Warming up for winter - the French pick this season's hit and miss resorts

Ever mindful of the old adage that 'one man's trash is another man's treasure', the October version of 'Alpes Magazine' hopes to add some clarity to the hotly contested battle to attract the only thing sweeter than a preemptive dump of the white stuff - you've guessed it, bookings.

Essentially a gaggle of journalists, with a couple of researchers in tow from the University of Chambery head off across the alps with a stack of criteria in their hip pocket, meet with Resort Directors, fill in a few forms, ask a few awkward questions, sink a couple of shots of Chartreuse on expenses, go back to the office, slap it all on a spreadsheet and Bob est le frère de votre mère.
But the at-a-glance comparison makes for a riveting read. Resorts are separated into three sections - 'Grand Ski', 'Extreme glisse' (thrill-seekers and lunatics) and 'Stations-Villages' (top spots for spa, raquettes, and farm visits (?) )

In order to truly benefit from this inside knowledge, you have to, well, part with the six euros for the magazine. Well, those expenses have to be paid somehow....

For 'Grand Ski', few surprises at first from the runners up, the Val d'Isere's, Courchevel's and Meribel's can all naturally pack a punch, if you got a stack of dosh you're willing to part company with. Predictable enough, until you reach Vars (5th place), which steals the thunder of the big boys with its high altitude, 180km of pistes for all levels, and a day pass price which weighs in at 16 euros lighter than La Plagne's. But then it's back to plain sailing for the Three Vallees and the Tarantaise with in first place...........l'Alpe d'Huez. For the sneaky bargain hunter who still fancies Paradiski, the editor's pick is the attractive and convivial Champagny-en-Vanoise, linked to the region but not as pricey.

As far as adrenalin-junkies go, the surprise entires in the top ten include Vars (again) and Orcieres 1850, with the latter offering a day pass for 25 euros not forgetting the night skiing, snow parks, kite-skiing, and of course, diving under frozen lakes. When it comes to the top three though - Chamonix gets the bronze, Tignes the silver and the gold goes to......l'Alpe d'Huez.

After all that toil, it was high time for the gang to soak in the newly refurbished steam baths of Serre Chevalier, for some much needed detox, before deliberating on the most charming, healthy and cultural spot in the alps. By now a little weary, they decide to look no further than Serr-Che, and why the heck not. To ski or not to ski, it has the lot. But for much of the same - spa, raquettes but alas, no farm visits, why not give Oz-en-Oisans a try? And with a name like that, their may be some mileage in Wicked Witch of the North impressions, especially if the low altitude and global warming takes hold..........'ahh, I'm melting, I'm meltiiiing'!