If your dream is to ski and stay at a luxury holiday resort, three to seriously consider when making your choice are Val D’Isere, Courchevel, or Banff.

VAL D’ISERE in Savoie, France, is one of the finest ski resorts in the world and is located in the French Alps. Once used for hunting by Dukes, the site boasts an old church and other historical sites. Its claim to fame, however, was as a host for races in the 1992 Winter Olympics. You can reach the slopes in a huge gondola containing 30-person cabins for an unusual experience. The high altitude provides a reliable likelihood of snow.

Located here is the French National Ski School and other schools that appeal mostly to beginners, but the advanced skiers will find plenty of challenging runs with the wide range of slopes amid the stunning mountain views. The chalets offer authentic French cuisine as well as a broad range of other foods. Although the prices here are generally on the high side, the value is worth what you pay.

COURCHEVEL is another popular French Alps ski destination. and is in the world’s largest linked ski area The four villages are named for their altitudes and attract different clienteles who are looking for everything from a family vacation to a more glamorous lifestyle by affluent visitors seeking a luxurious place to stay in the best accommodations and shop in exquisite jewelry and boutique shops. The numerous mountain restaurants are a delight. The more than 100 ski runs are of all levels and can be reached by an efficient lift system. In fact, Courchevel has some of the world’s most difficult black runs. Le Praz in the Courchevel valley was the host for the 1992 Winter Olympics ski jump. Snowmobiling and snowboarding are also popular.

Courchevel also holds the record of having one of the world’s shortest runways, and only certain aircraft can maneuver the steep hill and deep valleys that specially certified pilots have to navigate on their approach. Often helicopters and Cessnas are chosen for this feat.

BANFF in the Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, is known for having some of the world’s driest and coldest snow and a long snow season in its large ski area. The runs go from nursery slopes to green to black and double-black diamond ones The mountain views are spectacular, and you can spot wildlife in the valley.

You can get good value in lodging, and over 100 restaurants offer a variety of international cuisine such as Mediterranean, Italian, Korean, Western, and Mexican as well as steak, game, fish, spaghetti, crab, ribs, burgers, fondues, and a Sunday brunch. There is a lively night life with live music, dancing, buffets, an Irish pub with a wide variety of beers, and more. You can also enjoy a gondola ride, tobogganing, or dog sledding.

Other attractions include the Banff Centre for Performing Arts, great shopping, Indian art and souvenirs, a cinema, galleries, museums, wildlife walks, hot springs pools, and ski or snowboard lessons.