Vallorcine is a tiny, unspoilt Savoyard village about 20km up the valley from Chamonix and Argentiere, and one of the few remaining 'secret' Alpine resorts. Great because it's easily reached from Geneva, you avoid the crowds of Chamonix, (which is near enough for fun in the evening if desired) but still within reach of Les Grands Montets and La Vallee Blanche.
There's a brand-new fast lift up to Le Tour, which gives great family skiing (reds and blues mainly), but with tricky off-piste for advanced skiers. When we first went there two seasons ago, we walked from our hotel 2km into the centre of the village and didn't pass a single soul on the way. At first it seemed a bit odd, but we soon realised we'd stumbled across a gem – empty, beautiful, with clear non-light-polluted skies at night, a couple of small restaurants and hotels and not much else. Perfect!
www.vallorcine.com/
www.chamonix-montblanc.net/ermitage/index.htm
And you don't have to fly to get there. Use Eurostar, then the overnight snow train from Paris Gare du Nord (so no crossing Paris) and then the amazing little train up the valley with stunning views of Mont Blanc. After all, flying creates warming which melts the snow!
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