Skiers 'can look forward to good season in France'

The national tourist office of France has predicted that the country will enjoy another good ski season in 2008-09.

According to Maison de la France, some tour operators are already reporting strong ski holiday sales.

A number of the country's top resorts have invested in developments ahead of the forthcoming season, including Courchevel, which is set to open a new ecological project in 2009 consisting of six chalets with gardens.

People on skiing holidays will also see a boost in accommodation options when new hotels open in Chamonix, Val d'Isere, Tignes, Megeve and other resorts.

Jean-Pierre Courteau, UK director of Maison de la France, said: "French ski resorts are investing a lot of money to improve their accommodation and to offer skiers a greener environment and these improvements should help France to keep its pole position with British skiers."

He added: "There are now more flights from UK regional airports to the Alps and Pyrenees, allowing skiers direct access to the resorts."

Most of the major resorts in France are in the south-east, a region that can be accessed via flights to Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon and other destinations.

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