Skiing in France

Young happy couple in winter mountains

© Peter Kirillov - Fotolia.com

Put the cappuccino on hold and check out of Paris. France has a lot more to offer than fashion and fancy coffee. Instead of the normal tourist traps, try taking on some ski runs in the French Alps on your next trip. With skill levels ranging from bunny hill to daring, there is something for everyone. Here are a few favorite areas to explore on your next trip abroad. Les Portes du Soleil More than a dozen resorts can be found in this northernmost area of the French Alps. This area is mostly attractive to families and beginners. That\’s because there are exclusive areas built for child play only as well as short runs at low altitudes. It\’s not all bunny hills though. In this area you will also find the self proclaimed French snowboarding capital at the Avoriaz Ski Resort. Les Trois Vallees This prestigious area of the French Alps plays home to the largest ski area accessible by a single pass anywhere in the world. You\’ll find close to 200 ski lifts to escort you to the tops of more than 300 slopes covering more than 600 km of area. This ensures that there are passes suitable to all levels of skier. When you\’re done on the slopes be sure to step into one of the many famed restaurants of Courchevel. Tignes Ensuring skiing is possible nearly year round in the goal in this region, but it doesn\’t come cheap. Resorts in this region are the most expensive in France, and you\’ll pay an additional premium for slopes higher than 3000 meters. Despite the cost you will find a variety of slopes here that will appeal to all experience levels. Many beginner slopes even top out over 2500 meters. Isola 2000 You will never hurt for sun or snow in this region of the Alps. The area trades all that sunshine for some of the coldest temperatures though, so be sure to bundle up. The resorts here are just a short hour drive from Nice and the Riveria making it a popular day trip among tourists.