Bonneval-sur-Arc

The penultimate village in the Maurienne Valley before its winding road vanishes beneath a snowdrift, Bonneval-sur-Arc is the best option for anyone seeking a little peace and quiet while on a ski vacation. Don't worry about the fact that the bustling, large Val d'Isère is located on the opposite side of the Col de l'Iseran mountain pass. This is where the line ends in the winter: a location where the frantic pace of skiing slows to a thoughtful stroll, and a morning spent reading a book on a sun-drenched balcony seems just as crucial to the experience as flying down a recently groomed piste.

There are just 32 kilometers of pistes, and 11 ski lifts provide access to them. So schedule some time with a trainer and give something new a try. Additionally, day trips into the valley are crucial. The first pit break is at the village of Bessans, which offers some of the most dependable cross-country skiing in all of France. The second is in Val Cenis, where your six-day lift pass will grant you access to 125km of pistes (you can also ski in four other neighboring resorts). Most of the time, though, you should remain in place and explore Bonneval's medieval district while snowshoeing up the valley towards the tiny hamlet of Ecot and taking in the peace of the deserted slopes. Bewitching is the contrast with the rest of the Alps.

Location: Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France

Website: https://www.bonneval-sur-arc.com