics (Chamonix 1924, Grenoble 1968, and Albertville 1992). With airfares in Europe continuing to drop, the French Alps have never been more accessible and affordable. It is also possible to take one of the many train routes into the French Alps if you prefer a more scenic way. If you are planning a trip to the Alps, here are four great towns to consider visiting:
1. Chamonix
In 1924, Chamonix hosted the World’s first winter olympics, and it hasn’t looked back since. Arguably the most popular of the French Alps resorts, Chamonix features both beginner runs as well as some of the world’s most advanced and adrenaline-pumping runs. When you aren’t sking, there is also plenty to do and see, including a wonderful view of one of Europe’s largest glaciers, Mer de Glace. The resort even has a hop-on, hop-off bus that makes it extremely easy to get around.
2. La Plagne
La Plagne is one of the largest ski areas and is actually made up of 11 different villages in the Savoie French Alps. The resort has over 140 miles of ski slopes and two cable cars, including the Vanoise Express, one of the fastest cable cars in the world! The vertical drop of 6,500 feet is twice that of Aspen’s, and the highest lift on Bellecete Glacier is over two miles long. There are few hotels in the villages, and the best option for lodging is staying in one an apartment or chalet, like the ski chalets in la Plagne 1800.
3. Meribel
Part of the Les Trois Vallées ski area, Meribel is a wonderful city that can be explored on foot. It is also good for people who want to do more than just ski. It is connected by cable car to Brides les Bains, a resort town known for its amazing thermal spas. Meribel is also only about a 30 minute drive from the Olympic City in Albertville, home of the 1992 Olympics.
4. Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes is the ski area to go to for those who like to party as hard as they like to ski. The resort features ski runs for all levels of expertise and one of the world’s best terrain parks. There is no shortage of activities to do in Les Deux Alpes, with everything from bowling, to paragliding, to snowmobiling, and even an ice grotto.
5. Courchevel
Frances most luxurious ski resort. It is a part of Les Trois Vallées, the largest interlinking ski areas in the world! Courchevel is split into several towns: Courchevel 1300, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650, and Courchevel 1850, which are named for their altitudes in metres. 85% of this resorts pistes are above 1800 meters making for great snow. There is 600 km of slopes, more than 180 green-blue slopes and more than 140 red-black slopes. When looking for a luxury catered ski chalet accommodation in any French ski resort, in particular Courchevel 1850, we advice booking with a great holiday maker, Tempston Luxury.
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