If you are somewhere in between the two extremes, there are so many options that you’ll need to narrow your search down to specifics or end up scratching your head in indecision until the snow melts.  Remember also that the earlier you book your accommodations, the more likely there will be special deals, even freebies, such as day-care for the kids.

First you need to decide on when you want to go and how long you want to stay; because that’s going to affect the rates you’ll pay.  Then there’s the question of whether you’re taking the family or just a friend, or taking no one and hoping to meet up with a kindred soul.

All these factors and many more should be taken into account when making a decision amongst the plethora of options for France ski holidays.  You will find that almost all of them offer at least a few bunny slopes, but a limited number can provide a glacier with lifts.  Some are geared more to nightlife than to exhausting daytime adventures, but you will probably want some of both.

Try not to be confused by nomenclature.  Some of the ‘summer villas’ become ‘ski chalets’ when the snow falls.  There are ski villas in France, ski chalets, ski resorts and some that just expect you to know them by name, such as Chamonix.

This area has five separate ski areas and is world-renowned for its stunning scenery and variety of terrain, crowned and dominated by the massive Mont Blanc.  Here the skiing is arguably the most challenging in the world, but you will also find heated indoor swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, sunbeds and saunas and enough lively nightlife to satisfy the most diverse tastes.

The same is true of so many places that offer ski holidays that you need to narrow your search even further.  Some are ‘fully catered’ chalets where the price includes such perks as a private chauffeur, private lessons, a personal masseur or masseuse and the daily newspaper of your choice, to name but a few of the luxuries available.  The great thing is that the opportunities are endless, if money is no object or if the budget is your main concern, you will find plenty of options from which to pick and choose.

It will pay to make a list of your favourite activities, but first check out the possibilities:  climbing frozen waterfalls, dog-sledding and bobsledding, ice skating and skidoos may not even have entered your mind, but these and just about anything else you can think of, with the possible exceptions of camel rides in the sand dunes or cactus-watching, will be on offer on France’s ski holiday smorgasbord.

Related posts:

1. Last minute ski France deals France has some of the finest ski resorts in the...
2. Villas in St Tropez Going to the south of France on the French Riviera...
3. Ski Chalets in France France has a skiing destination requires no introduction, it has...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

With a wealth of mountains and quality facilities found on them, France has so much to offer every type of ski and snowboard enthusiast, as well as those who enjoy the myriad of other winter sports that are available across France’s Alpine regions.

Along with a wealth of skiing opportunities there are also a wealth of ski chalets available as holiday rentals, to offer home comforts for tired skiing muscles.

A good place to start your search for the ultimate ski chalet is with The Chalet Experience, an owner operated small but flexible chalet accommodation company run by qualified resort managers.

One of their many offerings is Chalet St Martin, which is described as the perfect place for any skiing enthusiast. Just a couple of years ago to adjoining chalets were brought together and totally refurbished to make one great destination accommodation for a group of skiers.

Located on the mountain looking down over Les Gets village this is an idyllic and tranquil location. This does not mean that this home away from home does not offer the very highest quality of facilities including a bath for every ensuite, as well as separate children’s and adults lounges, and an additional lounge styled like a bar, as well as a boot room which is heated and a larger size ski locker.

There are of course British TV channels available on the high end flatscreen TV as well as DVD and PlayStation facilities, as well as old-fashioned board games to while away the evenings.

Another well-known company offering ski chalet accommodation is Chalet 1802. They specialise in offering chalets that are in the very best locations and finished to the most luxurious standards, all of which are fully catered by top quality chefs.

Staff are picked for their friendliness and their attention to the finest details in order that they will be able to serve your every need while relaxing and skiing.

One example of their quality ski accommodations is Chalet Sous Les Bois, regarded by many as one of the best quality accommodations to be found in Chaminix. It offers every facility including the very finest in contemporary Italian furnishings as well as a bathroom that bears the Starck brand name.

This three floor chalet offers a huge 350 m² of accommodation, which includes no less than five very generous master bedrooms capable of being home for up to 10 people, each of the bedrooms is of course ensuite.

On the third floor there is 100 meters of luxury living area with the centrepiece being a large log burning fire as well as gigantic floor-to-ceiling picture windows offering stunning views. There is even a bar as well as a TV snug. The Chalet offers a driver at any time of day to take you anywhere in the area at your convenience.

Related posts:

1. Ski Magic catered chalet skiing holidays to beat the credit crunch A family ski holiday can be expensive when you are...
2. Last minute ski France deals France has some of the finest ski resorts in the...
3. France is still tops for skiing Most serious skiers agree that for great skiing holidays the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

is an unforgettable experience. It is also a fantastic place to get some really cracking ski holidays. These can include ski chalet and hotels in one of the best skiing countries, including Europe’s largest ski area the 3 Vallees where you can enjoy Courcheval, Meribel, as well as Val Thorens. The skiing at these resorts is suitable for all levels of skier, so if you haven’t skied before or you are a black run specialist, you will find it in the 3 Vallees. Don’t forget Paradiski either which was created in 2003 by joining the resorts of La Plagne, Peisey-Vallandry and Les Arcs, by the new superfast Vanoise Express transfer cable car, Paradiski provides 425kms of runs one of the biggest and above all most varied ski areas in the world.

That is not all that is on offer from this winter skiing playground, L’espace Killy offers some of the finest skiing and snowboarding, not just in Europe, but the world with renowned resorts like Val d’Isere and Tignes with the excitement and fun of après ski too. There are great last minute ski deals on offer either through snow train or flight and transfer, check our ski France, where the food is great, the runs fantastic and the snow is great.

Related posts:

1. Blissful skiing in Megeve, France The French village of Megeve offers a longstanding recipe for...
2. France is still tops for skiing Most serious skiers agree that for great skiing holidays the...
3. Skiing in the French Alps Skiing in the French Alps is a dream come true...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Megeve boasts 445 km of marked trails, served by 81 integrated lifts, (and no t-bars) offering extensive terrain for skiers of all levels. Since opening in 1913, the resort has played its part in the development of the sport of skiing and regularly hosts World Cup races. Two snow parks and a half-pipe are available for snowboarding. In addition the resort has ice rinks, a swimming pool, acclaimed restaurants that are mentioned in top gastro guides. The resort is served by a modern, high-speed lift system that ensures a quick ride to the top. With an average of 200cm of snow falling every year, the trails are well covered. On the occasion when the snow cover is lacking, the resort has invested in more than 278 snow cannons to ensure that you can enjoy your skiing holiday. The skiing is wonderful and challenging on a huge domain called the “Espace Mt.Blanc” and the “Evasion” lift pass is valid in all of these areas. The domaine has a great majority of its runs cut in the trees which makes it the area to be in when there is a bad storm or “whiteout” conditions. In most ski areas above “treeline” one would have to stop skiing for safety in bad weather conditions but not in Megeve.

Because Megeve is in close proximity to Geneva, as well as Chambery, ski weekends and short breaks are extremely popular and this means that mid week breaks of 3, 4 or 5 days can be offered at greatly reduced prices, so why not look out for ski deals of this nature at your online ski holiday provider?

Related posts:

1. France is still tops for skiing Most serious skiers agree that for great skiing holidays the...
2. Last minute ski France deals France has some of the finest ski resorts in the...
3. Skiing in the French Alps Skiing in the French Alps is a dream come true...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The three other linked villages in this long valley are Chantemerie, Monetier les Bains, and Villeneuve la Salle. Monetier has its own snowboard park as well as a spa and thermal baths. Villeneuve has many gentle beginners’ slopes, an ice skating rink, a fitness center with a sauna and gym, an indoor heated swimming pool, a floodlit circuit for ice driving, and a good variety of restaurants, bars, night clubs, and shops. There is also the town of Briancon with its historic medieval fortress and cobbled streets as well as a modern sports center featuring ice hockey matches.

Throughout the large ski area you will also find all levels of ski slopes from nursery ones to difficult ones such as the Isolee black run and a long Olympic run. There are 15 expert (black) pistes, 42 difficult (red) ones, 33 intermediate (blue) ones, and 25 easy (green) ones. At the bottom of the valley are cross county trails. And if there isn’t enough snow, there is plenty of snow-making equipment handy!

There are excellent ski schools for beginners, sleigh riding, sledding, ice skating, ice and rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, alpine mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking, torchlight descents, carriage rides, and more.

There has been a 50 euro-million investment here which includes a new drag lift and other modern lifts, increased snow making, improved runs access, and the use of a “Holiski Card” which allows skiers to beat the crowds and receive discounts off lift passes for as much as 30% per day. The Les Grands Bains center can hold 1200 people every day over three floors and features outdoor and indoor naturally heated pools, Roman features, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and is an oasis for those seeking a calm atmosphere as well as beauty and health treatments.

Serre Chevalier is a picturesque mixture of old villages and new buildings. It is the Alps’ seventh largest ski resort and was voted the number one wellness resort by Alpes Magazine. The resort has 3 skating rinks, 6 movie theaters, 3 outside pools, 1 indoor pool, 2 fitness centers, and much more. This is the home turf of Luc Alphand, an international downhill racer.

The French Alps have been the scene for several Olympic games including races and speed skiing.

Related posts:

1. France is still tops for skiing Most serious skiers agree that for great skiing holidays the...
2. Blissful skiing in Megeve, France The French village of Megeve offers a longstanding recipe for...
3. Ski Holiday Villas in France Whether you are an intrepid, fearless and very experienced skier...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Based in Courchevel and La Tania in the Three Valleys in France, which is reputedly the World’s largest and best ski area, Ski Magic are currently offering some fantastic value for money deals including free child places. On selected weeks they are also offering free ski hire for children under 10 years and free childcare for non skiing children and infants in the Magic Snowflake club run by their own team of qualified, yet fun loving nannies who organize a weekly programme of indoor and out door play including piste picnics, sledging, face painting, baking and model making.

Ski Magic’s chalets, are situated on or very close to the piste, village and lifts making most of them true ski in and ski out chalets. Cuisine in the chalet includes a substantial cooked breakfast to start the day, afternoon tea with fresh baguettes and preserves and a delicious home baked cake followed by a superb 3 or 4 course evening meal with carefully chosen appellation controlled wine. Packed lunches are available, if required.

Ski Magic is an established family run company and provides affordable family skiing holidays in one of the Worlds biggest and best ski areas.

More information on their website -  www.skimagic.co.uk.

For a personalised quotation email: sales@skimagic.co.uk or telephone: 0151 6772317

Related posts:

1. France is still tops for skiing Most serious skiers agree that for great skiing holidays the...
2. Ski Chalets in France France has a skiing destination requires no introduction, it has...
3. Blissful skiing in Megeve, France The French village of Megeve offers a longstanding recipe for...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

If you are looking for a ski holiday at Val Thorens in the Trois Vallees, talk to your ski specialist about St Martin de Bellville where you will find some great chalet ski holiday deals. Similarly if you have always taken a ski holiday in Meribel, a gondola now connects from the resort of Brides-les-Bain and some great ski holiday deals are available.

Chalet holidays are tailor made for all group sizes, from a couple to a number of like minded people. The food is amongst the best to be found on a ski holiday; often this is prepared by cookery school graduates many to cordon bleu standard and these meals would compare favourably with that served up in a top French hotel just down the road, but at a fraction of the cost. Normally wine of your choice is served at the table and this usually seems to come from a bottomless carafe! French chalets have a wide choice of breakfast from cooked to “continental” and afternoon tea, usually a sumptuous cake, is waiting for you when you get back from the ski slopes.

All round France is still a great place to choose for your ski holiday and if you take the advice of your holiday specialist, fantastic offers are better than ever this year. By using the facilities of your ski holiday specialist you can usually find just what you are looking for to make your holiday perfect.

Related posts:

1. Last minute ski France deals France has some of the finest ski resorts in the...
2. Skiing in the French Alps Skiing in the French Alps is a dream come true...
3. Ski Magic catered chalet skiing holidays to beat the credit crunch A family ski holiday can be expensive when you are...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

In Les Menuires, part of the ski domain opened from 6 December before the official opening on 13 December, with a day ski pass for the opening weekend at a special rate. www.skijournee.com

In Chamonix, after abundant snowfall, the Grands Montets ski area plans to open daily from 6 December. Other ski areas in Chamonix such as Brévent-Flégère and Balme will open on Saturday 20 December. The Aiguille du Midi cable car will re-open on 13 December. www.chamonix.com

Les Portes du Soleil have recorded snowfall of 50 cm at 1200m and 120 cm at the top of the ski domain. The resorts of Chatel, Avoriaz and Les Gets partially opened last weekend. www.portesdusoleil.com

In the southern Alps, the resort of Les Orres is reporting snow covered slopes and the resort will open on 13 December. There is a webcam on www.lesorres.com

The resorts of Val Thorens, Tignes and Les 2 Alpes are already open.

Other resorts such as Chatel, Les Gets, Le Grand-Bornand, Chamonix, Les Contamines, La Clusaz, Val d’Isère, Alpe d’Huez and Isola 2000 will partially open at weekends.

The latest information about French ski resorts can be found at www.ski-ride-france.com

Related posts:

1. France is still tops for skiing Most serious skiers agree that for great skiing holidays the...
2. Skiing in the French Alps Skiing in the French Alps is a dream come true...
3. Blissful skiing in Megeve, France The French village of Megeve offers a longstanding recipe for...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

For example, book a long ski weekends or midweek breaks at a farmhouse in authentically French St Gervais Mont Blanc, new for 2008-09.

La Vieille Ferme is an authentic 1860 Savoyard farmhouse, now restored and modernised by French-English couple Marie and Jeremy Ransom. It overlooks the traditional French spa village of St. Gervais, with a stunning view of Mont Blanc and the Chaine des Fizz.

Says Jeremy, “St Gervais Mont Blanc is part of ‘Evasion Mont Blanc’, with 450 kms of pistes, but is far from being a mass-tourism resort. Out of high season, you can feel that the pistes are groomed just for you! People who have discovered this area don’t want to ski anywhere else.”

In January, late February, March and April the Ransoms are taking advantage of their proximity to Geneva airport, with its regular budget flights, to run long skiing weekends and mid week short breaks. Ski breaks are from £70 to £79 per person per night, with a single room supplement of 35 %, and include airport transfers, daily lift transfers and half-board accommodation. Available through www.frenchconnections.co.uk, property ID 3638.

Another picture book chalet improved for 2008-9 is available at the lesser known French resort of La Clusaz, a pretty Savoyard village that oozes charm, tradition and a sense of community.

It has grown organically into a ski resort popular with the French but less well known by the British. There is a superb variety of skiing, especially for beginners, so this is a great family destination.

In La Clusaz, Chalet Sophia is a spacious, light-filled, picture book chalet that sleeps 14 on a self-catering basis, and even features a jacuzzi where visitors can relax after a day on the slopes. Prices are from £1,295 to £2,995 a week for the whole property. available through French Connections at www.frenchconnections.co.uk, property ID 3660.

The traditional French alpine village of Cordon remains largely unspoilt and still has many working farms combined with spectacular mountain scenery dominated by Mont Blanc. It is situated at 915m (3000ft) above sea level and, in addition to good skiing, its charms include a historic Baroque church and a Michelin starred restaurant. The local ski school is very well respected and especially good for beginners and the village hosts skiing events, dog sleigh racing and hot air ballooning conventions, along with spectacular firework displays on some public holidays.

Chalet les Cerises in Cordon has stunning views of Mont Blanc and its friendly owners offer spacious, comfortable accommodation on a flexible B& B basis. There are two apartments, each sleeping five people, and evening meals are available cooked with fresh local produce. Chalet le Cerises can be booked through French Connections at www.frenchconnections.co.uk, property ID 618.

Dicover these properties and more at http://www.frenchconnections.co.uk/en/activity/property/302-skiing.

Related posts:

1. Blissful skiing in Megeve, France The French village of Megeve offers a longstanding recipe for...
2. Ski Magic catered chalet skiing holidays to beat the credit crunch A family ski holiday can be expensive when you are...
3. France is still tops for skiing Most serious skiers agree that for great skiing holidays the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.