Where the snow is perfect and the time is right.
Tom Chesshyre summarises all the latest developments in the ski industry. First Choice is offering all inclusive ski holidays to France in January and March from just £449pp. The resort of Meribel has a fleet of Segways, which are now available for hire by anyone wanting to take to the cross country ski tracks without skis. The same resort has a large Clarins spa opening at the Hotel Allodis, which will be open to non residents too. Looking towards the family market, First Choice is offering free half day childcare in Alpe d'Huez for anyone holidaying in January or March. For more discerning clients, the website babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk has teamed up with Ski Famille (www.skifamille.co.uk ) to offer boutique childcare options. Elsewhere, Val d'Isere will have a huge new leisure complex, Ryanair is starting flights into Grenoble and anyone holding a week's ski pass for Chamonix can now ski into Verbier. They may want to do this to avoid the adrenaline junkies latest past time, Speed-Riding, a combination of paragliding and skiing that can be practised in Chamonix.

News in Brief
Cresta Holidays (www.crestaholidays.co.uk ) are offering free museum passes and helicopter transfers from Nice to Monte Carlo when taken as part of a package to the Le Meridien Hotel Monte Carlo. This costs £285pp for 3 nights including Easyjet flights from Luton.  

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/travel

How to Ski through the downturn
Peter Hardy says that despite the pound being weak you can still ski this winter without bankrupting yourself. He examines all the elements and tells you where to go, with whom and what the essentials are. Tour Operators have generally held their prices but capacity has been cut so the likelihood of last minute bargains is pretty slim. www.crystalski.co.uk are offering all-inclusives with ski hire & Paradiski lift passes included from only £479pp. The myth that flights are low-cost continues with February half term now nearly £200 to Geneva. Outside these dates you have to book incredibly early for anything sensibly priced. Snowjet however flies from five UK airports to Chambery from £29 single. All airlines are now charging for skis as they count as a piece of hold luggage. Charters with the likes of www.skipeak.com operating to the resort of Vaujany offer free carriage. Don't overlook the cost of a resort transfer! Is ski-drive therefore the best option? www.eurotunnel.com starts at £106 with www.norfolkline.com at £40 for a car and passengers. If you book your crossing as part of a package through a Tour Operator it's cheaper. Specialists include www.peakretreats.co.uk, www.ernalow.co.uk, www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk, and www.interhome.co.uk.  There's also train from St Pancras from £149 return with the  www.eurostar.co.uk. You'll have shorter transfers and no charge for your skis. Try to avoid Christmas/New Year and Half term. If school holidays are a must Easter is your best bet pricewise, if not mid-January or March. Alternative resorts should be investigated such as St Martin de Bellevile instead of Val Thorens, Brides-les-Bains with www.skiweekends.com instead of Méribel or Ste Foy instead of Val d'Isère/Tignes. Otherwise there is Les Orres where you can ski for less than £100 for six days or St Lary in the Pyrenees for about £150. Self catering can work economically if you plan properly taking some basics with you and shopping outside the resort to keep costs down. Chalet holidays are a good option too. Take picnics for lunch and don't eat in mountain restaurants. Lift passes having risen by an average of 30% according to a survey by World Weekly Snow News due to the week pound however French resorts have been making efforts passing on discounts to Tour Operators.

Pick of the Pistes
Caroline Shearing picks out some of this seasons best deals for this winter. Les Carroz (pictured) self-drive, self-catering £189 in January with www.peakretreats.co.uk. Les Deux Alpes - half board including flights £500 in January with Directline skiing. Tignes - Chalet Board including flights and lift passes £535 in January with www.thomsonski.co.uk. Paradiski - Chalet Board including flights £599 in December with Finlay Ski. Val d'Isere - Chalet Board including flights £779 in January with VIP Chalets.  Chamonix - half board including flights, lift passes and Ski hire £1329 in December with www.crystalfinest.co.uk. All prices for seven night based on two sharing with savings of up to £300 per person.

France cuts costs to woo skiers
Caroline Shearing highlights that British favourite Courchevel is likely to be cutting its lift pass and ski equipment prices according to the Post Office Ski Resort Report 2009. It is believed that costs will come down around £230 (£130 lift pass and £100 ski equipment hire) for six days. With certain resorts in other countries increasing their prices Sarah Munro Head of Post Office Travel Services said that French resorts were responding well to pressure of a strong euro by slashing prices.

My kind of town Lyons
Simon Brooke always misses Lyons (pictured)when he is away and that's why he loves France's second city and the home of gastronomy. Whether out to lunch on the balcony at the Musée des Beaux Arts or visiting the Basilica Fouvière you sure of a stunning view. There's a grand cathedral and a ruined Roman amphitheatre in this capital of la douce France. Small bistros serve unpretentious food at a reasonable but of course if you want a higher price tag you can find that easily too. Compared with Paris it seems more authentic and charming with less 'tat' on show for tourists. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/index.jhtml

The world at your fingertips
The Pont du Gard is the greatest surviving piece of a 50km aqueduct built to supply water to Nîmes by the Romans in first century AD.

Travel Agenda
La Semaine du Goût dedicated to French Cuisine and running this week until October 18^th with special menus, tastings and workshops all over France. www.legout.com

Car rental: Make sure you steer clear of the chaos 
Fred Mawer is warning travellers not to leave booking your car hire too late or you may end up paying over the odds and having to settle for a car much bigger than you originally wanted. With companies reducing their fleets in France by up to 20% holidaymakers beware. Car hire in The Alps for peak periods is reasonable at present but likely to go up with demand. Other tips are to look at the car rental brokers as there are savings to be had over main retailers.

Late Deals
Best Short Break this week is three nights B&B in Paris for £135pp and that includes a leisure select upgrade travelling November 16^th. www.crestaholidays.co.uk

ASK Frank Barrett
A consumer consults Frank re good independent advice about the Ile de Re (pictured) on the western coast of France and is advised that is now becoming more popular due to its unspoilt beaches, pleasant restaurants and it's also great for cycling. He suggests looking at www.holidays-iledere.co.uk for more info.

http://www.travelmail.co.uk