Residence Les Balcons des Aiguilles

A weekend spent breathing the crisp mountain air, catching the first chair up in the morning to make even tracks on the crunchy groomed trails, and recuperating in the evenings in our own private apartment makes an idyllic break from everyday life in the city. The town of La Toussuire is part of the Les Sybelles complex, which links six resorts to make it the fourth-largest skiable area in France, with a total of 310kms of pistes. With a range of difficulties on the slopes, there’s plenty to satisfy all levels of alpine skier. For non-skiers, too, there’s enough to enjoy, with snowshoeing, snow-mobiling, paragliding, dog-sledding or skating on offer.

We arrived at our cosy apartment in early afternoon; enough time to nip to the shops, buy all we could carry, and rent our skis to be up early the next morning, before toasting our good fortune over a home-cooked meal in La Residence. As we watched the setting sun turn the mountains outside our balcony a stunning pink, promising good weather for our first day on the slopes, we tucked into a typical mountain supper of bread, cheese and hams before an early night.

The apartments are decorated in a warm, homely style, largely contemporary but with nods to traditional mountain design: solid hardwood furniture throughout, and cosy soft furnishings. After a long day on the slopes, the comfortable mattress and crisp sheets were very inviting. Our bathroom, too, was immaculate, though I was disappointed not to find a deep tub to soak my aching muscles in. Until, that is, I discovered Les Balcons’ exclusive wellness area, with an indoor pool and hot tub, as well as a hammam and sauna; there is no excuse for skipping après-ski with the promise of a rejuvenating swim with views of the mountains beyond in the privacy of your own residence.

The next morning, after the bakery delivered fresh bread to La Residence, we walked the short distance to the bottom of the lifts to start the day. Located on a vast plateau, La Toussuire offers skiers exceptional views; and with its snow, sun, and range of slopes, it truly is an idyllic destination for a quick skiing break. Of course, after warming your legs on the varied terrain, there are also plenty of slope¬-side spots to soak up the sun and warm your hands around some vin chaud or tuck into a delicious fondue. With access to all six resorts of the Les Sybelles ski area, you can’t go wrong in La Toussuire.

And, once you’re back in the resort town, there’s a good range of typical mountain restaurants to try for dinner; alternatively, you can enjoy some of the freshest local produce, including Savoy cheese, sausages and wines, available from the nearby shops. If you have children, a visit to a nearby farm would be an unforgettable experience. For guests seeking a little bit of culture on the side, the Maurienne Valley features some charming examples of Savoyard Baroque art and architecture that are certainly worth visiting.

The best part, of course, is the fact that after your adventures on the pistes or off you can return to the tranquil, cosy Residence Lagrange Prestige les Balcons des Aiguilles, for some rest, relaxation and recuperation, before doing it all again the very next day.