The French Alps are home to some spelendid mountain lakes

From atop the L'AlpeD'Huez, you really have no idea what lies in store. The world's longest ski slope, you were told with a trace of statistical hubris, is an unbroken 16 kilometres. 16 kilometres on a pair of skis. La Sarenne. Oh la la. You can do this, you tell yourself. No, of course you can't. Its just not up your street. You're outplayed. Outleagued. Defeated even before you try. Suddenly, your heart stops for a microsecond for an entirely different reason: cold clammy, fear. In an instant, despite your thermal long johns, three layers of Tres Tex lined clothing, earmuffs and professional grade ski cap and goggles, you break out in a cold sweat. Your instructor gestures you to follow. This is the pistol shot. Mesmerized, not knowing what you're doing anymore, you heave yourself behind him. After a week's hard training, this is the brag-moment you've been waiting for: you're downhill on the La Sarenne!

In a few minutes, you're acclimatized to the careening slope and the panic magically vanishes. Your body is now a mass, moving downhill at what feels like 80kph, propelled by adrenaline and accelerated by gravity. You're both spectator and participant. Spectator to a white landscape viewed through a motion blur filter. Participant in what suddenly seems unreal. You're in free state, skiing at the mercy of circumstance. This is liberating. Behind you, a worried wife and excited kids. Ahead, as far as you can see, white Alpine terrain.
You complete the full stretch. Eighteen minutes. Felt like eternity though. Triumphant, you decide to do it once more before you check out. But, a Cognac first. Or four. Breaking out of your reverie, you notice Pierre is beaming like a proud parent. "Congratulations", he says. "You've skied on the world's longest slope."The immense foolhardiness of it dawns on you for the first time in its entirety. You resolve to certainly do it once more. Definitely time for the Martell XO now. The one with the Golden Swallow on the label.

Alpine life is a rush of adrenaline. The beauty of the region is such that after it inspires awe, it inspires gratitude. Deep gorges, ice-capped mountaintops, unpolluted mountain lakes and air so pure you could simply bottle it and sell it to Californian health nuts. From the Mediterranean to the Rhine, the mighty Alps skirt France along the Southeast. Most of this terrain covers the area known as the Savoy (Savoie), comprising the French lake district. Within it is the largest Alpine lake, Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). This is easily the best region in Europe for snowsports. (If you haven't skied at Chamonix-Mont Blanc, the capital of Alpine skiing, you haven't skied.) With its 19km Vallée Blanche run, Mont Blanc, at 4,734m (15,531 ft.), is the highest mountain in Western Europe - and a dream come true for skiers of the intrepid ilk. From January to March, skiers arrive, Whittingtonlike, to Chamonix-Mont Blanc, Megève, Val d'Isère, and Courchevel 1850. Between July to September, spa fans head to Evian-les-Bains and Aix-les-Bains. The wintersport areas in the French Alps have something to offer for everyone. Skiing over endless pistes, langlaufing, snowboarding in snowparks and halfpipes, as well as walking with snowshoes.

The In the benign summar, the Alps offer treks galore

Grenoble, the capital of the French Alps, is the gateway. Grenoble is connected to the Paris-Lyon-Marseille motorway on the west and to the Chambéry-Geneva motorway on the east. These stretches are among the finest motoring experiences the planet has to offer. Grenoble is also a major cultural and tourist destination in the French Alps.
As we've said, the French Alps are perfect for vacationing both in summer and when its winter. When it isn't time to frolic in the snow, its time to get toned : remember, this is spa country. A number of spas are in the French Alps, with Evian-les-Bains and Aix-les-Bains being among the most visited.(Evian is also where the world-famous Evian mineral water is sourced and bottled). With hot water springs, crisp clear mountain air and pure water, this is the perfect setting to rejuvenate your body and soul.

Your Exchange Options at the French/Italian Alps: Villaggio Turistico, Ploner Clubhotel, Am Kreischberg Jausiers Vacances, Portes Du Soleil

'The Italian Alps' is a slight misnomer. They could just as well be called the German Alps, the French Alps, or the Ladin Alps : all languages are lingua franca here, and a working knowledge of any of these can help you get some preferential treatment! As you've guessed by now, the Italian Alps are a confluence of cultures and home to some of the country's most spectacular scenery.

The most memorable passage into the Italian Alps has to be crossing into the Dolomites via the Brenner Pass. (Le Corbusier called the Dolomites "the most beautiful architecture in the world.") Indeed. In summer, colourful flower blossoms carpet the meadows. Oddly enough, the best way to explore this region is the oldest : on foot, feasting on ancient limestone peaks, farmhouses, tiny villages, and onion-domed churches. Along the way you can unwind at spas nestled in the foothills, sample a bounty of trans-Alpine cuisine ranging from Risotto to Apfelstrudel, and sleep peacefully under fluffy duvets with a sense of peace that is somehow unmistakably Mediterranean, too.

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In the morning, Trentino. This land of 300 lakes formed by glaciers is a haven for experienced hikers who reach the area's high-altitude waterways. A large concentration of lakes in the Adamello-Brenta range lie within the park of the same name. Lake Garda, ideal for fishing, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, and yachting, has long attracted writers and thinkers. Goethe, Thomas Mann, and Sigmund Freud all holidayed here. Whether or not you're as lucky as these distinguished gentlemen in finding inspiration, rest assured you're guaranteed of finding modern facilities for golf, tennis, mountain biking, paragliding, and horseback riding as well as aquatic and amusement parks. At night, pubs and discos are vibrant with live music. High spirits continue along the Weinstrasse, a route that winds through terraced vineyards to a number of Italian wineries.

In sum, the Italian Alps are the quintessence of European Chutzpah and grace. As in most parts of rural Italy, life goes on at a lazy and contented pace. For seekers of quiet and peace, this is one of the finest destinations in the world.