Before skis

Like every winter, nearly 10 million tourists should take the road of snowy peaks.

A few days before the test of the first snow , which will take place as every year in Val d'Isere from December 12 to 14 for men and from 19 to 21 December for women and mark the opening of the season, stations and specialized sites are full of offers to attract 10 million tourists who take to the road this winter peaks.
Where to go? For enthusiasts ski , no hesitation, the big massive allow tu peaks over 3000 meters and satisfy their urge to swallow miles of trails, jumping over bumps fields, beating the last record speed, hitting the famous Sarenne in Alpe d'Huez (Isère) - the longest runway in the world with its 16 km - or down the Vallée Blanche in Chamonix. And for those who want more, most of these sites organize evenings with altitude ski back to the foot to the station.
In families . There are now 43 stations labeled Famille +. The offers and services aimed at this population continue to grow , as shown in the catalog of the group The beautiful mountain. It is always possible to choose an accommodation in a low or medium altitude station connected by cable car to a larger area. Accommodation is generally more affordable and attractive resort town atmosphere more. A Brides-les-Bains (Savoy), the gondola of Olympus allows reach Meribel in the heart of the Three Valleys, in twenty-five minutes. Haute-Savoie, just eight minutes to reach the Grand Massif from Samoens.
Off downhill skiing. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding, skiing and Nordic walking attract more mountain lovers. Without entering into competition with the countries of Europe or North Canada , most massive offer beautiful routes in the countryside with stops in hostels or beautiful chalets outside the box. A different kind of holiday in the snow, sportier than we imagine, less expensive, offering other pleasures: gastronomy , wellness ...
December or March, he must choose for those who are required by the school calendar, a single board. avoid the weeks of horse winter holidays on two areas. This winter, the best times will be those of 7 to 14 February for zone A and 2 to 9 March 2015 for the area. For others, taking a few days in January or March to April without hesitation the most pleasant and most economical solution. In early spring, with fewer people on the slopes, softer snow, a warm sun and longer days. Three advantages particularly appreciated by beginners, smaller and older. Finally, for those who missed the early booking, they can enjoy in from March 22, the operation "Spring skiing" launched by the ski areas of France , which account 40 French stations. Budget side. The lift passes are usually a little cheaper on the Internet at the slopes. Hardware side, the big rental companies offer up to the day before departure, on the Internet, reductions of 20% to 50% for skis, boots, snowshoes ... Among the tips grappillés the Web: an introduction to ice climbing Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans (Isère), free discovery of the ski area with a monitor every Sunday at La Rosière (Savoie). A Vars (Hautes-Alpes), the trip back and forth between his home and the station is reimbursed for booking a stay of one week (accommodation and packages included). As for the resorts of Arêches-Beaufort (Savoy) and La Plagne (Savoy), they offer daily ski passes at reduced rates. Les Carroz (Haute-Savoie), you can share apartment and ski lessons.
Skiing shifted. No more traffic jams and goings from Saturday to reach the stations. After the success of the operation shifted Ski launched in winter 2014 in Isère, 15 stations of the department joined the movement. They offer this year customized stays (three or four days, weekdays or riding on a weekend ) or a full week avoiding book from Saturday to Saturday. A good idea that should appeal .

TRACK RECORD
Before leaving
For knowledge of the 250 ski resorts in France (weather, snow depth, lifts) www.france-montagnes.com
Ski "in offset" in 20 stations of Isère, www.skiez-en-decale.com
Family Stations More: www.familleplus.fr
Major ski areas
The Portes du Soleil (650 km of slopes between 1000 m and 2400 m altitude Avoriaz, Châtel, Morzine, Les Gets, Saint-Jean-d'Aulps, La Chapelle d'Abondance, Abondance, and four Montriond Swiss stations).
Les Trois Vallées (600 km of slopes between 600 m and 3230 m: Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Meribel, Courchevel).
Paradiski (425 km of slopes between 1200 m and 3250 m: La Plagne, Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger, Montchavin Les Coches, Montalbert and Champagny-en-Vanoise).
The Espace Killy (300 km of slopes between 1550 m and 3450 m: Tignes and Val d'Isère).
Sybelles (310 km of slopes between 1300 m and 2620 m: Le Corbier, La Toussuire, Le Corbier, Saint-Jean-d'Arves, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, Saint-Colomban-des-Villards).
The Grand Massif (265 km of slopes between 1100 m and 2500 m: Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoens and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval).
Read
Tracks plans. The ski areas of France, Laurent Belluard Marianne Novatus, Frédérique Novatus, Arthur Novat designed by Pierre Novatus (Editions Glénat, 2013).
To see
An auction of original panoramas Peter Novatus is organized by the Glénat Gallery from November 26 to December 10, 22, rue de Picardie , Paris .