Set in at the foot of the Galibier pass, this resort is little known in the British holiday-makers’ circuit, but is fast becoming popular, especially with first-time and intermediate skiers and snowboarders who want to enjoy the wide sweeping pistes without the stress of the queues at the lifts or the crowds overtaking you from every side on the mountain. Since us Brits haven’t taken it over yet, it is also one of the resorts where we can guarantee you the best value for money.

With over 70% of skiing area above 2000m, the Valmenier area and that of its adjacent resort, Valloire, boast exceptional snow records – and it’s one of those places where after a snowfall you can be sure there’ll be fresh tracks off-piste for days afterwards. There are over 150km of pistes to explore, most of which are red and blue, so learners have the advantage of not being stuck on the lower slopes and instead having a much freer reign all over the mountain.

The village itself is traditional French, with alpine authenticity and great food. It does certainly have a great family atmosphere, with plenty of after ski activities for all the family including bowling and night skiing. However it does still have plenty of good little bars and restaurants too, with a lively little atmosphere. Valmenier manages to strike a good balance.