European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 23, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The 1992 Winter olympics in february will focus attention on the French Alps which offer some of the most spectacular and varied resorts in  Winter olympics showcase for French ski resort by David Tarrant staff writer Many of the big name French ski resorts grew up Atter world War ii. Modem in construction they re not As quaint As resorts in neighbouring Austria and Switzerland. What they May Lack in harm they More than make up for in convenience and practicality. Apartment complexes located close to the slopes Are the Rule in most resorts such As tines. Lists Are an easy distance away for those traipsing about in ski boots. Strip shopping centers with supermarkets bakeries restaurants ski shops and delis located Side by Side simplify shopping. Experts consider the French Alps to have some of the Best skiing that Europe has to Otter. The already Good reputation of resorts like three valleys Les trois valleys is being further bolstered by the Winter olympics which is being staged in this area. The skiing is vast and varied with hundreds of lifts and Miles and Miles of slopes. Here is a rundown of some of the key resorts in the French Alps Val a Sere. One of Europe s most popular resorts Val a Sere is part of Quot space Killy Quot which boasts a skiing area of More than 180 Miles of slopes and i to ski lifts. This Beautiful area is located on the Edge of the National Park of la Van Oise. Lodging in Val a Sere 23,000 Beds. Reservations Soltice 70 41-12-08. Tines. The twin City of Val a Sere which shares Tsipai e  tines boasts year round skiing at the Grande motto Glacier. The opening in 1001 of the Grande Molte fun Ulai railway which rises 3,65b meters 12,064 Lee adds enormously to the convenience and allure of this resort. Here Young people take their partying As seriously As they do their skiing which can be seen by the Many discos in the area. Lodging in tines 30,000 Beds. Reservations office 79-0645-44. Three valleys. The largest ski area in the world with 310 Miles of slopes and 200 ski lifts. The most prestigious of the five resorts in this area of the Savoie Region is Cou Cheval which is split into three villages known by their Altitude in meters hence Cou Cheval 1,500, 1,650 and 1,850. Cou Cheval has a Well deserved reputation As a glitzy Jet set resort. This is an expensive Quot ski Paradise Quot but the food and night life Are up to the highest standards. The skiing is also top  resort boasts the most sophisticated Cable car in the world and the largest ski school in Europe with 450 instructors teaching in French English German Spanish and italian. Lodging in Cou Cheval 33,000 Beds. Reservations office 79 08-00-29 Meribel. In the heart of the three valleys has a quaint harm with its wooden chalets and Snow capped Pine Trees. The resort has added three new runs to its 70 ski runs and has 32 5 Snow guns to keep the slopes White. The resort hosts the ladies Alpine ski events on a new ski stadium on the Roc de Fer Mountain. A new olympic ice skating rink will he open to the Public after the games. Lodging in Meribel 27,000 Beds. Reservations Soltice 79-0050-00. Les menu res Val Thorens. These Are two resorts in the same Alpine Valley that share the skiing space of the three Valier. Val Thorens the Summit of the three valleys is the highest ski resort in Europe and enjoys plenty of summer skiing. Lodging in Les menu res and Val Thorens 39,000 Beds. Reservations office 79-00-79-79. La Tania is the newest of the five three valleys resorts and located next to Cou Cheval is a smaller version of the posh resort. Reservations office 79-08-45-71. Les arcs Bourg St. Maurice has been developed on three Levels arc 1,600, arc 1,800.and arc 2,000 referring to Altitude in meters the resort is accessible via a funicular railway from Bourg St. Maurice. It has about 90 Miles of marked slopes and will be the site for Speed skiing events during the olympics. Lodging in Les arc s 26,000 Beds. Reservations office 79-0726-00. Les Saises enjoys a spectacular location just across from mount Blanc. The Hometown of Franck Piccard a Gold medal Winner in the Calgary Winter olympics Les Saises will Host All the Cross country skiing and biathlon events of the olympics. Lodging in Les Saises 8,500 Beds. Reservations office 79-3890-30. La Plagne is one of the largest skiing areas in Europe with More than 120 Miles of slopes and More than 100 ski lifts a including the longest Cable car in the world. Lodging in la Plagne 30,000 Beds. Reservations office 79 09-79-79. Albertville the capital of the 1992 w inter olympics is located in a Valley where the Sere and arly Rivers merge. Its not so much a ski resort As a Gateway to Winter resorts within an hour s reach. Because of the games Albertville now has a Brand new 9,000-seat ice skating rink. Lodging in Albertville Contact tourist Bureau. Reservations office 79-32-04-22.22 october 23, 1991