Hotel Saint Charles, Val Cenis

· Continental buffet breakfast with cooked egg dishes · 3-course evening meal with table service (set menu with a choice for each course) · Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala meals included · vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available – please let us know about any requirements when you book

Tucked away in the lesser-known Maurienne valley, just a snowball’s throw from the Italian border, Val Cenis brings together a trio of traditional villages. It also boasts an excellent snow record thanks to its end-of-valley setting, where localised weather fronts often deliver extra snowfall. Add purpose-built, slope-side accommodation and you’ve got the best of all worlds – French charm, convenience and a sizeable ski area.

Once you click into your skis, there’s plenty to explore across 125km of north-facing pistes. High-altitude runs start up at 2,000m, with wide, confidence-boosting slopes perfect for cruising in style. As you go, you’ll catch sweeping views towards Italy to the south and over the Vanoise National Park to the north. And don’t miss the resort’s famous Escargot run – the longest green piste in Europe – which begins at Lac du Mont Cenis and winds all the way down to Lanslebourg.

Back in the villages, you’ll find a classic alpine look: chalet-style buildings clustered around the church, all wrapped in a warm, family-friendly feel. Across the resort there are over 40 bars and restaurants, ideal for laid-back evenings tucking into Savoyard favourites like fondue and raclette while toasting the day’s ski successes. And with most hotels and apartments set right at the foot of the slopes, you’ll be stepping out and skiing off again each morning in no time.