Tucked away between mega-famous Chamonix and Megeve, the lovely Les Contamines resort remains surprisingly under the radar. It’s not the best resort for total beginners, but is ideal for intermediates. Those just out of ski school or second-weekers will gain confidence on Les Contamines’ wide, gently rolling pistes, and there is some fantastic, and easy, off-piste skiing between pistes. The ski area has stunning panoramic views over to Mont Blanc and the Beaufortain region, and on the lower areas skiers enjoy lovely tree-lined pistes.
The unspoilt Les Contamines village is quiet and quaint with pretty little wooden chalets dotted over a gently sloping hillside. There’s also a fine old church and a weekly market in the village square, all adding to the resort’s genuine small-town feel. Nightlife in Les Contamines is limited, and it’s not the place for wild après-ski antics, though there are a couple of low-key bars and restaurants offering a light dusting of after-hours fun. This is the ideal resort for a cosy family chalet holiday and has some wonderful, family-run mountain restaurants with fantastic local food.