Pralognan la Vanoise

Praise goes to the quality of the skiing without the crowds. Reviews note a vertical of close to a thousand metres, neatly groomed pistes and virtually no queues, with three chairlifts from Mont Bochor spreading skiers across the best terrain. There are serious black runs as well as plenty of easy snow, and tree sheltered pistes that lead back into the village. The resort is seen as much cheaper than its neighbours, and the village sits at a dead end valley with no through traffic.

Size is the recurring complaint: a competent skier covers the twenty seven or so kilometres in a day, and a full week feels like a stretch. The village lies at the bottom of a cold, shaded valley and sees little winter sun, something reviewers mention repeatedly. Apres ski and nightlife are minimal, there is no top end lodging, and beds sell out fast because many non-skiing visitors come for the national park.