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France
If you can’t find a destination resort in France to meet all or most of your skiing and boarding requirements then you haven’t looked very hard! Winter sports enthusiasts, celebrities and glamorati from all over the globe flock to France for their Alpine fun. If the fashionable and glitzy resorts are not your thing, then there are plenty of quieter towns that are packed with old world charm and ambience rather than people. If you can’t abide long lift lines it is best to avoid peak times and school holidays.
View from Le Saquet
France has something to suit every type of skier, whether you prefer a fancy hotel, self-catering, a chalet-share with friends, or a basic budget room to grab a few hours of rest between all the skiing and après skiing.
The reliability of snowfall tends to vary with the altitude. For the best snow, and even powder, it is safest to pick one of the high-altitude resorts, although the lower-altitude resorts offer great value and have excellent snow-making facilities.
Geneva International Airport provides the most popular way to access the slopes in France, with most resorts being within a one or two hour transfer. A wide selection of carriers fly into Geneva, including some of the budget airlines. The Eurostar train from London is a good way for those who prefer not to fly and the Channel Tunnel provides a fast road link if you plan to pack the car and carry skis on the roof. If skiing the Pyrenees the best access is via the airports at Toulouse or Barcelona.
Citizens of EU countries should apply for and carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which provides free emergency care at state hospitals - but the EHIC should never be used as a substitute for travel and ski insurance. For example, free treatment is only available in state hospitals and in the case of a serious accident it is possible you could be taken to the closest private hospital or even transferred to a facility in Switzerland – which could come with a hefty bill.
Lastly, if driving in France be sure to read up on the rules of the road as they have different laws, requirements and emergency procedures.