Christmas Skiing - Choose a French Ski Chalet in a Traditional Alpine Village

France is probably the top ski destination in Europe as it has such a wide variety of resorts and excellent ski infrastructure. In addition it's very easily accessible for British skiers with flights to and from many regional airports. Many French ski resorts open during the third week of December, but that doesn't always mean there will be good skiing at Christmas time! France is probably the top ski destination in Europe as it has such a wide variety of resorts and excellent ski infrastructure. In addition it's very easily accessible for British skiers with flights to and from many regional airports.

Many French ski resorts open during the third week of December, but that doesn't always mean there will be good skiing at Christmas time! If you've carried out some research when planning your skiing holiday, you will know that it's wise to go for high altitude resorts, preferably with a glacier, to ensure superior, snow-sure conditions at Christmas time.

However, if you are looking that magical Christmas feeling, remember that many top French ski resorts are purpose-built and relatively new. Whilst they are excellent in many ways, they lack the alpine charm that traditional villages have at Christmas time. Bricks and concrete box structures are just not quite the same as beautifully constructed wood and stone chalets!

Villages such as Val d'Isere have kept their traditional feel with a central square, markets, and attractive stone buildings such as the centuries-old baroque church, which commands a central position in the village. The exteriors of new buildings are in keeping with traditional Savoyard architecture, whilst comprising elegant modern interiors. The village exudes a timeless quality, which is not really surprising as it dates from the eleventh century! Some of the most beautiful buildings are luxury ski chalets, a few of which can accommodate parties of up to 20 people.

Val d'Isere, a French ski resort with a unique traditional charm, has a thriving resident population all year round. Many families can trace their ancestry through countless generations in the Savoyard locale. As well as being one of the top destinations for all different types of snowsports, there are also various cultural activities and local events which make for a lively local community.

Of course, Val d'Isere also ticks all the boxes when it comes to planning a successful ski holiday. The resort benefits from an altitude of 1850m, it has over 300km of pistes in the Espace Killy ski area, it has one of the most extensive and efficient networks of lifts, tows, gondolas and cable cars. Of particular interest to early-season skiers is the famous La Grande Motte glacier which offers two thousand vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding, and keeps temperatures down! A catered ski chalet will take any holiday stresses away and allow you to enjoy a wonderful and relaxing Christmas.

There are many other rustic ski villages in the French alps to choose from. Some of the best-known ones situated at altitudes of more than 1500m include Courchevel and Meribel in Les Trois Vallees, Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, and La Rosiere.

Top Tips on How to Choose Your Rental Skis

There are a few things to consider about rental skis, the first big question is whether you should buy or rent. You should rent.

Honestly, unless you are skiing at least 3 times a year, the development in ski technology means that you will be hard-pressed to justify buying skis or a snowboard in terms of value for money, and add to that the hassle of organising extra baggage on flights.

The amount of choice that exists now means that you should never put up with skis that aren't right for you, no matter what your experience level or fitness and body type.

There are different factors to take into account, and its vital to be completely honest with the staff in the shop. Don't be thinking that the better skis you have the better you will ski! A novice will struggle on skis for experts, and an expert will be limited by beginners skis. Here are the things to bear in mind when choosing:

The length of the ski (or board)- the shorter the ski, the easier it is to turn, but the less stable it will be at high speed or in fresh snow.

The width - Similarly, narrow skis are easy to turn, but not so good in deeper fresh snow, where they will dig in and slow you down.

The condition of the ski - surface damage isn't anything to worry about, but the base of the ski and the edges are the important bit. These should both be smooth and without any holes or cracks.

The Sidecut - this is the word to describe the hourglass shape that new skis have. the bigger the difference between the middle and the tip, the faster it will turn. So if you want to be doing loads of short quick turns, then you want an exaggerated shape, or a less dramatic sidecut for longer turns or powder skiing.

Your own attributes - your height, weight, ability and style of skiing will have to be taken into account. Be absolutely honest to get the best results, and don't lie about your weight, as this will help set the strength of your bindings keeping you on your skis. Bindings set to the wrong weight are actually more dangerous if you fall.

Flexibility of the ski - the harder the ski, the more stable it will be, but the more work it will be to turn, as a beginner a soft ski is more forgiving and easier to learn on.

Freestyle ski's/ twin-tips - if you want to have a go at the snow park, then twin-tips with plenty of 'pop' are for you, though a really soft ski will not give you great control in less than perfect conditions elsewhere.

Snowboarders can use the same tips here, though shop selection is often a bigger factor, with most resorts having specialist snowboard shops which will have greater choice and more knowledgeable staff.

So there you are. I hope I cleared things up for you.