Chalet Poire, Val Thorens, France

I stayed in Chalet Poire in Val Thorens the last week in March 2011. I was a single but was lucky enough to find myself with a varied group of singles and couples/pairs who got on really well together. The chalet maid Ange was a superb host, always friendly and helpful, and prepared a succession of delectable meals. Poire is well situated, only a few metres from a skiable siderun down into the main town and all other areas; admittedly the snow was a bit patchy for the first hundred metres but after that fine for any competent skier. And as long as you stayed reasonably high (above 1500 metres) the snow was great all day long - at higher altitudes it was just superb, and I think VT has to be amongst the best spring ski resorts in Europe, with wonderful panoramas and ski options to suit almost everyone. One day I skied right across to Courchevel and back with no problems and had a great time. Prices in the shops, bars and restaurants in VT are predictably stratospheric, but just consider how far they have to bring the stuff! Just make sure you charge up your credit card and/or bank account before you come..... The après ski is just as varied as the skiing and for a relatively small town is remarkably rich for all ages and inclinations.

Apres Ski: 4/5

Steve