Montgenèvre, France

* Vast and varied ski area (the Milky Way)...

* Unbeatable nursery slopes...

* Excellent snow record...

Montgenèvre is a traditional French village enjoying an exceptionally snowy location high above the medieval town of Briançon, close to the Italian border.

The local area is particularly well suited to families with excellent nursery slopes and some remarkably extensive and gentle cruising terrain to progress to. More advanced skiers needn't be put off, with a staggering 400km of runs to explore in the Milky Way region and plenty of off-piste to boot.

Montgenèvre at a glance...

Resort height:	1850m
Slopes:	1760-2630m	(1390-2825m - Milky Way)
Pistes:	110km	(400km - Milky Way)
Snow rating:	☆☆☆☆☆

Suitability			Skiing
Beginners	☆☆☆☆☆		Blue runs	●	25%
Intermediate	☆☆☆☆☆		Red runs	●	55%
Advanced	☆☆☆☆☆		Black runs	●	20%

Resort			Transfer time
Charm	☆☆☆☆☆		Turin	1hr30
Convenience	☆☆☆☆☆		Grenoble	2hr15
Après-ski	☆☆☆☆☆		Milan	2hr45
Family	☆☆☆☆☆		Lyon	2hr45
Non-skiers	☆☆☆☆☆

Snow reliability

General snow cover	4/5
Snow quality – upper	4/5
Snow quality – lower	3.5/5
Resort level snow	4/5
Powder potential	3.5/5

The skiing

Montgenèvre's local slopes are spread widely over several different sectors with a good mix of open bowl skiing and woodland glades.

A number of exceptionally long greens (including one from the top of the mountain) make this an ideal resort for nervous or inexperienced skiers looking to build confidence. However, there is plenty to amuse all grades of skiers including lots of under-used off-piste.

Those looking to clock up the miles will also want to explore the Italian side of the Milky Way (Via Lattea) where the likes of Claviere, Sauze d'Oulx and Sestriere offer more options than you are ever likely to cover in a single week.

The resort

Montgenèvre has a pleasantly rustic and unhurried village atmosphere, thanks in no small part to the diversion of (previously) intrusive through traffic into an underground tunnel.

An interesting selection of cafés, bars and restaurants line the main street adjacent to the nursery slopes, and the locals are notably friendlier than in some bigger name resorts.

This is not a resort for night-owls, but there are a couple of lively joints including the Ca del Sol and the Chaberton. Non-skiers have some pleasant winter walks to enjoy, as well as the possibility of visiting the beautiful old town of Briançon down the valley.