Kranjska Gora caters well for the convenience skier as most of the accommodation is no more thanfive minutes from the slopes

Kranjska Gora caters well for the convenience skier as most of the accommodation is no more thanfive minutes from the slopes. For variety, you could drive from there to the Italian resortof Tarvisio or the Austrian resort of Arnoldstein. Prices are reasonable – expect to pay about80p for a small beer in a bar, 75p for a coffee – but the atmosphere is more akin to Austria. The traditional alpinevillage of Kranjska Gora is located in the triangle between Austria and Italy, dominated by the Julian Alps. The three-star Club Alpina is located next to the gondola lift and just above Champagny’smain street.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
If you like skiing in the Alps but want to try somewhere different with good-value prices, it might be worth considering Slovenia.

If you prefer a more traditional village setting, Champagny is a small Savoyard village from where you can catch a fast 10-seatgondola to the main lifts of La Plagne in just seven minutes. It has a Mini Eldo club for four- to 12-year-olds, as well as other child- mindingfacilities from 9am-5pm. Hotel Eldorador is a moderntwo-star French hotel, again geared towards convenience skiers. A week in a Pierre et Vacances apartment costs from £67-£152 perperson including ferry crossings or Eurotunnel, based on seven people sharing a three-room apartment, and a week’s half-board at Hotel Eldoradorcosts from £299-£519, including crossings or Eurotunnel. Motours offers an apartment for a week at Club Alpina, Champagny, from£315-£553 (based on four sharing), including Eurotunnel or ferry crossings.
Where to stay
Pierre et Vacances has six different residences in the higher resort of Belle Plagne, all offering direct access to the slopes. Erna Low is the official representative of La Plagne TouristOffice and offers a wide choice in accommodation and package deals.

Skiing there really is paradise for the intermediate as there is such a large area (210km of piste), with lots of wide motorway cruising on thehigher slopes as well as pretty tree-lined runs down below. There is not much to test the expert but, for the majority of skiers, you can’t get much better.France is not really a budget destination, but the strong pound has made it much more affordable again. There are lots of cheap packages to La Plagneif you are prepared to drive and self- cater.
Getting there
Fly to Lyons or Geneva, then there is a two- to two-and-a-half-hour transfer to the resort. Accommodation is in studios or apartments that sleep upto eight people with buffet-style breakfast and evening meals.
La Plagne, France
Intermediate skiers will find lots of confidence-boosting skiing at this French purpose-built ski complex in the Tarentaise valley. La Plagne comprises10 villages, each with its own shops and facilities, most of which are purpose-built with door-to-door skiing, as well as a few traditional villages downbelow. It now has its own pool and 57 bedrooms, all with bath, shower, wc, satellite TV andtelephone. The “aparthotel” Sandi IV is close to the slopes and ideal for groups on a budget.