Recommendations for New Years 2014

I will be travelling to Paris with my wife for the week of Christmas next year, and then plan on spending the week of New Years skiing in the French Alps. I was originally drawn to the 3 valleys region based on sheer size, but I am a bit worried about crowds during this week.

Is anyone familiar with the relative crowds this week? Is it very crowded?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a resort that is easy to get to from Paris on the train and is a good bet for the week of New years? I don't mind some crowds, and I'd like to ski for 6 days so I don't want to get bored. Thanks ahead of time.

I can't speak for 3V but we were in Val D'Isere the first week of January. My British ski instructor was telling me how busy it had been and how glad he was that the crowds had gone home for a few weeks before the half term weeks hit.

Unfortunately I think it's a given that the crowds will be out in force...

we were in val d'isere over New Year this season. It was busy on New Year's Eve and the following day. The rest of the week was absolutely fine. Max wait for lifts was around 5 mins.

New Year and Feb half term (UK + Paris week) are the busiest of the season by far, with New Year being a bigger holiday than Christmas in France.

Plenty of resorts are served well by the train. The Cluses / St Gervais line will take you to the likes of Flaine & the Grand Massif resorts, plus the Chamonix valley and the french side of the Portes du Soleil.

The Moutiers / Aime / Bourg St Maurice line covers all the monster resorts in the Tarantaise.

I think, but may be wrong, that there is a line along the Maurienne valley for some of the less well known (amongst Brits) resorts such as Valloire, Valmeinier, Saint-Sorlin, Saint Jean, La Toussuire, Aussois, Termignon, Orelle, La Norma, and would also imagine there are trains to Grenoble for Alpe D'Huez and Les Deux Alpes.

Generally the resorts are very easy to get to from the local station, with a 30-45 minute transfer up the hill.

Accommodation will also be expensive! As a fellow passenger commented on our way home this year, ski in the holidays and pay twice as much for half the skiing! That said the lift systems in France tend to be excellent, and is a 10-15 minute queue that much of a problem, when 10+ years ago you'd queue for an hour to get up lifts in resorts in other countries.

Should have added, all these will be served by overnight sleepers from Paris as well as the TGV.

Everywhere will be crowded over new year, it's a peak week.

Hi saw your post - which is almost the same question we now have - although we will be in paris and the alps a week later than you have indicated. Did you locate any resorts of interest?

Man, there's nothing better than a ski holiday at this time- apart from the crowds. As long as your a people person you'll be fine.. The atmosphere is awesome!