Divine combo: white snow, blue sky

Courchevel is the highest of the stations in Les Trois Vallées, the worlds largest skiing district. Meribel and Val Thorens probably have better skiing; the pistes close to Courchevel, in particular, are a bit too easy for most skiers. But they are OK for those of us with knee problems. And if you take the cable car to the top there are black pistes for those whose ligaments are still intact. There is less polenta around than in the Aosta Valley in Italy, but this is made up for by cassoulet and pot-au-feu. This makes a substantial farmer’s meal, not to be despised when you've been losing far too many calories skiing.