The French Alps look set to be more popular than ever next year as winter sports enthusiasts escape the crowds of Canada to enjoy some of the world's finest slopes.
With Vancouver set to host the 2010 Winter Olympics in just a couple of months, many Canadians are already looking to get away for a few weeks, with a significant number likely to look to the guaranteed snowfall and challenging pistes of France for their winter-fix.
Writing in the Toronto Sun, travel expert Ilona Kauremszky advised one such couple that the Rhone-Alps region hasn't gained its reputation as one of the finest skiing and snow-boarding destinations on the planet for nothing.
"The Rhone-Alpes region is by far the jewel in the crown of France's ski regions. No wonder," she wrote.
"The world's largest ski area - imagine six major ski resorts in one place and you get the picture- the area is also heaven for non-skiers as spas and gastronomy are popular."
The Rhone-Alps region has hosted the Winter Olympics on three separate occasions and it boasts excellent transport connections to the major cities of Lyon and Geneva in Switzerland.
Written by Chris Smith
