Quick guide to… La Toussuire

This charming Alpine ski resort has enough to keep the whole family entertained, as Peter Stewart discovers

I’m not familiar with the name. Where is it exactly?

Located at an altitude of 1,750 metres, the Alpine village of La Toussuire is part of the extensive Les Sybelles ski area in the Maurienne Valley of Savoie.

So what is there to do?

The village has 45km of pistes, linked by 21 chairlifts with routes for every type of skier. A great route for beginners is the Vallée Perdue, which links La Toussuire with Le Corbier and has picture-postcard mountain views. For the more advanced skier, there are numerous extra-long runs including the 5km Grand Truc, while the floodlit Petite Verdette piste is the perfect place for a spot of night skiing. Facilities for children include practice slopes, a ski nursery and a ski school. If that’s not enough, there’s the rest of Les Sybelles to explore, with 310km of pistes.

It sounds fantastic. What about places to eat and drink?

You have plenty of choice. For Savoyard fare in a convivial atmosphere try Le Chamois (tel: (Fr) 4 79 56 74 86, www.chamois-toussuire.com). Situated directly in front of the ski slopes, the restaurant serves specialities such as raclette and reblochonnade. For a warming fondue or dish of tartiflette head to Le Patriarche (tel: (Fr) 6 11 20 73 13, mains from €6.50), which boasts stunning views over La Toussuire and the neighbouring resorts. Another great place for traditional Alpine food is L’Écurie (tel: (Fr) 4 79 56 79 80, www.plein-sud.com, mains from €11.50). Part of the Hôtel Le Plein Sud, the chalet-style restaurant is made entirely from wood and holds regular themed dinners with waiting staff dressed in period costume.

What about a place to stay?

For a cosy stay with splendid mountain vistas try the Hôtel les Soldanelles (tel: (Fr) 4 79 56 75 29, www.hotelsoldanelles.com, doubles from €189 half-board), with 39 modern rooms and a restaurant serving Savoyard cuisine.

Get me there quick!

Chambéry Airport is a 1hr 20min drive from La Toussuire and is served during the ski season by various UK carriers.

For more information visit www.la-toussuire.com