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...
Author: Romain Boisaubert
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...
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...
In the heart of the Oisans region, the village resort of Vaujany has confirmed that it has nothing to envy of the big names, with a calendar packed with sporting, cultural and festive events. From November to April, the mountains come alive here in all their forms. Vaujany Hockey Cup - 6 to 8 November 2025 The season kicks off on the ice! For three days, the ice rink will play host to the U18 national teams from France, Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia for a high-level international tournament. The perfect opportunity to discover the future talents of European hockey in a friendly atmosphere....
Nestling in the Grand Massif and designed by the architect Marcel Breuer, Flaine is as attractive for its ski area as for its unique architectural heritage. In terms of accommodation, the resort offers a rich and varied choice, from designer hotels to family residences. Here are our five favourites for an unforgettable stay this winter. The most 'arty': Totem Friendly Hotel*** In the heart of Flaine Forum, the Totem is a place where design and conviviality come together. With graphic frescoes paying tribute to the resort's creators and chestnut furniture, the establishment plays the...
Valmeinier is gearing up for a winter season packed with new features. Wellness, leisure activities, gastronomy and local flavours: here's an overview of the places and experiences that will make winter 2025-2026 special. An extraordinary wellness area From 13 December, the Les Carrettes hotel will be inaugurating a 400 m² wellness area. A haven of relaxation after a day on the slopes, it will feature a hammam, swimming pool, sensory shower, ice fountain and Himalayan salt wall. See this post on Instagram A post shared by Hotel Club Les Carrettes (@lescarrettes) Visitors will also be able to enjoy treatments on the...
At the dawn of a new winter season, La Plagne is preparing to write a new chapter in its history with the arrival of Thomas Saison as General Manager of its Tourist Office. At the helm of one of the world's busiest resorts, he inherits an immense territory and equally vast challenges: maintaining its international appeal, supporting the climate transition and continuing to invent the mountain experience of tomorrow. With just a few weeks to go before the slopes open, he shares with us his vision and priorities for the winter ahead. You have just taken over the management of the La...
La Plagne has confirmed its position as a must-see resort for culture, entertainment and skiing, with a rich and varied programme to punctuate the entire season. Here are the key events not to be missed. Culture à la carte - from 18 September 2025 The cultural season is already in full swing and will continue throughout the winter. Theatre, stand-up comedy, exhibitions and concerts will be staged throughout the region, from the valley to the villages and high altitude sites. It's a veritable artistic red thread that runs alongside holidaymakers and locals alike, well beyond the slopes. Xplore Alpes Festival - 25 to 31 October 2025 Every autumn, the...
From 21 to 28 March 2026, Les Gets is launching a brand new event designed for those who have never skied before: the 1st Ski Festival, or "Festival of First Tracks". The idea? To turn an introduction to skiing into a friendly, festive and reassuring experience. Unlike the big winter sports events, this festival is aimed exclusively at adults aged 18 and over who have never put skis on before. There's no competition, no pressure: the atmosphere is one of discovery and the pleasure of sharing your first turns. Each morning, participants will enjoy...
Between end-of-year traditions, sporting competitions, humour and new discoveries, the resort of Les Gets is set to be more festive than ever. Here are the major events not to be missed. Father Christmas lives in Les Gets - 20 to 26 December 2025 Every winter, the magic happens: Father Christmas and his elves take up residence in Les Gets. The programme includes a unique show in the enchanted forest, storytelling tours for young and old and, on New Year's Eve, a magical stroll through the village punctuated by a torchlight procession and fireworks. New Year's Eve - 31 December 2025...
This winter, the Les Gets ski area is taking another step towards modernising its facilities. From December 2025, skiers will be able to enjoy the brand new 8-seater detachable chairlift at La Rosta, installed by Solegets. The old 4-seater chairlift will be replaced by a latest-generation 8-seater, equipped with ergonomic seats and a positioning mat to make boarding easier. With an operating speed of 6 metres per second, the ascent to the summit will take no more than three minutes. The stated aim is to ease traffic on the slopes and improve the experience of skiers, whether they are beginners...
True to its image of elegance and prestige, Megève is gearing up for a season packed with cultural, sporting and festive events. From December to March, the Savoyard resort will be staging a series of major events to mark the winter season. Illumination of the Christmas tree - 6 December 2025 A long-awaited tradition for over 15 years, the illumination of the majestic Christmas tree will once again take pride of place in the village square. See this post on Instagram A post shared by Aurélie | travel & fashion creator (@aureliestory) Designed in collaboration with Parisian jewellers Messika, the tree stands 20 metres tall and is adorned with...
Nestling in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, Châtel has always made families a priority. Far from being over-developed, the village that became a resort has managed to preserve its identity, its sense of welcome and a range of activities designed for all ages. Here, local traditions, gastronomy, heritage and leisure activities combine to offer parents and children alike an unforgettable stay. A rich and varied programme Each week, the resort offers almost 60 activities and events to suit all profiles. Families can alternate between sport, culture and entertainment: orienteering in the village,...
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