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Easily accessible from the UK, over 300,000 British holiday makers head for the French Alps every year. But what draws them there and keeps them returning?

France offers the chance to sample a wide range of different levels and styles of skiing, making them a great destination for group ski and family holidays. Home to one of the largest ski areas in the world, the Alps extend over 700 miles, the highest point being Mont Blanc at 15,784 feet above sea level. Mont Blanc lies between the Aosta Valley in Italy and Haute Savoie in France.

The French Alps are largely made up of interlinking ski slopes and villages, each with it’s own unique feel. There are over 230 resorts to choose from, ensuring whatever your taste or budget, you’ll find what you are looking in your skiing holiday. French ski resorts have mastered the art of catering for all, whether you are looking for a peaceful family trip or a party atmosphere, you’ll find it here, at all levels of catering and luxury. French snowfall is well know for being particularly reliable, and when the skies don’t open a large number of resorts have snow cannons to even out the surface and minimise ice and grass patches on the slopes.

In days gone by a skiing holiday could be hard work. The walk to the ski lift in ski boots, hauling your equipment whilst trying not to slip or lose the kids was a regular feature, and not a great start to a day intended to be filled with fun sports and playful activity. Times have changed and French ski resorts are now well equipped to deal with the number of visitors they receive. Regular buses roam the resorts, shuttling skiers from resort to lift, ensuring you still have most of your energy by the time you reach the slopes. These buses are often most appreciated when on the way home from a busy day on the pistes, saving that potentially long walk back.

The largest ski area in the French Alps is the Grand Massif, tucked in between Geneva and Mont Blanc, making it not only convenient for airport access but close to the famous highest peak of the Alpine region. With over 265km of piste not only does this region offer a variety of slopes for every level of skiing ability it is also less prone to queues, great for maximising your skiing time during your holiday. Far from being the concrete jungle you may expect from the largest ski area in France, the Grand Massif is made up of a number of small, quaint villages, with the only purpose built ski resort being Flaine.

Those new to skiing can participate in one of the many ski schools available within resorts such as the famous ESF who cater for all ages and levels of ability. Ski schools in France allow the more experienced skiers in the group to enjoy some of the more challenging slopes while their less experienced counter parts learn the basics and gain confidence, often getting back together as group after the lesson for a group skiing outing to practice what has been learned. Ski schools are a great way of making sure everyone gets to ski at their own level without having to leave anyone behind.

Samoens lies at the foot of the the Grand Massif in the French Alps. It’s a popular holiday destination in both summer and winter. It is the only ski resort to be listed by the Caisse des Monuments Historiques and a ‘Land of Art and History’.

In summer visitors can take advantage of numerous activities such as horse riding, white water rafting, golf, via ferrata, and of course hiking, walking and climbing.

In winter Samoens is a popular, but not crowded, ski and snowboarding destination with links to many other ski resorts. The Grand Massif is one of the largest ski areas in the French Alps, with plenty of slopes for all levels of ability.

But what of the village itself? Samoens is situated in the heart of the Haute Savoie, a beautiful traditional farming village, making it a far cry from the concrete jungles you find in many ski resorts. It has nine hamlets, all part of it’s rich heritage. The ‘Gros Tilleul’ (large lime tree) in the centre of the market place dates back to 1438, planted to celebrate a ruling passed by Duke Amadeus VIII of Savoy. The ruling stated that the inhabitants of Samoens owned the Freterolle, Chardonniere, Vingy, and Cuidex meadows in the Manche valley nearby.

There are nine chapels in Samoens, plus shrines spread through the hamlets and surrounding areas. Two of the chapels have been physically relocated in the past, the chapel in Le Berouze was badly damaged during Swiss invasion of 1476, and the stones were moved down the mountain from Col de Couz to build the new chapel. The chapel in Mathonex was founded in 1656, but was demolished by rockfall due to it’s precarious location. In 1901 it was rebuilt overlooking the Giffre Valley. A beautiful shrine was built nearby in 1747, but sadly it’s Virgin Mary was stolen a few years ago.

Samoens has a history of stone cutting, and the beautiful stone building stand testament to the stone cutter’s skills. These stone building are surrounded by tasteful chalets, the village prides itself on it’s beauty and traditions making it one of the prettiest villages in Europe. The Upper Giffre Valley has a high quantity of limestone, and the farming village supplemented it’s income by cutting and selling the stone. By 1659 the stone cutters has become famous their skills were called upon by many. They set up a brotherhood which helped care for the sick and wounded, trained apprentices, and built a library. They were called upon by Vauban, and Napoleon to assist in the building of fortifications and canals, such was their reputation.

If you are looking for ski chalets in the French Alps Absolute Alpine offer two beautiful chalets, fully catered or self catering, and an apartment in the heart of the village in both summer and winter.

Skiing does require a little planning and research before you go, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold when you choose the right resort.

Choose your location – Whether you choose to stay in your own country or travel abroad, research the areas you are interested in and shortlist the ones which fit most of your ideals, and your budget.

Pick the right resort – Make a list of everything that is important to you for your skiing trip and make sure the destinations you have shortlisted will fulfil your needs. For example, will you need a nursery? What type of bars and restaurants does the resort have? Who is the resort aimed at, for example is it a destination for 18-30 year olds, a family resort…

Pick the right accommodation – Depending on your budget you may wish to stay in a chalet, apartment, or hotel. Luxury chalets are available all year round in some resorts, such as Samoens in the French Alps. Check availability, reviews from guests, and proximity to amenities and lifts.

Stay warm – Sub-standard clothing or a lack of layers may leave you cold and tired. Be sure to layer up, remember gloves, scarf, hat, as well as your jacket and pants which should be waterproof. You will need a little room, but not too much, in your clothes as skiing requires a fair amount of bending and flexing. And don’t forget your sunglasses!

Equipment – Talk to your assistant in the hire shop. They are highly knowledgeable and will make sure you get the right skis based on the information you give them. Your skis have blades on the edges which cut through the snow so be careful when carrying them with bare hands.

Finding the right ski boots can be a bit more of a chore. Again the assistant will help you, always be honest with them about how comfortable your boots are. Take a pair of ski socks with you to try on at the shop, as they make a huge difference to the fit of the boot. You should have a little room at your toes but make sure your heel cannot move upwards once the boot is on and fastened. Ill fitting boots will cause you problems very quickly. If they are too tight you will become uncomfortable very quickly as your legs and ankles take a lot of the pressure when skiing. If they are too loose you will lose some control of your turns and have to work harder to regain power over your manouvres. With all hired equipment don’t be afraid to take it back and swap if you have any problems, everybody is different and the shop are quite used to it.

Planning – Find a ski resort with a good learning program and enough green slopes (and may be the occasional red) to keep you entertained when you feel confident enough to ski the slopes. Virtually every resort will have a ski school which you can read up on to check it will suit you. Remember to never ski alone under any circumstances or if you must, always have a mobile phone or some way to contact others.

Etiquette – There is some etiquette in skiing. General rule is that if you are higher up the slope, you are responsible. It’s really important to be aware of others around you at all times, especially those below you as they can’t see you.

Europe has many great ski resorts with an abundance of learner slopes and great ski schools. Samoens in the Grand Massif, French Alps lies in the heart of the Haute Savoie. A great destination for all levels of skier with links to other resorts. Samoens chalets are built in a traditional Savoyard style I keeping with ‘one of the prettiest towns in the French Alps’.