Les Sybelles

Les Sybelles is France's fourth-largest ski area but somehow one of its least-known internationally. Six traditional villages in the Maurienne, Saint-Sorlin d'Arves, Saint-Jean d'Arves, La Toussuire, Le Corbier, Les Bottières, Saint-Colomban des Villards, are linked by lifts across a series of ridges into 310 km of piste. There is no single glossy resort centre; the whole thing is spread out and undramatic, which keeps prices low. Terrain is generally gentle intermediate, with the exception of the north face of the Ouillon which holds serious off-piste. It is one of the few remaining big French areas where a family week costs less than half of the Tarentaise.