We have returned to La Plagne for the past four years and are a little put out by the lift queues, we would also like to try somewhere new for half term.

These are the conditions:
-It must be an extensive resort (worthy of at least 4 stars in the book.)
-It must be within a reasonable driving distance.
-It should be fairly convenient
-It shouldn’t be La Plagne, St. Anton, Chamonix, Wengen or Cormayeur
-Small lift queues would be a bonus.

We have considered Zematt/Three Valleys. Please can you give us your thoughts

Hiya Jambo

How about Ischgl, Avoriaz, or Flaine (Grand Massif)? If you like St Anton, you ought to enjoy Ischgl - and its an easy drive from Innsbruck. Avoriaz and Flaine access large areas, are convenient and close to Geneva. Both with decent snow records too.

Zermatt and the Three Valleys are great. Zermatt is less convenient. Best to fly to Sion for a shorter transfer, and stay close to one of the lifts in town. Three Valleys is great - lots of choice. Most convenient and highest is Val T, but each base offers different +/- points, so depends on what else you favour.

Wendy

Went to Kappl this year on 2nd Jan for a week and was pretty much queue free the whole week, apart from a 10 minute wait on goldola first morning. Slopes and lifts deserted rest of week. Good place for kids if you’re taking them and just along from Ischgl as Wendy has commented on. Liked it so much we’ve booked ages ago for next year. Going 15th Jan so should be even queiter.

It depends what week you consider half term, but expect France to be heaving 19/2/10 and 5/3/10. Much as I love skiing in France I would give it a miss the last 2 weeks of Feb and the beginning of March. Instead concentrate on the other countries (I know little of how busy they get).

As Boabski says, the first week in January not including New Year is the quietest week of the season. It then gets progressively busier until early March when it drops off to May. New year week is also extremely busy

I am not sure what you mean by a reasonable driving distance, but assume you mean less than 10 hours from Calais (like La Plagne). I have a friend who pointed out to me that if you live in the south of England than it is almost as fast to drive to St. Anton as to fly so do not restrict yourself entirely to the western Alps.

Anyway my suggestions to examine include: Champuluc, Zermat and Verbier. Though even in quiet weeks I have experienced pretty long lift queues in each of these resorts. If you really fancy sticking to France then some of the extensive, but little known resorts such as Vars or Les Sept Laux may be worth looking into.

Basically expect anywhere in France to be busy from Feb 19th for the next 3 weeks

John

Thank you for the help we are now seriously considering Verbier and the three valleys

We have now decided on Zermatt, the apartment is booked and we are staying by the main Matterhorn Lifts. Any tips