La Plagne is a vast ski resort with an enormous vertical drop of 6,562ft (2,000m), double that of Aspen for example. One of Europe's largest resorts, La Plagne is made up of 10 different 'villages', six purpose built and four traditional that are connected by public conveyances and a lift system. As such it can boast the largest ski area of any single resort in the world, and its linked trail system (Paradiski) with Les Arcs means there are now 261 miles (420km) of trails and 144 ski lifts. This high altitude resort centres on apartment life; there are few hotels and its convenience makes up for its lack of charm. The highest complex at Aime La Plagne is 6,890ft (2,100m) is considered to be the most convenient with many of the best apartments, while the lowest mountain village, at 5,906ft (1,800m), is the neo-Savoyard Plagne 1800. The largest complex with the liveliest atmosphere is the original Plagne Centre, one of the first villages in Europe to be built catering specifically for the skiing season. The lifts are near to the accommodation and you can generally ski to your door. For beginners and intermediates, this is the best of the European ski resorts.
Skiing: As a high-altitude resort, the snow cover is reliable, particularly up on the Bellecôte Glacier (10,663ft/3,250m), and the terrain is extensive. La Plagne is one of the best resorts for beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders as far as prepared trails go, but there is also plenty of off-piste terrain and challenging runs from the glacier for experts. The scenery and views are stunning and can be enjoyed by all levels from the highest point, where trails for all abilities will lead even novice skiers safely down again. Intermediates will find more than enough to believe they are in skiing heaven, and beginners are well catered for with nursery slopes adjacent to all the villages and novice runs between centres. There are 17 ski schools and numerous skiing areas for children.
Shopping: Each complex of the purpose-built sections of La Plagne has apartments, with stores and ski shops all interconnected by tunnels and walkways. The underground passages are reminiscent of a subway shopping mall and shoppers will find clothes and accessories, bookshops, gifts, jewellery and handicrafts.
Restaurants: There are more than 50 restaurants to choose from in the resort, most of them in Plagne Centre.
Nightlife: There are several nightclubs in the resort, as well as cafes and coffee houses that offer live music, karaoke and concerts.
Activities: Besides the fantastic skiing and snowboarding, other activities include ice skating, dog sled rides, an Olympic bobsleigh piste, ice climbing, a night skiing slalom stadium, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing. Hang gliding and paragliding are also available. Some complexes offer outdoor heated pools, fitness centres, ten-pin bowling and electronic golf.
Negatives: The resort is not the image of a traditional village with many high-rise buildings and purpose-built complexes. Waiting times at lifts can be lengthy.

Les Arcs  A modern, purpose-built ski resort, Les Arcs comprises four resort villages situated above the town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, all linked by a free shuttle bus. Named after their respective altitudes, Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 are built with glass and concrete apartment buildings, purposefully designed with convenience in mind, while the latest addition to the resort, Arc 1950, has a more traditional guise and a typically European village style. The large and diverse network of well-groomed pistes more than make up for any lack of charm however, and the highest station at Aiguille Rouge Peak (10,584ft/3,226m) guarantees excellent snow conditions from December to April. Its vast trail system has been linked to that of La Plagne making the combined Paradiski area one of the largest interconnected ski and snowboard areas in the world. Arc 1800 is the biggest and most popular resort, consisting of four villages, and is the most conveniently situated for all levels of skiers and non-skiers, while just below, Arc 1600 is smaller, and suited to young families, although it can get crowded on weekends (direct funicular link to the town of Bourg Saint Maurice). More devoted snow enthusiasts prefer to head to the highest resort, Arc 2000, situated at the foot of Aiguille Rouge in the next valley, where the emphasis is on skiing and snowboarding rather than apres-ski facilities. It has easy access to the glacier and is linked to Arc 1950 by a free cable car.
Skiing: The vast terrain offers good skiing for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, with easy access to the excellent nursery slopes from all the villages for beginners. Intermediates are the most spoilt for choice, with abundant blue and red runs throughout the area, while advanced skiers should head to the high pistes above Arc 2000 and the black runs on the Aiguille Rouge peak. Off-piste opportunities are also available. Snow conditions on the higher pistes are generally good, and snow cannons keep the sunnier, lower slopes covered. There is also a good snowboard park with jumps and a half pipe at Arc 2000.
Shopping: There are supermarkets in all villages and a variety of shops, although Arc 1800 has the most choice. Arc 1950 also offers a wide range of shops, from clothes and souvenirs to sport equipment and rental. Arc 2000 has the least variety, and more serious shoppers should head to the lower altitudes for better options.
Restaurants: All villages offer a variety of dining options, from local specialities to international cuisine. Arc 1800 has the biggest variety, while Arc 1600 and Arc 2000 have only a few restaurants to choose from.
Nightlife: Nightlife is fairly low-key in Les Arcs, although all villages have bars and there are one or two nightclubs.
Activities: Les Arcs is a year-round resort with a huge variety of summer and winter activities, from climbing, hiking, horse riding and golf in summer, to sleigh rides, paragliding and snow-shoeing in winter. Bourg-Saint-Maurice is worth a visit and there are several interesting excursions to villages in the area, an ice grotto and several museums to explore.

Skiing: The unlimited ski area of the Portes du Soleil offers slopes for all levels of skiing and snowboarding at the foot of the Dents du Midi and the Dents Blanches, with wonderful panoramic views. The terrain covers about 404 miles (650km) of marked runs making it the largest ski area in the world. Both Morzine and Avoriaz have nursery slopes next to the resort, while intermediates have a playground of vast proportions in the Morzine area as well as throughout the Portes du Soleil circuit. Advanced skiers and boarders will find more than 20 black runs, endless off-piste and some of the biggest moguls in the world on the legendary 'Wall' at Avoriaz. Avoriaz is also one of Europe's top snowboarding destinations. Ski schools offer lessons to all ages from three years up, for all levels.
Shopping: Displayed in shop windows are a variety of local handmade goods and typical French flavours, such as traditional Savoyard pottery, sculpted objects made from the local wood and slate, mountain cheeses and salted meat. There are also fashion boutiques and sports shops.
Restaurants: Morzine specialises largely in fully catered chalet-style holidays, but for those looking for a night out there are a variety of options available. Traditional fare such as raclette, fondue, berthoud or diots can be found in establishments like L'Etale, Le Clin D'Oeil and Les Sapins, known for its home cooking, or gourmet Savoyard specialities in La Grange. Meals are well accompanied by local wines.
Nightlife: Après-ski is generally low-key and relatively calm, but several bars and discos offer a bit of after-hours entertainment. Boudha Café, Crépuscule and Le Café Chaud are fun for a party, and Opera Rock disco attracts a younger local crowd.
Activities: A wide range of activities is offered, both on and off the slopes. Cross-country skiing, night time sledging and sleigh rides, snowshoeing, paragliding and winter walks are some of the activities available. For something different, adventure parks offer a circuit made of ladders, swing bridges and zip wires between the trees, or try kite skiing and snowboarding. Other attractions include a visit to the slate mines or watching a cheese-maker in action. A sports hall has a fitness centre and ice-skating rink.
Negatives: The low altitude of the resort means that resort level snow is rare and there may be a wait at the lifts to access the mountains.

Val d'Isere is one of the true European ski meccas; it has some of the best, and highest, on and off-piste skiing in the world. The resort is linked with Tignes, and between them they have 186 miles (299km) of marked runs for every level of skier. Both resorts were developed, rather badly, in the 1970s, and large square hotels dominate the town. However, Val d'Isere remains popular with the English due to the great skiing and busy nightlife, which is centred on venues such as Dick's Tea Bar and the Moris Pub. There are also plenty of good French restaurants to choose from. The village is becoming increasingly busy in the summer when tourists flock there for walking or paragliding.
Skiing: The combined area of Val d'Isere and Tignes offers a massive amount of skiing for all standards. The nursery slopes just above the village are free and a number of companies offer first-rate instruction. As standards improve, skiers can make their way up the slope to the wide choice of green and blue runs. The Solaise slopes can be reached by cable car from the village centre and offer a variety of exciting piste skiing for intermediates and beginners, experts can drop off the sides for some powder. The Bellevarde slopes offer some good high-altitude skiing including a 3000-foot (1000m) run down to La Daille. Skiers from all over the world flock to Val d'Isere for its vast expanse of off-piste skiing; whatever your standard it's best to take a guide for safety and to help find the best powder.
Shopping: Val d'Isere has plenty to offer shopaholics, particularly those with large wallets wanting to look their best on the slopes. Prices are much more affordable towards the end of the season as shops clear the shelves for next year's look. There are mini-supermarkets and some wonderful delicatessens if you are self-catering.
Restaurants: There are more than 50 restaurants in Val d'Isere, most serving up a first-rate but pricey menu. Le Grande Ourse and Hotel Savoyarde are among the best restaurants in Val d'Isere but fine restaurants can be found on most streets. As is often the case, the smaller more intimate restaurants generally offer the best fare and it's best to ask a local for up-to-date advice. The same goes for the mountain restaurants - those at the lift stations are not great by French standards, but some real gems are tucked away and often only found by chance.
Nightlife: Apres-ski in Val d'Isere seems to be dominated by English speakers and bars such as Dick's Tea Bar and the Moris Pub fill up with Brits and Aussie skiers straight off the slopes. Many stay until the early hours before staggering back to their quarters still in their ski boots. Skiers can head to the four-star Hotel Christiana's bar for a more sophisticated drink or Victors for the Scandinavians. Dick's T Bar gets going after midnight with loud music and plenty of alcohol. The French go to Club 21.
Activities: Val d'Isere offers a variety of options for non-skiers including an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor ice-skating rink. Tandem paragliding and paragliding lessons can be arranged via the tourist office.
Negatives: Few chalets are within walking distance of the lifts, so skiers have to make use of the efficient bus service. Val d'Isere is very popular and slopes get crowded during school holidays. Val d'Isere developed quickly in the 1960's and 70's when there were few planning controls, and this is reflected in much of the town's architecture, however since the 90's all new buildings have had to conform with traditional styles, in keeping with the ancient village which the town grew up around.