France ski holidays

Below Grenoble are the Southern Alps, where Alpine and Mediterranean cultures meld into a slightly slower-paced way of life. Resorts are a blend of behemoth and bijou; most definitely in the former category is Les Deux Alpes and its renowned nightlife. Again, the options are extensive – but prices are typically higher than further north.

Snowboarders will be in heaven: La Grave’s epic terrain is a free-riding playground of vertical drops, chutes and gullies, while uncrowded Serre Chevalier features countless tree runs.

At the far south, only 85km (52 miles) from Nice airport, is dinkier Isola 2000. Despite its petite size, there are ample pistes and modern facilities here – and the chance of a holiday combining skiing with Cote d’Azur beaches.

Over by the Spanish border, French Pyrenean ski resorts tend to be less showy, more family-oriented and – hooray – affordable. You’ll find France’s cheapest ski holidays here. Most renowned is the Grand Tourmalet, an area combining La Mongie and Barèges.

Look to stay in the handsome old spa town of Cauterets, whose classy 19th-century architecture overlooks thermal baths which are supposedly great for arthritis and rheumatism.

Seasons last from late November to mid-late April. Prices soar across the country during Christmas, New Year and the February half-term, while January tends to be cheapest. At the super-resorts in particular, lots of bargains are available.

There are various music festivals to look out for, headlined by the week-long Rise, held in Les Deux Alpes and featuring igloo discos and outdoor raves. Kano and Ms Dynamite are among former guests. Snowboxx puts on a rival show in Avoriaz, while free Rock the Pistes stages 80 concerts a day for a week on both sides of Portes du Soleil’s Franco-Swiss border.