Author: Romain Boisaubert

In Flaine, winter can be enjoyed as much on the slopes as at the table. From sunny terraces and charming old buildings to contemporary design, the resort is as much a gourmet destination as it is a sporting one. Here are five restaurants to discover without delay, to combine skiing and the pleasure of good food. La Pente à Jules, the place to be for happy skiers Perched on the edge of the slopes, La Pente à Jules is the place to be for lovers of good food and good humour. In a relaxed atmosphere, you can sit on the south-facing terrace or inside to enjoy burgers, wraps, bruschettas and snacks...

Nestling between snow-capped peaks and wild valleys, the communes of the Pays des Écrins are redoubling their imagination to offer an immersive, responsible and poetic winter. Here, the mountains are reinvented without ever changing, with sensory experiences, committed accommodation, unusual walks and gentle escapades inviting visitors to experience the Alpine winter in a different way. Pelvoo Village: winter reinvented in Pelvoux-Vallouise This is one of the season's big new features: the Pelvoo Igloo becomes Pelvoo Village, a genuine mountain fair redesigned to inspire young and old alike. Under the snow-covered domes and installations, you can discover a magical world...

On 22 and 23 November 2025, Val Thorens celebrates its opening weekend, «La Grande Première», an event that has become legendary for all lovers of skiing and the mountains. On the programme: skiing, equipment tests, festive entertainment, a raclette evening, mountain film screenings and even a one-man show. In short, everything you need to get back into the winter spirit and kick off the season with a smile. The first resort to open in the Three Valleys, Val Thorens promises a weekend of pure skiing and snowboarding, punctuated by the first descents of the winter and the new-found sensations. On site,...

It's the date that all winter sports fans have been waiting for: on Saturday 22 November 2025, Tignes kicks off the winter season in the French Alps. Thanks to its Grande Motte glacier, perched at an altitude of 3,656 metres, the resort gets the ball rolling before anyone else, promising 163 days of non-stop skiing from 22 November 2025 to 3 May 2026. As it does every year, Tignes is taking great care to get the ball rolling. The opening weekend promises to be sporting, festive and unifying, combining great skiing, a friendly atmosphere and unmissable events. Starting on Saturday morning, meet at Tignes Val Claret, in front of the...

At l'Alpe d'Huez, there's more to skiing than meets the eye. Off the slopes, the resort offers a range of original experiences to help you make the most of the mountains in a different way - thrills, shared laughter and pure emotion guaranteed. Become a musher in the middle of the tundra Head for the great outdoors with Mika and his Second Souffle team. Accompanied by their Nordic dogs, holidaymakers set off for a ride to the rhythm of the huskies' panting and the crunch of skates on the snow. This immersion in the world of sled dogs is a different way of getting close to the mountains and experiencing them for themselves...

Some resorts are the brainchild of developers and investors. And then there's Les Karellis, a resort born of an idea, an ideal and a collective commitment. On the heights of Montricher-Albanne, in the Maurienne, this singular project has made its way far from commercial models, driven by a conviction: skiing should be a pleasure accessible to all, a driving force for life in the valley and a symbol of solidarity. 1972 - The idea of a mountain for everyone At a time when the Alps were being overrun with resorts designed as real-estate showcases, the small village of Montricher-Albanne came up with the idea...

It's a mountain of stories and records. At l'Alpe d'Huez, one legendary descent follows another, with names that have become emblematic: Sarenne, Tunnel, Combe Charbonnière, Brèche... Four routes that have forged the reputation of the Isère resort and continue to attract skiers from all over the world, eager for great vertical drops and pure thrills. Sarenne, the queen of descents From the summit of the Pic Blanc, at an altitude of 3,330 m, the legendary Sarenne unfurls its 16 kilometres of uninterrupted descent to the village of Alpauris. It's a trail that's unique in the world, both in terms of its length and the emotion it arouses. From the very first slopes,...

Les Karellis is gearing up for a season like no other. To celebrate the resort's 50th anniversary, the 2025-2026 winter programme promises to be exceptional: parties, music, sporting challenges and magical moments will punctuate the coming months. True to its collective spirit, the Savoyard resort is putting its entire community into motion - from ski patrollers to ski instructors, from shopkeepers to holidaymakers - for a winter of sharing and celebration. December: Season opening and the magic of Christmas On 20 December, Les Karellis will kick off this anniversary season with...

At Les 2 Alpes, autumn doesn't mark the end of the season. From 18 October to 2 November 2025, the resort is extending the pleasures of summer with an exceptional opening of the ski lifts during the All Saints' Day holidays. A breath of fresh air before winter, with golden walks, exhilarating descents and a festive atmosphere. When the peaks begin to turn white and the forests turn gold and copper, the mountains reveal a different, calmer and wilder side. In this luminous autumn atmosphere, mountain bikers and hikers are invited to rediscover the landscapes of the 2...

Following the resounding success of the PopAlp in Alpe d'Huez (number 1 on TripAdvisor for the last three years), the CîMEHôTEL Group's crazy concept is set to rock La Plagne. In December 2025, the legendary Hotel Christina, one of the resort's oldest establishments, will reopen under a completely new name and a completely different face: the PopAlp La Plagne. A 4-star hotel like no other, where skiing meets pop art, and where every detail invites a smile. It took two years of work to transform this historic hotel into a unique, colourful place...

The Mont Blanc Marathon is one of the legendary mountain trail events. Every summer, the Mont Blanc Marathon attracts thousands of runners from all over the world, ready to tackle the demanding trails of the massif. For its 2026 edition, scheduled from 25 to 28 June, the Chamonix event is continuing its transformation: more responsible, more local, more inclusive. With eight months to go before the start, the organisers are announcing the opening of registration and a number of major new features that mark a turning point in the history of the race. Organised since 1979 by the Chamonix Sports Club, the Mont Blanc Marathon has never ceased to evolve, while remaining faithful to its roots...

At first glance, it's hard to imagine that this is a church. With its silhouette of a Berber tent standing on the snow, Notre-Dame des Neiges d'Huez is puzzling, intriguing and always ends up fascinating. It is one of the most unique monuments in the Alps, combining modern architecture, religious symbolism and mountain culture. Inaugurated in 1970, the church replaces a former wooden chapel. Its architect, Jean Marol, drew his inspiration from the modernism of Le Corbusier to create a bold, curvaceous building of concrete, copper and glass. The idea? To break with classical codes. There is no nave or transept here: the building...

Between films, electro music and comic strips, Alpe d'Huez looks set to be more vibrant than ever this winter. From the big screen to the great outdoors, the resort has a string of emblematic events to keep the heart of the mountains beating. Sea & Mountain Film Festival 15 to 19 December 2025 The season kicks off with an adventurous twist. Fifteen teams made up of a sailor and a mountain dweller will take part in the Sea & Mountain Trophy, a friendly gathering combining sporting events, conferences and original screenings. It's a real hymn to nature and solidarity, as the participants support...

This winter, La Rosière is expanding its hotel offering with two exceptional addresses: the Écrin Blanc, designed by Odalys Vacances, and the Chalet de l'Hermine, an intimate residence designed for top-of-the-range stays. Two places that perfectly embody the spirit of the resort: elegance, comfort and the art of mountain living. L'Écrin Blanc: combining prestige and well-being This is one of the most eagerly awaited openings of the season. In December 2025, Odalys Vacances will set up shop in La Rosière with L'Écrin Blanc, a complex combining Alpine elegance and 4-star services. The complex is built around...

Fancy swapping the French Alps for a change of scenery this winter? Europe is full of resorts as prestigious as they are original, where local traditions, gastronomy, high-altitude skiing and unparalleled panoramas combine to perfection. From the discreet charm of the Austrian valleys to the snow-covered fjords of Norway, Condé Nast Traveller and European ski experts take a look at the most remarkable destinations. Switzerland: glamour, tradition and guaranteed snow It's hard to beat Switzerland when it comes to Alpine elegance. In Saint-Moritz, chic is second nature: legendary hotels, omnipresent sunshine and panoramic slopes on the heights...

Perched at an altitude of 1,600 metres, facing the Aiguilles d'Arves, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves is gearing up for a winter season packed with new attractions. Heritage, leisure activities, well-being, skiing... the Maurienne resort is redoubling its ideas to appeal to young and old alike, combining authenticity and innovation. A completely redesigned heritage museum A landmark of local life, the Musée de la Vie d'autrefois will be reopening its doors this winter after a complete renovation. Created in 1977 and run by the ASPECTS association, it is now located in the heart of the Saint-Saturnin church area, in a historic building restored for the occasion. The museum houses a valuable collection of objects, tools and...

Val d'Isère has just been named Europe's best ski resort by readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller magazine, as part of the Readers' Choice Awards 2025. With an impressive satisfaction score of 99.17 %, the French resort is ahead of Kitzbühel (Austria) and Gstaad (Switzerland), confirming its status as an exceptional destination in the heart of the Alps. A world ski icon Nestled at an altitude of 1,850 metres, Val d'Isère is not just a legendary ski area: it's also an art of mountain living. Linked to...

When the weather turns fickle, there's no need to put your gloves away! At l'Alpe d'Huez, even the bleakest of days can make for a sunny holiday. Between indoor activities, cocooning moments and unusual experiences, the resort has no shortage of ideas to turn a grey sky into a fun and friendly interlude. The AgorAlp, a temple of sheltered activities Formerly the Palais des Sports et des Congrès, the AgorAlp is home to over a dozen activities for all ages. Games room, table tennis, tennis, squash, climbing, gym area, escape games... it's the perfect place to keep busy while having fun when the snow is still falling outside....

At La Rosière, the season promises to be a bountiful one, with a host of new features, clever formulas and wellness breaks. Here, you can ski, relax and enjoy without breaking the bank. Here's a round-up of the best winter deals for experiencing the mountains at 100 %. The X-periences package: the smart pass for a complete holiday The X-periences package is not just a ski pass: it's a real experience card. In addition to seven consecutive days' skiing for the price of six, holders enjoy a host of exclusive benefits. Unlimited access for pedestrians and snowshoers (5 chairlifts...

Straddling the Hautes-Pyrénées and Haute-Garonne, Peyragudes is one of the most dynamic resorts in the Pyrenees. A blend of modernity, nature and expertise, it combines the pleasure of skiing with sustainable innovation and an exemplary welcome. Here's why the resort is more than ever worth a visit this winter. With more than 70 % of the ski area covered in artificial snow from 15 December to 30 March, Peyragudes is sure to have a long, trouble-free season. Its new snow factory, one of the most modern in the Pyrenees, optimises production while reducing water and energy consumption. The result: constant snow cover and impeccable pistes...