The Best Canadian Online Casinos
Overview of the Canadian Online Casino Landscape
If you are planning your next luxury winter getaway, the French Alps need to be on your must-visit list. The snowy wonderland of the Alps provides countless slopes for both beginners and experienced skiers, as well as breathtaking views, high-end accommodations, and Michelin-star restaurants.
Whether you are an avid skier looking for the perfect slopes to increase your adrenalin levels or you just want to experience the lavish lifestyle and fine-dine in some of the best restaurants with scenic views of the French Alps, we have you covered. Join us as we unravel some of France’s most luxurious ski destinations.
Chamonix
To kick things off, we take you to Chamonix, the most popular and most-visited ski destination in France. This small little town sits at the base of Mont Blanc, one of the highest peaks in Europe.
In the Chamonix Valley, there are five ski areas, including:
- Brevent/Flegere
- Aiguille du Midi
- Les Houches
- Les Grands Montets
- Balme
Overall, in the Chamonix Valley, there are over 173km of varied slopes for both skiers and snowboarders. In the summertime, this winter wonderland turns into a hiker's paradise, with numerous trails along the valley.
In the heart of town, you will also come across Casino Barriere, a building that dates back to 1860. Besides the various bars and the restaurant, on the gambling floor, you will find multiple tables that host blackjack, roulette, craps, punto blanco and poker. In fact, France is filled with great casino resorts that are convenient for a luxurious vacation, whether your goal is to entertain yourself at the casino or to be in a nearby ski location. Considering some of the top recommended venues by CasinosEnLigne.fr can improve your holiday planning immensely, especially in selecting accommodations, dining, and entertainment options. All of the mentioned casino resorts come with great recommendations concerning accommodation, cuisine, and opportunities for outdoor activities, such as skiing trails.
Chamonix is also known for its off-piste runs, with the Vallée Blanche 20km descent being the most famous in Europe. When it comes to luxury accommodations, nothing comes close to the 5-star Hameau Albert 1er hotel.
This 20th-century stone-built structure embodies opulence, with indoor and outdoor pools, spas, cozy suits, and a gastronomic Michelin-star restaurant that provides a one-of-a-kind experience. Chef Damien Leveau is responsible for every dish, fusing local cuisine to create not just a delicious meal but also a tasteful experience that will be ingrained into your taste buds.
Courchevel
When we talk about extravagance, we can’t look past Courchevel. Nestled in the center of the French Alps, this luxurious ski destination is divided into four villages. When it comes to glitz and glamour, Courchevel 1850 is the highest and most prestigious of the four villages.
Perfection is what this area strides for, whether it is the inviting slopes catering to both beginners and experienced skiers or the 5-start hotels, with 3, 2, or 1 Michelin-star restaurants. Even outside of the accommodations and skiing opportunities, the area has designer stores and even its own airstrip for private jets.
It is the only ski destination where you will have a difficult time picking which Michelin-star restaurant you would like to visit. 3 Michelin Star Le 1947 à Cheval Blanc is without a doubt the top choice, with Chef Yannick Alleno and his team creating dishes out of this world.
Lower on the list, but also providing top-tier dining, are the 2 Michelin Star Le Chabichou and Le Sarkara, where Chef Stéphane Buron and Chef Sébastien Vauxion will have your taste buds screaming for more.
When it comes to skiing, Courchevel is part of the biggest ski area in the world, called the Three Valleys. With a total of 63 lifts, skiers and snowboarders can choose between 119 different slopes, varying in difficulty.
Val D’Isère
Next on our list is Val D’Isère, one of the highest points in France for skiing and snowboarding. One advantage the Val D’Isère has over most other ski areas in France is the year-round snow cover.
Closely connected to the Tignes area, both converge to form 300 km of slopes, mostly recommended for experienced and veteran skiers. At Val D’Isère, you will have the chance to go down La Face de Bellevarde, which is an old Olympic downhill course similar to the one at Canada Olympic Park near Canmore, Canada.
Alongside world-renowned ski slopes, Val D’Isère also provides visitors and skiers with marvelous hotels, exclusive spa centers, and charming chalets, all sporting breathtaking alpine views. You can even visit the Aquasportif center, where you can indulge in swimming and various sports activities. Right at the center of the village, you can even visit an ice rink, where you can rent out ice skates and try out ice skating.
A major point of interest is the lively nightlife, with dozens of restaurants, clubs, and bars, including La Folie Douce and Cocorico, scattered all over the main village. When it comes to dining, L’Atelier d’Edmond offers all guests Michelin-star French cuisine, top-off with an endless wine selection.
Val Thorens
As part of the Three Valleys area, Val Thorens is not only one of the biggest ski destinations with over 150 km of slopes but also takes the crown for the highest resort for skiing in France. It sits at an altitude of 2,300 meters and has perfect ski conditions all season long, beginning in November and stretching to the spring season.
Most of the downhill slopes you will encounter will be for experienced skiers, but there are also mild and short pistes for beginners and children. Because the lift system is linked with all other areas in the Three Valleys, you will have access to more than 600 km of slopes in Val Thorens, Meribel, Courchevel, La Tania, and St Martin De Belleville.
Luxury is also a part of the vocabulary when describing Val Thorens, giving props to its one-of-a-kind chalets like the Chalet La Datcha and 5-star hotels such as Hotel Koh-I Nor. Comfort and exclusivity ooze from these establishments, which sport indoor and outdoor pools, spas, interiors suited for high spenders, and terraces offering stunning views of the valley.
Fine dining is also available. From the gorgeous environment at the Le Chalet de la Marine to the one-Michelin-starred Les Explorateurs, you can taste the local delicacies and specialties while gazing upon the winter wonderland outside the windows. You can have some fun at a variety of popular bars, such as La Folie Douce and Le Saloon, which operate all season long.
Meribel
In the dead center of the Three Valleys area sits the Meribel ski resort. Considering it is a forested area, Meribel looks stunning all year long. Being in the heart of the Three Valley area, visitors and skiers can easily get access to other resorts thanks to the lift system connecting Val Thorens and Courchevel with Meribel.
This unlocks the potential for beginners and veteran skiers to explore more than 600 km of slopes. At the main resort, 45 lifts will provide access to all 67 slopes and various restaurants located in the area.
While there is a variety of local establishments, you can always visit the L’Ekrin, the 1 Michelin-star restaurant, for a more elegant dining experience.
There are multiple accommodations that you can book, but wooden chalets are the main attraction and the embodiment of luxury in Meribel. Most of the high-end chalets come with outdoor pools and hot tubs, saunas, and even private cinemas. The entire resort is sectioned into three areas: Meribel Village, Meribel Center, and Meribel-Mottaret.
If you want a cozier, family-friendly atmosphere, Meribel Village should be on your list. On the other hand, if you want a buzzing, high-energy atmosphere with all sorts of bars such as the La Folie Douce, restaurants, and clubs, head to Meribel Center. Finally, if your primary goal is skiing, Meribel-Mottaret offers accessible trails to the slopes.
Megeve
Last on our list of the top luxury ski destinations in France is Megeve. This old French town, nestled in an expansive valley, will provide picturesque and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc every time you hit the slopes.
The resort sports over 80 ski lifts that will take you to numerous pistes spanning over 400 km. You will find a good mix of green, blue, red, and black runs, suited most for beginners and intermediate skiers.
When it comes to accommodations, the cobblestone streets will lead you to a variety of chalets and hotels. Some of the more prestigious places to stay include the Four Seasons Hotel Megeve, Les Fermes de Marie, and Chalet Zannier. No matter which one you choose to stay at, you will experience high-level comfort, thanks to the cozy suits, various indoor pools, saunas, hot tubs, and spas.
There is an abundance of alternative activities in Megeve, including dining at Michelin-star restaurants like Flocons de Sel and La Ferme de Mon Père. There are also elegant lounges where you can taste the finest wines and busy bars where you can dance and sing late into the night.