FACTFILE
Tour operator Barry travelled With Ski Activrty (wwwskiactiVity.com). which organises trips to Europe. USA and Canada.
Travel If you prefer to go independently. www.flyglobespan.com and wwweasyietcom fly regularly from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Geneva. Transport to almost all of the resorts in the region can be found through wwwalpski-buscom. although some are accessible by rail. See wwwraileiirope.co.uk.
I For more information Visit www./esgets.com
Go with the snow
If Les Gets doesn’t suit your white stuff style, check out these other resorts, all within easy reach of Geneva airport.
Best for nightlife Val D’lsere
If top panying is as important as skiing. head to Val D'lsere. The rampaging apres skier can stomp about till the petite hours in bars and clubs that tend to be a bit slicker than yOur average ski resort jOlllIS. However. be sure to take plenty of Euros. as Val is not. Cafe Face. Le Graal and the infamous Dick's Tea Bar have cocktails. UK DJs. live bands and comedy nights. With the advantage of a chairlift ride to clear one's head in the morning.
(Morag Bruce)
www. va/disere. com
Best for snowboarders Les Arcs A boarder's paradise? Gorgeous tree runs. high glacial peaks and coul0irs. a boardpark With easy to hard as nails rated lumps and one of the world's largest ski areas (over 20()km of runs) followmg the link up With la Plagne. If the rest of the mountain is closed due to dangerous snow levels. I es Deux letes. Villaroger or Vallandry are perfect woody retreats. When it opens again, be first to the tOp of Aiguille Rouge; descending from 3226m in steep powder With Mont Blanc on the horizon. (MOrag Bruce) www./esarcs.com
86 THE LIST 19Jatt-7t-eb'2006
Best for families La Rosiere
Set in a forest in the heart of the llaute l'arentaise. l a Rosieie's v/ide. south facing slopes gather snow and sunshine in equal measure. It's especially good for beginners and I,» intermediates. but steeper inclines to satisfy the speed hungry appetites of older siblings can be found lust a quick glide over the Italian border to the linked resort of l a Thuile. Although it's giiite ' small. I a Rosiere makes a big effort to ,
keep its younger visitors entertained.
Les Gets (top) and La Rosiere (above and below): stunning vistas,
fresh air, and messing about in the sun. Something for everyone.
The weekly torchlight descent and fwev-rorks display remains a highlight for many. (Jules Grahami
www. i'arr )siere. net
Best for beginners Merlbel Nestled in the Three Valleys l)()l\'~.’(}(}ll glamour puss Couichevel and lofty Val Thorens. Menbel is a great place to get
mention a si/eable selection of restaurants. bars and clii is. Better stifl. should you decide that standing on a plank tor i‘.‘/()l of waxed fibreglass. on your first taste of the white stuff. The snow. on a hill. Just isn't a good idea, range of pistes cater for all standards and there are a number of excellent ski
there are plenty of other activities to try out including ice skating, snout/slit)eing.
schools to choose from. Despite its generous propertions. the resort has aipine charm in abundance. not to
hang gliding and climbing. lJules Grahami I wwwvnenbefnet
. . . cheap holiday tips. Travel fun and games for less.
I Home swap One of the best ways to save money on a holiday is by staying Willi a friend. but we haven't all got pals in beautiful places abroad so this is the next best thing. www.homeexchange. com has hundreds of homes to choose from and enc0urages members to get to know their potential swapper via email first before taking the plunge. The idea of allowrng a Virtual stranger to have the run of your house for a fortnight might be a terrifying prospect. but the v-Jebsite testimonials Suggest that the shared risk isn't a problem. More of a risk might be the Question of whether anyone in their right mind would want to spend a fortnight in in/r place. The membership fee is around 928 but after that. you get a roof over your head for nothing I Last minute deal If you can be fleXible about when and where yeti go. holding off until only a few days before you leave can knock a hefty chunk oft yOur total. www.teletextholidaysco.uk has some of the best deals. but it's a good idea to monitor prices fOr a while in advance because the cost can fluctuate quite dramatically. Some other good sites include www.octopustravelcom. www.0pOdO.CO.uk and of ammo the original -- and still one of the best « wwwlastminiitecoin. I Carry on camping The idea of sleeping under canvas is absolute madness for some people, but there's no doubt that camping, like knitting. is experiencmg a big reVivaI. The beauty of it is that not only do you save money on accommodatiOn but yOu get a completely different experience of a place and much more freedom to explore compared with staying in a hotel. There's a campsite tucked in near the Summit of Montserrat. near Barcelona. for instance. which gives yOu unforgettable mountain views when you wake up and poke your head out of the tent. Having the right gear is essential: check but www.cheaptentscom and www.0utd00rscotland.couk for bargains on equipment.