France - A skiing nation with plenty of superlatives! The Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps, Chamonix has the highest cable car in Europe, and Les Trois Vallées claims to be the largest ski area in the world. Ski France!
Savoie:
The large ski areas of La Plagne, Val Thorens, Tignes and Valmeinier are located in a semi-circle around the Vanoise Massif in the southern Savoie Alps. Although there are still some gaps between the ski areas, they will one day be joined to become the largest winter sports territory in the world.
Isère:
A wintersports region can hardly be more varying. This one reaches from the marginal mountain ranges of the French Pre-Alps to the Écrins Massif, the majestic high mountain scenery of the Dauphiné.
Maritime Alps:
The Maritime Alps mean sea and high mountains in one breath. It is the distinctive contrast between deep blue sky and snowy winter landscape that creates the special attractiveness of the most southern wintersports area in the French Alps.
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Après-Ski in France is generally somewhat quieter than in Austria. However there generally tend to be bistros and bars in all ski resorts where you can comfortably end a days skiing. Après-Ski centres have developed in some areas, which are well known for ski hut entertainment and great partys. These areas include Val Thorens, Tignes, Les Deux Alpes, Méribel and Courchevel. All the larger ski resorts have sport centres with swimming pools, bowling alleys, tennis and squash courts and often also ice rinks. Additionally, depending on the resort, more adventurous sports such as ice-climbing, snowshoe hikes, paragliding and snowmobiling are available. Good food has always played a massive part in the lives of French people. Therefore you can find a large variety of restaurants in the French ski resorts which offer a range of dishes, from regional favourites to gourmet cuisine. Specialities from the French Alps include cheese fondue, Tartiflette (a hot potato and cheese dish) and Raclette, as well as the Génépi herb liqueur. |
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