Big names dominate the market, but smaller firms often know their resorts better and can offer lower prices. Here's the pick of this season's best dealsPeak Retreats to AussoisAussois is a charming and easily accessible resort with 10 lifts and 55km of pistes on a sunny plateau at the foot of the 3,697m Dent Parrach�e in France's Maurienne Valley. The historic village is built around a central square with a fountain in the middle.? From �86pp for seven nights' self-catering in R�sidence Les Flocons d'Argent, at the foot of the slopes with an indoor pool. Price based on five sharing a two-bedroom apartment sleeping up to six, including Eurotunnel crossing for one car. Depart 8 January or 19 March. Peak Retreats (0844 576 0170, peakretreats.co.uk)Skiweekends to MorzineMorzine in France is part of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area with its 195 lifts and 650km of piste. The traditional market town has a year-round life outside skiing and is linked on snow and by road with the farming village of Les Gets, which dates back to the 12th century. The downside is the area's low altitude, which means that snow-cover in the villages can occasionally be unreliable.? �299pp for four nights' half-board at three-star Chalet Club Les Gourmets in the town centre ? and five full days' skiing. Includes return overnight luxury coach travel (from London Victoria, Thurrock, Maidstone, or Folkestone). Depart 17 December. Skiweekends (08444 060600, skiweekends.com)Ski Peak to VaujanyVaujany is linked by cable car to the Alpe d'Huez ski area and has more than 200km of pistes. The village perches on a steep hillside around a church. Despite development, it remains a real French farming village, and it's a quiet and safe environment for children of all ages. The Oisans apartments are in the upper part of the village, near the handful of shops, restaurants, and a nightspot that's popular with teenagers.? �399pp for seven nights' self-catering at Oisans apartments, including flights. Depart 12 December or 9 January. The same holiday costs �617pp over Easter (10 April) and �727pp over half term (20 February). Ski Peak (01428 608070, skipeak.net) Lagrange to Les AnglesThis charming town is in the eastern Pyrenees on the border with Spain. It lies at the foot of the slopes, overlooking a lake. Although Les Angles itself only has 50km of slopes, the Neiges Catalan lift pass also gives access to eight nearby French and Spanish resorts.? �505 for seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment at the slope-side Prat de Lis. The price is for the apartment and includes return Dover-Calais ferry crossings for four. Depart 15 January. Lagrange (020-7371 6111, lagrange-holidays.co.uk)Family Ski Company to Saas FeeThe picturesque village is set against one of the most dramatic glacial backdrops in the Alps. At this high altitude, snow is assured, and there's a long vertical drop of 1,700m. You reach the higher slopes by the Alpin Express cable car and the world's highest underground funicular system, the Metro Alpin.? �409 per adult and �375 per child (under 12) for six nights' half-board at Chalet Hotel La Collina (based on four staying in a large family room), including unlimited wine, children's high tea on five nights, one night free baby-sitting, and resort transfers. Flights not included. Depart 9 January. At Easter (9 April) prices are �899 (adults) and �719 (children). Family Ski Company (01684 540333, familyski.co.uk)Hundred Hills to Val d'Is�re and TignesStill the single most popular destination for British skiers and snowboarders, Val d'Is�re is connected on piste with the high-altitude resort of Tignes, which has snow-sure skiing on the Grande Motte glacier. The short breaks specialist, Hundred Hills, has three chalets ? two in Val d'Is�re and one in Tignes.? From �150pp for three nights', �200 for four nights' half-board until 16 December, then from �280 for three nights, �360 for four nights. Flights not included, transfers at extra cost. Hundred Hills (0191-406 6160, hundredhills.com)Skiology to Les CarrozThe Grand Massif area ? comprising Flaine and the villages of Les Carroz, Morillon, Samo�ns, and Sixt ? has 265km of pistes. The resorts are close to Mont Blanc and have their own favourable microclimate. The relatively short 45-minute transfer from Geneva is another big plus point.? �499pp for seven nights' half-board (long weekends also available) at Chalet du Bois from 9 January. The chalet comes with Wi-Fi, and transfers are included for groups of eight or more. Flights not included. Skiology (020-7183 0688, skiology.co.uk) Ski Miquel to Serre ChevalierSerre Chevalier is not a single resort but the collective name for the dozen linked villages that line the main Grenoble?Brian�on road near the Italian border. Last winter a new leisure centre, Les Grands Bains, was built, in the village of Le Monetier, featuring indoor and outdoor thermal pools, and all sorts of imaginative extras such as a pool with underwater music ? you have to submerge your ears in order to hear it!? �550pp for seven nights' half-board at Chalet Hotel Charlotte, including flights, transfers, and a five-day ski guiding service. Depart 15 January. Ski Miquel (01457 821200, miquelhols.co.uk)Snowcoach to MayrhofenYou can't beat Mayrhofen in the Austrian Tyrol for variety and fun: great off-piste, fun parks and smaller resorts to visit nearby ? including the Hintertux glacier ? and friendly apr�s ski in dozens of wooden bars. Chalet Alex is at the bottom of the main street, with a bar and restaurant next door, and simple but big rooms. Dinners are communal but as sociable as you want, which suits solo travellers.? �378pp for six nights, seven days' skiing, including travel by coach and half board. Depart on 1 January. Snowcoach (01727 866177, snowcoach.co.uk). Felice Hardy is co-editor of the ski information website welove2ski.comSkiingFamily holidaysFranceEuropeAustriaFelice Hardyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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