Do you dream of spending a white Christmas on the pistes, in picturesque traditional mountain villages and with refreshingly well priced lift passes? Well then, we’ll let you in on some of the French Alps’ best kept secrets!
© Andy Parant
Peisey Vallandry
Transfer Time: 1hr 40mins from Grenoble, 2hrs 20mins from Geneva
Lift Pass: 6 days €305 Paradiski, 6 days €270 for Les Arcs & Peisey Vallandry
Peisey Vallandry is a collection of five traditional villages. The resort is located in the Vanoise National Park, surrounded by nature making it beautiful and peaceful. There are plenty of runs to suit all experience levels and an abundance of off piste routes waiting to be discovered.
Sandwiched between Les Arcs and La Plagne and connected by the Vanoise Express, Peisey Vallandry benefits from being part of the huge Paradiski area which provides skiers with over 400km of piste. An ideal location for those who want the benefits of spacious accommodation in a peaceful area but also want to enjoy the festivities in the neighbouring resorts.
Accommodation in this area is spacious and good value for money making it perfect for a Christmas ski break. The buildings are traditional, even the new ones, which contrasts the purpose built style of the villages big neighbours, Les Arcs and La Plagne. We recommend L’Oree des Neiges which is in a convenient ski in/ ski out location if you plan to ski the days away or, if you want to be pampered, the luxury chalet style apartments at L’Oree des Cimes.
© Montgenevre
Montgenèvre
Transfer Time: 1hr 50mins from Grenoble, 2hrs 10mins from Geneva
Lift Pass for Montegenèvre: 6 days €218, inc. 1 day Milky Way access
Connected to the 400km of piste in the Milky Way ski area, Montgenèvre is known for its good value cafés and restaurants as well as its laid back atmosphere- perfect for a relaxed Christmas break. The village itself is situated within a forest is breath taking when it’s blanketed in snow and dressed in festive decorations.
Because of its unique position, Montegenèvre’s lift pass offers one day of access to the plentiful pistes of the Milky Way at no extra cost. As if that isn’t enough, it is also possible to travel to other local resorts where you can purchase a one day lift pass for around €50. There’s so much choice you’ll feel like all of your Christmases have come at once!
In Montgenèvre, our favourite accommodations are the luxury apartments at Le Napoleon and the Anova Hotel & Spa which are both close to the slopes and the resort’s centre. Whether you’re skiing from dawn till dusk on Christmas day or soaking up the atmosphere in the village centre, you’ll be close to the action!
© Samoens
Samoëns
Approximate Transfer Time: 1hr 20mins from Geneva
Lift Pass for Grand Massif: 6 days €246
A well respected historical village in its own right, Samoëns is an authentic French village with a medieval centre. This is where the French go to ski, it isn’t overwhelmed with Brits like the larger, better known resorts and as such, and it is fantastic value for money. On Wednesdays, all year round, there is a market in the gorgeous village square where locals sell their produce and some boutique shops sell their goods. The market is the perfect place to pick up supplies for a homemade festive feast!
The resort is part of the Grand Massif ski area which has fantastic skiing for all levels and with a super speedy transfer time of one hour you’ll be hitting the slopes in no time!
In Samoëns, we would recommend you stay in the stunning brand new Residence Alexane for a truly luxurious Christmas or La Reine des Pres which gets fantastic feedback from our clients.
© Le Grand Bornand
Le Grand Bornand
Approximate Transfer Time: 1hr 20mins from Geneva
Lift Pass for Aravis: 5 days €180, 8 days €261
A very traditional, and very French, resort a short transfer away from Geneva. Le Grand Bornand is made up of two equally charming villages which together are home to over 50 working farms, you can even visit a farm that makes the famous local Reblochon cheese!
With an incredibly good value Aravis lift pass, you could be skiing from Christmas to New Year without touching the same runs twice! If you fancy a change of scene, you can travel for free on the shuttle bus, with your lift pass, between the other resorts in the Aravis area. Or if you fancy seeing Le Grand Bornand Chinaillon from a different perspective then you could take a hot air balloon ride or a Segway tour.
Both of the accommodations that we offer in this resort are in the smaller village of Le Grand Bornand Chinaillon. There are the cosy and traditional apartments at Le Village de Lessy with fantastic kitchens for those who fancy making their own alpine festive feasts or the spacious and stylish apartments at Residence Le Roc des Tours which have plenty of facilities to keep the whole family pampered and entertained throughout the Christmas holidays.
Posted by Kirsty Druce on Thursday 27 Sep 2018