We have been going to VDL (Villard-de-Lans) for the past 6 years and every time we don't want to go home. The best kept French secret for skiing. Tell people where you are skiing and they say "never heard of it". Great, don't tell too many people as it's a quiet location with not many English families there, so lets keep it that way. Skiing is excellent for beginners and intermediates! Ski school is fab having 3 children they really enjoy it, going again at half-term in 2012! Around 12 hour drive from Eurotunnel but with the excellent French roads and picnic/service stations it's a breeze. Again, staying in a rented accommodation with another family, they are converts now too! Enjoy!