Winter holiday in the French Alps??

[milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo]

We want to take the Eurostar Ski Train to the French Alps in January. Where can we go for a good trip that doesn't involve ski-ing and is good for families?

Also any suggestions for cheap places to stay.

tbh many of the French winter resorts are dull unless you ski as they are purpose built in otherwise remote spots. Chamonix is more all round than many but not cheap or near the Eurostar line iirc or perhaps Trois Valles. Otherwise how about basing yourselves in Geneva and taking day trips to several resorts by train.

Right ok, trouble is DH doesn't like flying so that restricts us somewhat Just fancy the idea of a winter retreat!

or a train tour of Switzerland ? Glacier Express etc where you travel between 2 or 3 resorts over a week, 10 days or more. There is apparently a fast TGV service from Paris to Zurich now too.

Ooh that sounds like a plan, could get the Eurostar to paris then on to Switzerland.. that has given me a few more ideas.

Have a look at this www.seat61.com/ for european train info, it's a fantastic site.

Has anyone been to Annecy?

Bump

err, no. Sorry.

for a winter non-skiing retreat I'd like to go to the ice hotel in sweden rather than the alps. Not sure how easy it would be to get there without flying though - maybe boat & train?

We went to Annecy last summer, not sure what there is open in winter but you can get to some ski resorts like La Clusaz, not easy by train though iirc. We found it an expensive area.

I've stopped in Annecy on the way to the Alps - both in winter and summer. It's a great wee town - very picureseque. It is open in winter too, so might be a good idea for your purposes.

Thanks everyone, currently trying to find somewhere self catering in the Annecy area - bit tricky as the French use their holiday homes in that area during the winter for ski-ing!

Sorted the train 248 pounds return for both DH and I (and DD of course!) - bit of a bargain. On a tight budget but all seems do-able.