A home to downhill skiing since the beginnings of the sport, it was the Winter Olympics of 1992, based around Albertville, a grim, modern resort, which really brought the French Alps into the international skiing spotlight. High altitudes (ensuring good and lasting snow cover), long and varied runs, extensive lift-networks, excellent facilities, superb vistas and relatively mild weather make for some of the most enjoyable skiing in Europe. At any of the resorts you can simply turn up, buy a pass (150-250F/¬22.88-38.13 a day, 800-1100F/¬120-170 a week) and rent equipment by the day, though if you are planning on coming just to ski, your best bet is to arrange an accommodation/lift-ticket package from home; the price will be better and you will not have to look for accommodation, which can be hard to come by. High season covers the Christmas and New Year period and February through to mid-April, and should be avoided both for high prices and crowds; resorts usually remain open until at least the end of April. Finally, make sure your personal and travel insurance covers you for possible ski-related mishaps. Detailed ski information can be obtained from local ski clubs and organizations, or you could look online at www.skifrance.fr .