Get the most out of your ski trip to France

France continues to be far and away the most popular holiday destination with skiers from the UK. This is understandable because the skiing that France has to offer is some of the best in the world and, for those with plenty of experience, some of the most extreme.

Resorts
French ski areas are certainly some of the largest. Many resorts are lift linked to others and there are more than 100 good sized areas for ski holidays with enough altitude to pretty much guarantee skiing conditions all year round. France can also offer some of Europe's finest glacier skiing.
Les Trois Vallees, or the Three Valleys, is an excellent example. Comprised of the resorts of Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Courchevel and Meribel, this region boasts a colossal 600km of pistes. French ski resorts really vary in style quite considerably. There are big purpose-built resorts with very modern minimalist architecture such as Flaine, and you really can't beat these for the convenience factor, but those who prefer something a little more traditional can find picturesque old farming villages such as Chatel, Megeve or the historic monument region of Samoens where you can enjoy stunning views of Mont Blanc.
Chamonix is one of the true Alpine centres, offering fabulous scenery and some challenging terrain, including the Vallee Blanche at 3,800 metres and reached by a truly magical cable car ride. Here can be found challenges for extreme skiiers but also plenty of opportunities for intermediates and beginners.
As with the villages, the lift systems around the resorts vary considerably. You might find charmingly antiquated single chairs or state-of-the-art high-speed six-seaters and modern high-tech cable cars.

Accommodation
Ski chalets in France are a fun, cosy and reasonably priced places to stay while you enjoy holidays on the slopes. Often commanding magnificent views, these are the best way to get in touch with the true ambience of the mountains. To gaze out at snow-capped mountains, glacier-carved valleys and pure Alpine glacial lakes reflecting the deep blue of the sky from the balcony of a ski chalet makes you feel glad to be alive.

Don't forget the apres- ski
When it comes to apres ski, French ski resorts offer some fine quality bars, while mountain village restaurants provide world-class cuisine and wines at prices suitable for all budgets. Some resorts are naturally quieter and more family ski holiday oriented, but most have plenty of entertaining nightlife to offer. Indeed, some boast clubs with top DJ entertainment that runs into the small hours - just the way to unwind after a hectic day on the slopes.

Author Bio ~ Kerry Hudson is a winter sports enthusiast who has long enjoyed trips to Europe and beyond; the words ski chalets, France, Italy, pistes, snowboarding and après-ski all fill her with delight and she loves the social aspect of the sports as well. When Kerry is out on the slopes with the wind in her hair, she feels like anything is possible, and she thrives on that adrenaline rush.