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Posts Tagged ‘Ski Slopes’

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.

Before you go on your trip, it is nice to make sure you can get the features you want in your choice of lodging. Some vacation rentals offer features that you do not have at home, allowing you to have more than a place to sleep at night, as you can actually relax without even going anywhere when you have a fireplace, hot tub, or a balcony with a great view. Consider each of these impressive additions.

Many vacation rentals boast private balconies or patios. If you want a view from the exterior of your lodging, you will have to request a room that is several stories up, in which case it should have a balcony that overlooks everything. If you prefer ground floor rooms, you will get a patio, which may not have much of a view. Either way, most locations should include some furniture in this area, at the very least, so you can sit down with a friend or relative. Chairs, tables, and ashtrays are often provided in most places that are rented out so you can relax and enjoy the outdoors during your trip, even when you do not want to technically leave the hotel. Some locations even offer a grill or fire pit, allowing you to cherish the nice weather while traveling.

Some rooms offer a private hot tub. This may be inside the room itself, permitting you to watch television as you warm up and relax. You can expect to pay extra for this feature, and you will usually have to request it ahead of time, but it is worth it if you want a truly relaxing trip. It is especially nice after a long day at the beach or the ski slopes. If your room does not have this feature, check the bathroom’s tub for jets, which can offer the same relaxing, massaging feel as a regular hot tub. Before you book a rental, just inquire whether any of the available units have this extra feature if you are interested.

Another item that some vacation rentals offer is a fireplace in the room. This is usually best if you are in a cold climate, and the use you get from it will vary depending on the season, of course. Even if the climate is mild, though, you can usually still use it as long as you sit far enough away to avoid the heat. You will still get that cozy feeling that people tend to associate with fireplaces. For many people, nothing is more relaxing and comfortable than sitting by a fire, so if this interests you, be sure to reserve a unit with this item. Before heading to your room, though, be sure to ask if the fireplace is electric or gas, as this will change how it works.

You can usually find out about these features on the website of the rental you are considering, though you can also call the office if you are unsure of which rooms offer them. You will probably pay extra, though, so be sure you will use these features. In addition, reserve the unit in advance since vacation rentals with these units usually get booked fast.

Whether it’s at Cooper Spur, Timberline Lodge, or another Mount Hood ski resort, you will want to find a place to stay nearby that will have the maximum comfort and amenities that your vacation budget can handle.

There are plenty of choices for Mount Hood lodging located either to the north or to the west of Mount Hood. Everything from hotels to motels, cabins, and vacation rentals can all be found within a 30 minute drive of any Mount Hood ski resort.

Let’s say you and your family want to skip the motel scene in lieu of other Mount Hood lodging options. Sure, staying in a hotel is what you and your family usually do on a weekend getaway or vacation, but this vacation is different. You want to be able to have a little more peace and quiet after a long day on the ski slopes or the tubing hill. Beside that you brought a larger group of people with you this time and you might not want to be in a motel in which your group will take up more than one room. For all you know, the multiple rooms your group has just might be scattered across the motel property.

It might not be a bad idea to look into the possibility of renting a cabin or some other vacation rental near Mt. Hood so that you and your family are able to stay together.

Because here’s the deal:

By staying at a hotel chain in Government Camp, your family will probably need to rent two rooms. For two rooms at even $100 per room, that essentially comes to $200 per night. For about the same money you and your family can take advantage of a wonderful Mount Hood lodging experience by renting a cabin near your favorite Mount Hood ski resort. There you will have the ability to remain relatively close to your family without getting each other’s hair.

Look at it this way. Even if the cabin cost an extra $15-$20 per night, the cost would be more than offset by the savings from the food you buy at the grocery store rather than having to purchase food a cafe or restaurant.

Just do a search on the Internet for different places to stay when you visit Mount Hood for your winter getaway. You’ll find a number of options in Government Camp, Welches, and Parkdale that will suit your wants and needs