Several of the ski areas will grant you with some spectacular port. Skiing is best in the East but the west is improving. As it is a winter sport some basics you will need are ski pants (waterproof and warm), a ski jacket, gloves, a hat (toque) and thin socks. I have seen many friends - determined to ski off-piste or bust - persist to bang their heads against their lack of skill in anticipation, until they get it right. Skiing is all about balance and has nothing to do with balls



Skiing is individual's choice of the few sports where men and women take part in team, Skiing is immense sport but can be unsafe. Next to golf, it is not in fact a sport but a part of middle-class pretension. If you haven't had a catastrophe on the slopes, you have got to know someone who has, don't spoil it by taking unnecessary risks, being banned from the Mountain, or getting yourself prosecuted or tangled up in a court case is not worth it.

Skiing compared with off-pisting

Off-piste possibilities are different than on the Alps. The snow is rarely light powder, but spring skiing offers very good promise and even more so if you're ready to sweat for your turns. Off-pisting is more than this, and includes learning new technique to deal with persistently changing snow surfaces, as well as safety measures.

From a beginner's off-piste class, to being dropped off on the top of a mountain by a helicopter, to 'ski tours' (survival skills, camping and rock-climbing skill are a must), off-piste skiing is a winter sport all of its own.

Snowboarding and skiing trick and tips

In Les Houches there are schools to instruct you how Snowboard. Snow quality is regularly superb until late in the season, as the lifts go up beyond 11,000 feet furthermore Snowboards can be rented. The runs from Plateau Rosa downhill to the village are long and diverse (Ventina piste is my favourites), as are the runs to Valtournanche are superb. Snowboarding is very cool and invigorating

Snowy peaks sparkle as far as the eye can see, the winter sun, warm on the back, casts long shades across virgin snow and freshly fallen snow glistens on the branches of fir trees.