Courcheval is reputed for being one of France’s most exclusive resorts, and is therefore home to an eclectic mix of holiday goers, most noticeably of the Russian oligarch variety.

If the thought of mogul fields haunt you, it’s rumoured that Courcheval spends a whopping 20,000 euros a night on piste grooming, plenty enough money to flatten out the worst of your nightmares and provide the perfect courduroy conditions.

Courcheval offers a special pass for 14 euros a day which covers just the beginner lifts; a great way to test the waters without completely off loading the contents of your wallet. If the skiing does all get just a little bit too much, then Courcheval is never short of a Michelin starred restaurant for a long, leisurely lunch.