Situated between the world-renowned resorts of the Tarentaise/Three Valleys and the Grandes Alpes, the scenic Maurienne Valley has some lesser known resorts which, whilst not generally linked, offer some great value skiing amidst beautiful mountain scenery. Access used to be a problem, but there is now direct motorway access to the Frejus Tunnel which joins the valley to Italy and Turin airport, and Chambery is convenient for resorts to the north. There are also good high speed rail links to St Jean de Maurienne with additional trains stopping at stations below some of the resorts during the main ski season.

Described as a place where ‘the sun of the south meets the snows of the north’, the Maurienne Valley has 12 resorts including the extensive Les Sybelles area whose 310km of piste make it one of the largest linked areas in France. Whilst each individual resort has plenty to offer in its own right, the Maurienne is also a gateway to Val Thorens and the Three Valleys via the cable car at Orelle. The pretty resort of Valmorel, whilst not strictly in the Maurienne, has an extensive ski area known as the Grand Domaine which crosses into the valley and is linked to St Francois Longchamp.

If you are looking for a self-catering ski holiday, the Maurienne Valley is a great place to find one at a competitive price. With ideal terrain for beginners and improvers, its friendly and unpretentious resorts also offer a variety of opportunities for more experienced skiers who can easily travel further afield to explore other areas if they wish.