The climate in the French Alps is generally milder and drier than in the American Rockies or the Northeastern resorts. Face-masks are unheard of and high-altitude terraces draw sun-worshippers even in January. French resorts receive an average of 350 inches of snow from December through April and count some 129 days of sunshine in the same period.

In France, trail markers rate runs green for novices, blue for intermediates, red for advanced intermediates and black for experts. Dotted lines on a trail map indicate that a run is off-trail, or off-piste, and should be taken only with a qualified guide.

You’ll conquer the ins and outs of vast French resorts more quickly if you ski with a guide or instructor for the first day or two. Group lessons and private lessons are available. Special rates are available for multiple-day lessons. Personal guides for up to four people for a full-day can be arranged. It is customary to offer your guide or private
instructor a gratuity and lunch (unless your lesson is a half-day long).

French resorts groom 75-90 percent of their marked runs, and nearly 1,000 acres in the French Alps are outfitted with snow guns to ensure favorable conditions in high-traffic and base areas. For guaranteed snow, aim for high-altitude resorts, north-facing slopes, and lift-served glaciers. (Alpe d’Huez, Chamonix, Les 2 Alpes, La Plagne, Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Tignes.) France lays claim to Europe’s highest peaks and resorts, ensuring good snow and extra-long runs. Vertical drops in France are much greater than those in the Rockies (averaging 6,000 feet as opposed to 3,000 in the U.S.), but because base elevations are lower, there’s less need to acclimatize.

If you are attached to your equipment, bring it. Or take boots and rent the rest. Rental equipment is generally of high quality.

Purchase of the Carte Neige skier’s insurance covers mountain rescue and medical expenses as well as reimbursement of the unused portion of your lift pass in case of accident. Available in every resort, it costs around $35 to $50 for the season. Ask the local tourist office or ski school for details.

You’ll find everything from no-frills apartments to luxurious hotels: cozy, family-run inns, three-star hotels, well-known chains and chalet rentals with or without staff. Private baths, telephones, and televisions are found in all but a few hotels, and fax machines, fitness centers, saunas and swimming pools are becoming standard issue. See individual resort brochures for specific hotel information, as well as telephone and fax numbers for central reservations offices.

French ski areas have long considered family comfort a priority. All resorts have at least one day-care center where parents can leave their children from infants to three year olds while they ski. Some begin at three months, others at six. For older children, "snow gardens and ski schools provide excellent bilingual programs with half- and full-day options. Don’t forget to ask about discounted and free lift tickets for the youngest ones as well as off-season hotel/ski school/ski-pas packages for the family.