Chamonix

Chamonix
The first thing that hits you about Chamonix is the scenery; you cant possibly drive into the town without being impressed. Being at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix was destined to be a popular resort from the start, nearly a century ago. Amazingly, Chamonix seems to have developed and matured into the perfect town, rather than being destroyed by ugly buildings and tourists like so many resorts. It has plenty of olde worlde charm, streets that you could wander round for days, a diversity of nationalities and more facilities than anyone could need. On top of this, the mountains are the best without a shadow of a doubt and the nightlife is incredible. The commute between the town and the mountains isnt ideal but its this fact that lets Chamonix maintain the feel of a real town, as opposed to a purpose-built resort, so well forgive this slight inconvenience.

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Avoriaz

Avoriaz
Avoriaz is completely unique. The design and architecture of the town is very 60s, but it was nevertheless well thought out and there is something spectacular and charming about its crazily angled structure, enhanced by its impressive setting on the edge of a cliff. One of the really exceptional features is that practically all the accommodation is ski-in ski-out.
As the village is car-free and very wide, everyone whacks on their equipment outside their apartment and cruises down to the lift a much preferable way to start the day than cumbersome bus journeys and long walks. The mountains are unquestionably superb, with Avoriaz being bang in the centre of the massive Portes de Soleil circuit that unites the slopes of France and Switzerland. If you are looking for luxurious accommodation think again there is only one hotel that could be described as such, Les Dromonts; most of the apartments are pretty cramped. 

Les Arcs

Les Arcs
Les Arcs has four resorts at different levels: Arc 1600,Arc 1800, the beautiful new Arc 1950 and Arc 2000. Arc 1800 (containing the three hamlets of Charvet, Villards and Charmettoger) isnt beautiful, but its one of our favourite parts of Les Arcs. Charvet and Villards are centred round slightly claustrophobic open-air shopping centres and Charmettoger is prettier in the trees but its a 1015 minute walk to the bars in Villards. The brand new Arc 1950 is stunning. Its still in the final stages of being built (due to be completely finished in 2008) by the Canadian company Intrawest, and it has a certain Canadian feel to it. The apartments are spacious and modern and the buildings are colourful. A few more restaurants and shops popped up last year, and you can expect Arc 1950 to continue to grow over the next year or two.