You want the snowboarding of Avoriaz, France, but your budget is £200? Go to Valloire, France…
Valloire is better known for cycling — as a classic climb in the Tour de France — than for skiing. However, it is also a relatively undiscovered French ski resort. Together with its linked neighbour, Valmeinier, it has 150km of slopes and 33 lifts. There's a huge variety of terrain spread across the mountainside, including one of the country's most important snow parks. Eat at Les Mérégers, which has a dramatic setting and a reputation as the best mountain restaurant in the area. A convenient place to stay is the Vallée d'Or, which is near to the piste and next to the gondola. The chalet-style résidence has an indoor-outdoor swimming pool.
From £55pp for seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment at
Les Chalets de la Vallée d'Or (ernalow.co.uk) based on six sharing. From next month, BA (ba.com) flies to Chambery from London City from £128pp.
You want the family-friendliness of
Arosa, Switzerland, but your budget is £250?
Go to Les Houches, France…
The relaxed atmosphere of Les Houches is a welcome change from the hectic pace of Chamonix, which is a (free) four-mile bus journey away. Les Houches has its own, surprisingly good ski area suited to all levels, with superb trails winding through the woods. A collection of small hotels and shops stretch out towards Chamonix, with accommodation set along the road and on the hill above. Les Houches might not strike you as a resort in its own right, but when it comes to price it's a world away from its neighbour. Whether you stay in the town or on the hill, it's a tranquil spot. Try the local specialities, made with market-fresh ingredients, at Le Hors Piste, located at the top of the Maisonneuve chairlift.
British Airways (ba.com/ski) offers four nights from £235pp based on two sharing at the three-star Hotel Du Bois, including London Gatwick to Geneva flights.
