The highest mountains in Europe have an attraction that goes far beyond skiing and ice and snow sports. From the south of France to the west of Slovenia, this mountain range is one of the most coveted destinations during the winter season. Its power of attraction is so great that even some of the most successful authors have been inspired by its wild and indomitable nature to write their novels. From Thomas Mann, in The Magic Mountain, to the most recent, such as Joel Dicker and Luca D'Andrea, with psychological thrillers, these are just some of the writers who have drawn on its magic to write works of international renown and who have already arrived to millions of readers.
It is clear that the Central European massifs are the ideal place for all types of tourists in the coldest seasons of the year. Of the three countries they occupy, Switzerland, Italy and France, we will focus on the latter. The French country offers numerous resorts and natural parks where you can stay, in addition to being the closest for all those who travel from the Peninsula – whether by private vehicle, bus or plane.
Go hiking with snowshoes, rest in the numerous spas and spas in hotels and rest centers, practice adventure sports or simply contemplate the impressive landscape with a book in hand in front of the fire. We present the three most popular enclaves in the French Alps to enjoy these Christmas holidays.
It is surely the preferred option if the plan is more family-friendly and you want to enjoy a holiday in the snow, with all the services at hand, in the most peaceful way possible. Although it has nothing to envy of the neighboring resorts and nature reserves, Tignes and Val-d'Isère (two neighboring resorts that make up the entire complex) are not known for their nightlife and party offerings.
The best option if you want to be quiet and very close to the slopes is to stay in Tignes, a municipality that rises to 1,810 meters and is usually surrounded by a thick layer of snow most of the winter. Nearby is Le Lac de Tignes, a more commercial area where you can go out to dinner, shop and rent equipment. Very close by is Val Claret, more focused on young people and with a greater range of pubs and nightlife venues.
It is one of the jewels of the colossi of the French side. It has been awarded the best ski resort in the world by the World Ski Awards for the eighth time in the eleven years of holding the awards. It is part of the Los Tres Valles domain, which offers no more and no less than 600 skiable kilometers.
If you have the opportunity, staying at Koh-I Nor (which means mountain of light in Persian) is an unforgettable experience. What was once inaugurated as the highest hotel in Europe – it is at more than 2,300 meters – still remains one of the jewels among high mountain accommodations. The price per night, however, exceeds 500 euros in high season.
Another option is Altapura, one of the most prestigious resorts in the world. With hot pools and an elegant Scandinavian-style interior, this 5-star luxury resort oozes après-ski splendor. Among the activities that can be done are paragliding, driving on ice or sledding on the largest track in Europe.
It is one of the most beautiful towns in all of France and an excellent destination in both summer and winter. Its popularity has grown enormously in recent years, as the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), the long-distance race that runs around the massif, has attracted many fans of high-mountain ultramarathons. Furthermore, the outstanding role of Kylian Jornet has contributed to many Spaniards coming every year to enjoy its privileged location.
For the less sporty, the best options are to stroll aimlessly through the town and soak up its Christmas charm, go up to the Aiguille du Midi by cable car – which reaches a height of 3,842 meters – or get close to the impressive Mer de Glace glacier. For the most demanding palates, La Tablée is a French cuisine restaurant very popular with visitors, and at Chez Constant you can taste the most coveted mushroom fondue in the area.
Before entering alpine terrain, there is a mandatory stop that should not be skipped if the opportunity exists, especially if traveling by private vehicle. This is Grenoble, also known as the gateway to the Alps, a city that does not stand out for being a tourist attraction, but it is this very fact that makes it an attractive stop. It has a majestic historical heritage, of which it is recommended to climb to the Bastille fort, take a walk around the Place Victor Hugo or go to an ice hockey game to see the Brûleurs de Loups in action.
