Recently, however, new and equally convenient villages of chalet-style apartments have grown up in purpose-built resorts such as Tignes, Flaine and Les Ménuires, and some of the old block - such as Labro's Dromonts hotel in Avoriaz and Breuer's Totem hotel in Flaine - have had makeovers.

Best for terrain parks

Avoriaz, France

Where to stay

The ski-in/ski-out Hotel des Dromonts is the hotel exception to the apartment rule in Avoriaz, a throwback to the days of Depardieu and Deneuve that offers plenty of retro chic - a little like having a walk-on part in a Truffaut film.

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