The French alpine region is the home to the best skiing in the world. The area plays host to several thousand ski enthusiasts each year between December and April. From the southern city of Grenoble to the northern villages in the Chamonix and Mont Blanc Valleys the French alpine region provides a winter wonderland for all winter activities.
Twice in forty years the region has played host to the Winter Olympics. The mountain peaks are covered with snow and the pistes are well groomed. Everybody who visits the area marvels at the breathtaking views and great winter activities. Several villages are now home to new winter snowparks that incorporate a full range of alpine and Nordic winter activities.
The village of Le Grand Bornand in the northern Alps near the Swiss border opened a new winter snow park in 2005. This recreation area maintains the ski pistes and runs that have made the region famous while also adding freestyle areas and half pipes for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.
The village of Chinaillon is located adjacent to the Le Bornand community and offers traditional skiing on several slopes. There is a large beginner's area that provides an open space for learners and beginners to gain experience and take lessons before attempting the other trails.
The Grand Bornand accommodation of choice is the chalet. There are many chalets in the area that are located in the towns or along the ski pistes. These chalets offer families a vacation home where they can stay and have meals each day before and after going onto the slopes. Many of these chalets offer a self catering option. This allows the guests the use of a full kitchen ability to prepare their meals every day. The self catering option allows groups to eat together and have the foods they like to eat prepared by them every day. To rent a chalet in the Le Grand Bornand area travelers should contact a travel agent or conduct a search on line for self rental options.
So if you are thinking of heading skiing this year then Grand Bornand wold certainly be an option. You could head to some of the bigger and better known resorts and, whilst they do have larger domains and excellent facilities, they are also more expensive and have greater crowds. If you want few queues and a traditional French resort full of charm and atmosphere then a small ski resort like Chinaillon could be just the place for you and your family to head skiing.