Ski holiday company Peak Retreats has made a name for itself over two decades with the genius idea of offering holidays to the smaller French ski resorts that are less well known in the UK but share access to some of the world’s biggest ski areas. Peak Retreats covers both famous regions like Les 3 Vallées, but also regions that less well-known to the British market, like the Les Sybelles circuit.
These more obscure resorts typically offer an authentic, intimate holiday base and fast access to the same ski slopes as the famous neighbouring resorts.
To celebrate their 20th season, Peak Retreats wanted to complement its original selection of traditional resorts and add those famous French high-altitude resorts that make the French Alps a world-class skiing destination, catering for those who prefer a different style of holiday base.
The result is that Peak Retreats now offers an incredible 75+ French ski resort options and the choice of a “small but mighty” traditional resort or a “high and mighty” altitude destination designed specifically for skiers. To illustrate the choice this expansion means, Peak Retreats suggested some alternatives for three big French regions.
PARADISKI
Chalet Altitude, in high and mighty Arc 2000
One of the largest lift-linked ski areas in the world with 425km of slopes, 70% of it above a snow-sure 2000m altitude. The small but mighty choice is Peisey-Vallandry, in the heart of the ski area, where you can choose L’Orée des Cimes, 4★ self-catered apartments with a pool right by the Grizzly chairlift. The high and mighty choice is Arc 2000, the highest part of Les Arcs, with direct access to the highest and toughest skiing, as well as gentle slopes for beginners. Here you can stay at Chalet Altitude, spacious 4★ apartments just 50m from the slopes and lifts.
THE GRAND MASSIF
Small but mighty, Samoëns village – ©Christian Martelet
With 265km of slopes, a great snow record and one of the shortest, easiest drives from Calais (or Geneva) as well as fantastic panoramic views of Mont Blanc. The small but mighty choice is the atmospheric village of Samoëns, where a fast gondola lifts you from the village centre to high on the slopes. Stay at La Residence Club (new this season) with modern, mountain-style apartments, a heated swimming pool with a south-facing terrace, a sauna and a steam room. The high and mighty choice is Flaine with doorstep skiing and a car-free centre, staying at Le Centaure, a ski-in/ski-out property with access to an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room.
ALPE D’HUEZ GRAND DOMAINE SKI
Le Saphir, in small but mighty Vaujany – ©Manu Reyboz
Located in Isère, the heart of the French Alps, with 250km of slopes, and a top height of 3300m, the variety of terrain is impressive from glaciers to forests and wooded valleys. Small but mighty Vaujany has facilities well beyond what you’d expect from a small ski village with an impressive sports centre and a fantastic pool. Stay at Le Saphir with its spacious apartments offering superb views of the surrounding mountains. Or stay high and mighty in Alpe d’Huez itself, at Le Cristal de l’Alpe apartments which boast an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room.
All holidays include travel by Eurotunnel, with a free FlexiPlus upgrade on most dates. Accommodation only and travel by ferry and train can also be arranged.
Peak Retreats’ award-winning team know its resorts inside out and can guide you to the ideal resort for your ski holiday.
Book all these resorts and properties and discover even more online with Peak Retreats or call their team for a chat.
peakretreats.co.uk | 023 9283 9310
Main Image – ©OT Alpe d’Huez Laurent Salino