France

France is a big country (43^rd largest in terms of area) with big mountains, and a big population (66m), a good many of whom love to ski. The result is a large number of high quality ski resorts. Some are older towns and villages with their own distinctive characters; others are purpose-built and equally distinctive, if (usually) less aesthetically pleasing.

As skiing is big business, investment keeps pace with development, especially in the largest and best known resorts. These are mainly to be found in the northern Alps – such places as Alpe d’Huez, Chatel, Courcheval, Les Arcs, Meribel, Tignes, Val d’Isere, and Valmorel. But there are also ski resorts in the Jura mountains (in the western Alps), Auverge (the Massif Central), the southern Alps, and the Pyrenees.

Travel to most French resorts is relatively easy with good transport links from the UK. French, of course, is the official language in these resorts, but English is widely spoken. As part of the EU, no visas are currently required, while the currency is the Euro.