Courchevel

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Savoie Mont Blanc, France

Total kilometers of slopes: 150 kilometers
Lifts: 55 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. €72/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of December until end of April

Courchevel is among the most glamorous and popular ski resorts in the world. © Piotr Figlarz 

Courchevel, like Méribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens, is part of the world's largest ski region, Les Trois Vallées. In total, the ski area spans 600 kilometers of slopes in three valleys. Thanks to this size, a day on the mountain is varied: skiers, snowboarders and co. will find numerous routes of various degrees of difficulty. In addition, more than three quarters of the slopes are located at an altitude of over 1,800 meters. Courchevel and Les Trois Vallées are therefore guaranteed snow until the end of April. 

The Vallée de Courchevel is probably the most glamorous of these snow paradises: Since the 1940s, the valley's five villages have been steadily developed. Courchevel 1850 in particular impresses with its glitz and glam: celebrities and the international jet set stay in the five-star hotels and luxury chalets in winter. For shopping there are numerous designer boutiques, gourmet dinners are served in seven Michelin restaurants. In Courchevel Moriond, on the other hand, people meet for après-ski, while families feel particularly at home in the villages at 1,550 and 1,400 meters above sea level.

Where to stay

Hôtel Le Lana
Rue de Bellecôte, 73120 Courchevel, France
Tel.: +33 47 908 0110
Web: lelana.com
Price: doubles from €780

Tignes/Val-d'Isère (Espace Killy)

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Savoie Mont Blanc, France

Total kilometers of slopes: 300 kilometers
Lifts: 23 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. €63/adult per day
Ski season: End of November until beginning of May

The "Criterion of the First Snow" takes place during the Alpine Ski World Cup in Val-d'Isère in December. © Tim Arnold

The fact that the season in the interconnected ski resorts of Val-d'Isère and Tignes starts as early as November and lasts until May is due to the ideal location in the heart of the Alps. Here, winter sports enthusiasts swing their boards over a full 300 kilometers of snow-sure slopes, ranging from 3,456 to 1,550 meters in altitude. Freeriders seek and find thrills on 21 routes. From Val d'Isère, experienced skiers set off on the black Face de Bellevarde piste. Incidentally, thanks to the Grande Motte glacier, you can also make use of the slopes here in summer.

The two resorts are ideal for a winter sports getaway: Val-d'Isère at 1,800 meters above sea level enchants with its charming mountain village character. After a long day in the icy snow, warm up a bit here at the water and sports center. Tignes offers leisure activities galore: for example, at La Banquise, which features an igloo village, snow maze, toboggan races and Inuit games. Those who long for extremes dare to (cautiously) jump into the ice-cold water during ice diving. 

Where to stay

Airelles Val d'Isère, Mademoiselle
145 Rue de la Poste, 73150 Val-d'Isère, France
Tel.: +33 47 922 22 22
Web: airelles.com
Price: doubles from €1,340

Méribel

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Savoie Mont Blanc, France

Total kilometers of slopes: 150 kilometers
Lifts: 42 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. €61/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of December until end of April

By the way, experienced - and brave - skiers venture down the 1-kilometer "Les Bosses" run in Méribel. © Shutterstock

It's the place to ski for sun-seekers: the enchanting Méribel in the Les Trois Vallées ski region invites you to 150 kilometers of fun on the slopes right into spring. Just as in Couchevel, you can enjoy snow-sure runs here, which promise absolutely sunny snow fun thanks to their high altitude. Even at night you can strap on your skis and experience the nine hectares of night skiing area. The younger generation can be found in the Yeti Park, while the more relaxed can enjoy the Himalaya Beginner's Trail in a designated Zen Zone. There's a bit more action in the Elements Snowpark for freestylers, which has boxes, rails, jibs and a boardercross course. In the cross-country skiing center, on the other hand, cross-country skiing fans will find themselves in their own personal land of milk and honey.

The ski resort of Méribel was opened as early as 1936 by the Scotsman Peter Lindsay. The museum in Les Allues tells of more than 80 years of history of the place, which was, among other things, the venue of the 1992 Olympic Games. And of course, après-ski in the bars and clubs and shopping are also on the list in Méribel. 

Where to stay

Le Kaïla
124 rue des Jeux Olympiques, 73550 Les Allues - Méribel, Île-de-France, France
Tel.: +33 47 941 69 20
Web: lekaila.com
Price: doubles from €680

Les Deux Alpes

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grenoble, France

Total kilometers of slopes: 225 kilometers
Lifts: 48 chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. €56/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of December until mid-April

Les Deux Alpes has gained worldwide fame especially as a paradise for freestylers. © Toa Heftiba

Surrounded by tens of three-thousand-meter peaks, a glacier and encompassing a multitude of blue and red slopes, lies Les Deux Alpes. The snow-sure ski resort in the Isère department is open all year round thanks to the glacier slopes of La Meije. Winter sports enthusiasts know the region above all as a Mecca for freeriders and freestylers: on the one hand, they plunge into the deep snow slopes of La Grave. On the other hand, the extensive, world-famous Freestyle Land, which has various areas, is open to them. 

Idyllic and quiet? No way. The two alpine villages of Mont de Lans and Venosc Village in the Dauphiné Alps are ideal for party animals: The villages' many bars, casinos, clubs and stores are aglow with festive Las Vegaesque lights and advertisements. So if you're craving excitement and celebratory après-ski moments, this is the place to be. 

Where to stay

Hôtel Grandes Rousses
425 Rte du Signal, 38750 Huez, France
Tel.: +33 47 680 33 11
Web: hotelgrandesrousses.com
Price: doubles from €312

Les Portes du Soleil

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Savoie Mont Blanc, France

Total kilometers of slopes: 650 kilometers
Lifts: 219 Chairlifts and gondolas
Ski pass price: from approx. € 62/adult per day
Ski season: Beginning of December until end of April

Les Portes du Soleil between France and Switzerland is the largest cross-border ski area in the world. © Reese Braam

The Portes du Soleil at 985 to 2,254 meters above sea level is the largest cross-border ski area - and one of the largest ski regions - in the world. It hardly needs to be mentioned that there is an incredible selection of slopes here with over 580 kilometers: The runs stretch above and below the tree line in the form of perfectly groomed slopes that have something for every skill level. In addition, freestylers can let off steam in dedicated snow parks and cross-country skiers on a wide network of trails. And those who don't want to strap boards under their feet can instead go on a winter hike and take a trip on a toboggan.

The region consists of a total of 12 villages in Switzerland and France. On the French side are the mountain villages of Abondance, Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets and the main town of Morzine. The bustling resort at 1,000 meters above sea level is ideal for adding urban flair to your ski vacation. There are numerous great restaurants and bars, chic boutiques and first-class hotels as well as chalets. Also, don't miss the Snowboxx Festival in higher Avoriaz!

Where to stay

SOWELL COLLECTION Hôtel des Dromonts
40 Pl. des Dromonts, 74110 Morzine, France
Tel.: +33 4 56 44 57 00
Web: sowell.fr
Price: doubles from €239