Popular resort for Britons

VAL d'Isere is one of the most popular of winter sports destinations for British holidaymakers.

Nestling at a height of more than 7,200 feet in the Savoie area of the French Alps, it plays host to thousands of ski enthusiasts each winter. Most of the major British tour operators run packages there and the Britons who go are generally keen young skiers in couples and groups.

Although not the priciest of the French resorts, Val d'Isere, mainly a resort for good and advanced skiers, is not cheap and therefore tends not to attract many family bookings from the United Kingdom. It was the venue for the downhill race in the 1992 Winter Olympics and has many off-piste skiing areas.

The avalanche risks in these areas are all clearly marked each day and, if necessary, certain sections are roped off when conditions are considered too dangerous.