Author: Romain Boisaubert

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...

Formerly known as the Poleta Snowpark, the La Rosière Family Park has been given a makeover. More modern, more fun and even more friendly, this area has been completely redesigned to welcome young and old, beginners and experts alike. The aim is to offer unforgettable moments of fun and sharing in the heart of the ski area. The new Family Park now offers three distinct courses, accessible to all: An area designed for fun and conviviality With this redesign, La Rosière is confirming its determination to make the Family Park an essential part of the ski area. Whether you come...

At Orcières, autumn is more than just a transitional season: it's a time for living to the full, with its flamboyant colours, conviviality and sharing. As the larch trees take on their most beautiful golds and the mountains regain their calm, the resort offers a unique gentleness, ideal for an All Saints' Day getaway with family or friends. 1. A programme of activities for all ages During the All Saints' Day holidays, Orcières offers a wide range of activities. Younger children can enjoy creative workshops, make-up sessions, an escape game or the traditional Halloween...

It's possible to ski at Vars without blowing your budget. With special offers, online discounts and preferential rates for families and groups, the resort has a number of great deals to help you make the most of its ski area. Here's a roundup of the best deals on winter passes for 2025-2026. Happy Days" on Fridays Every Friday from 19 December 2025 to 3 April 2026, a full-day ski pass is available for €46.50 instead of €58. This 100 % web offer, which can be booked online until the previous Wednesday evening, means you can extend your weekend at a...

Perched at an altitude of 1,850 metres in the Haute Tarentaise, La Rosière is a resort in a class of its own in the French Alps. Authentic, sunny and looking towards nearby Italy, its mountain charm and international ski area will win you over. Here are three reasons not to miss La Rosière this winter. 1. Authentic charm and a preserved mountain spirit At La Rosière, there's nothing standard about the architecture: stone chalets, lauze roofs, wood and fireplaces blend harmoniously into the landscape. Here, the spirit of the Savoyard village lives on, offering visitors a real change of scenery. See this publication...

As well as sporting competitions and classic torch-lit descents, some resorts are vying with each other to offer totally unusual events. Here are three unusual events not to be missed this winter in the French mountains. Festi' Soupes in Super-Besse: conviviality in a bowl In December, the Sancy resort gets down to business with the Festi' Soupes. In the streets of Besse, residents, shopkeepers and restaurateurs get together to offer visitors an evening that's as warm as it is original. On the programme: free tastings of home-made soups, illuminations, night-time entertainment and horse-drawn carriage rides....

Hastily built in the 1960s and 1970s during the "snow plans", many French resorts are now seeing their accommodation model called into question. With an ageing stock of resorts, new energy standards and heightened expectations among holidaymakers, the challenge is immense. Since the Climate and Resilience Act (2021) and the Le Meur Act (2024), thermal flats have gradually been banned from being rented out. In the mountains, where much of the housing stock is over half a century old, this directly threatens millions of overnight stays every season. Behind the energy issue lies another urgent need: accommodation for seasonal workers....

Going to the mountains has never been synonymous with compulsory luxury. From revamped refuges to new-generation youth hostels and friendly hostels, the Alps are full of good places to enjoy the slopes without breaking the bank. Here's a round-up of the best places to pack your bags this winter. Pépé Gust' in Pralognan-la-Vanoise: the riders' hostel Just a stone's throw from the ski lifts, Pépé Gust' welcomes skiers, hikers and groups of friends in a warm, wooded atmosphere. It's a simple, friendly place, with rooms from €63 a night. On the plate, tartiflettes, burgers...