Village size/charm.
It might seem obvious to avoid the big resorts if you prefer small town charm, but in fact it’s not as simple as that. La Plagne is one of France’s biggest resorts, but in actual fact it’s made up of 10 small villages, several of which are calm, beautiful little places, overflowing with character and rustic appeal : try La Plagne Montalbert. With any skiing holiday, make sure to look up the specifics of the village your hotel is in before you book.
Views and landscapes.
Almost all the resorts have good ones – after all you’re on top of a mountain and surrounded by snow – but some are more dramatic than others. It’s very much up to you to decide how much of an impact this will have on your holiday. Here at Alpinresorts.com, we love Val Thorens for its sureal landscape, La Rosière for its purest deep blue sky, and of course Vaujany for its rustic village charm.
Off-slope activities.
If you’re focused on going skiing/snowboarding for the thrill of doing just that and nothing else, skip this section and head directly to Val d’Isère and its amazing black runs. If you can see yourself needing a break from the pistes at any point, then make sure you keep an eye on the other things on offer. Off-slope activities include ice skating, swimming, water sports, snowshoeing, and plenty else besides.
Family friendly.
Resorts with good childcare are not difficult to come by, but it is something you need to check before booking. This means ski schools, childcare and crèche facilities, off and on-slope activities, and it’s worth considering the convenience and distance of the local slopes too. If you’re skiing in France, look for any resort awarded the Famille Plus Mountain label, as these have been formally recognised for their excellence in childcare.
