Val d'Isere

Val d’Isere as a place to go snowboarding is amongst the best in France. However the most essential piece of kit you will need with you is your black Amex. It’s got a great lift system, a reliable snow depth and some fantastic riding - with loads of off-piste only a short hop from the lifts.

They are trying a little harder to make snowboarders welcome by holding events like the Big Day Out, and have built a snowpark which is now much better than Tignes', although together they make up Espace Killy.

The resort is set along one road starting with La Daille a few ugly blocks of flats that won a hat-full of French architecture awards in the 70's. You may find you’ll start or finish your day here, as it’s only a short free bus ride from the resort proper and home of the Funival funicular, which will whip you to the top of the mountain faster than Bush could invade any oil producing state.

The main village has been tastefully developed using a lot of the local stone. The main street is full of designer shops, restaurants and British bars, set back from the road are loads of hotels and chalets ranging from affordable to ridiculous.