France
PHOTO: © Vincent Colin
Action Outdoors, the UK arm of not-for-profit UCPA, promoting good value, all-inclusive, skiing holidays in some of the top resorts in the French Alps, has launched its new 2025-26 family ski programme, with holiday’s now available to book online following a ‘closed’ period, where previous customers get priority booking.
Pierre & Vacances is already gearing up for next winter season. It’s Premium Residences across the French Alps have an exciting winter season ahead, with a host of refurbishments, strategic travel planning insights, and the highly anticipated opening of new accommodation in Avoriaz.
David Lindsay and the memorial to his father Peter on Piste de Rhodos
Mark Nicholls visits Meribel and skis with David Lindsay, son of the founder of the famous French resort.
If you ski down the Piste de Rhodos, you may easily miss a discreet rock plinth at the side of the slope.
SkiWeekends has launched a range of early booking offers for the 2025/26 winter season for skiers looking to secure their 2025-26 holiday and save money. With free lift passes, ski hire, and group discounts available, these deals are available for a limited time (book by 9 May 2025) in some of the top resorts in the Alps.
Today is World Glacier Day, and this week Les Arcs has been host to Agir pour les Glaciers festival, focusing on the preservation of glacial and post-glacial ecosystems. On a trip there earlier this season, Katy Dartford found out more about the resort’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and how it is shaping the future of sustainable tourism.
With spring in full swing, there is still plenty of opportunity to get out onto the slopes and enjoy some sunshine in the mountains.
It’s becoming increasingly popular to book a last-minute ski trip, with Ski Solutions seeing a strong increase in passenger numbers across many of their resorts.
PHOTO: © AZIZ BENKRICH
La Clusaz, in the Aravis, has immortalised icon of global skiing and a native of the region Candide Thovex, by naming a new slope after him. From his first descents on the slopes of the Massif de Balme to his international recognition, Candide has always promoted La Clusaz as a top freeskiing destination.
PHOTO: © JNJ PHOTO
Get ready for a brand new event that promises to shake things up at La Plagne this April – introducing La Mega Bell Course, a race series designed to thrill skiers of all ages.
This unique competition combines fun, creativity and challenge across five wacky races that will test the skills of even the most seasoned skiers.
An Easter ski holiday is a wonderful way to enjoy the mountains, with warm, sunny weather making the skiing irresistible and the lunch times long and lazy. Easter in 2025 falls on 20 April, meaning the likelihood of ideal weather is even higher.
PHOTO: © MegeveCommune / Marie Bougault
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Megève, the Back to Back Freeski Invitational emerges as a distinctive backcountry event, a brainchild born from the creative minds of the Collet brothers, Andy and Sandy.
In the Tarentaise Valley of southeastern France, Val d’Isère is known for its beautiful scenery and first-class ski slopes. This season, the world-renowned resort is taking significant strides towards a more sustainable future for winter sports tourism.
Action Outdoors recently launched specially priced holidays for 18-25 year olds with limited spaces in some of the best ski resorts in France. Previously sold out, the UCPA has just released a number of new spaces in January.
For 60 years, UCPA has provided all-inclusive, sustainable, and community-focused ski holidays. Katy Dartford takes a look at how they are continuing to thrive.
As I arrived in Val Thorens in early December it felt like I was stepping into another world.
Vialattea, the leading Italian-French international ski region and one of Europe’s largest ski resorts, is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with Trenitalia – the primary train operator in Italy – following its successful launch last season.
The current season’s first guests may have only arrived at Ski Beat’s high altitude French ski chalets a couple of weeks ago, but the company has already launched its 2025-26 programme. Ski Beat’s Laura Hazell says: “Around 30% of our guests book their next ski holiday with us within a couple of weeks of their return home.
Le Massif PHOTO: © Aosta Panoramica
Perfect for those seeking a quick escape without sacrificing comfort, Ski Solutions has curated a specialised list of luxury ski weekends that offer a refreshing dose of winter magic in Europe’s finest Alpine landscapes.
PHOTO: © Dominique Granger
100% Snow-Covered Pedestrian Resort
Perched at an altitude of 1800 metres, Avoriaz is the only resort in Europe that is entirely pedestrian and skiable. Its snow-covered streets are transformed into veritable slopes, reserved for pedestrians, skiers and sleighs. In this unique setting, Avoriaz has preserved its character and authenticity. Try sledding to do your shopping, ski to the bakery for a fresh baguette or take a horse sleigh ride to the restaurant!
SkiWeekends has launched a new holiday this winter in the ski resort of Les Gets, staying with Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, giving guests the unique opportunity to ski, stay, and dine with one of Britain’s most iconic Olympians. Guests will stay at Chalet Marjorie in the heart of Les Gets over a week during January with options for both short and longer stays.
PHOTO: © J Mugniery/laclusaz.com
There are many reasons to enjoy a magical festive season in the Alps, from a visit to Le Château du Père Noël to a Trapper’s Teepee. But a major development for this winter is the new Le Valléen gondola lift in St Gervais, which is forecast to reduce CO2 emissions in the area by up to 15%.
After a fresh dump of snow, with 50cm at altitude and 26cm in the village, Val d’Isère has announced that its slopes will open for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy from Saturday 30 November 2024.