Ski hire users seeking the best places to head to the slopes this season should look no further than France, according to one expert.
VisitingEU.com said that there are a wide variety of breaks for ski hire users to choose from, with bargains on offer most of the year.
"With a wide range of locations, mountains that cater to every ski ability level from beginner to off piste ski expert and arguably the best apres ski around, France has a ski holiday for everyone," the source said.
It added that there are numerous ways for people to save money in the country’s top resorts aside from ski hire, as lift passes, early-bird discounts and different methods of travelling to the resorts are all available.
The recommendations come after Virgin said that ski hire users heading to the slopes will always find a wide range of things to do in the resorts, thanks to the large number of bars and restaurants in addition to the runs.
People using ski hire in Val Thorens this winter will be in a resort which has an eco-friendly attitude at its heart, according to one source.
The Independent said that Val Thorens is the perfect place for ski hire users concerned about the impact their trip is having on the environment, as authorities in the region have taken measures to address this.
"It has woken up to the need to be environmentally sensitive, with lifts that are powered by renewable hydroelectric energy, it has planted more than 200,000 trees in the past 20 years and its street lighting now uses low-energy bulbs," the newspaper explained.
The sewage system in the resort also recently benefitted from an upgrade which has reduced pollution in the area.
Meanwhile, OntheSnow.com recently said that people using ski hire in Val Thorens can cut costs compared with people who buy their own gear, only to seldom use it again.
People using ski hire in Courchevel this winter will not be short of amazing runs, according to one source which labelled the region a "dedicated ski area".
Travelbite.co.uk said that Courchevel has all the facilities ski hire users would expect from a trip to the mountains, but also caters for winter sports enthusiasts wanting a bit of variety in their break.
"If you are looking for a skiing holiday that offers all the things you want for a competitive price, perhaps you need look no further than Courchevel in France," it said.
Courchevel is located in the Three Valleys, the largest ski region in the world, and as a result ski hire users can pick from a number of different runs of varying difficulty, the source pointed out.
Currently, ski hire in Courchevel users can attend an exhibition of the work of the great painter Salvador Dali.
A week-long snow party will keep ski hire in Val d’Isere users entertained into the early hours.
Taking place between December 5th and 12th, the snow festival in Val d’Isere mixes the best in live music with themed evenings, torch-lit night skiing and even speed dating on the chair lift.
Ski hire users will be able to take lessons with a certified instructor during the day or try out one of the resort’s many 154 ski runs, before unwinding at night in the festival atmosphere.
The main stage will be located in Espace Killy and the event will be rounded off with the Alpine Skiing World Cup, which commences on December 11th.
Men’s events will take place on December 11th, 12th and 13th, whereas ski hire users will be able to watch some of the greatest females skiers on the planet in action on 18th, 19th and 20th, when former world champion Lindsey Van is in action.
People using ski hire in Meribel are to benefit from a number of special offers after the area’s bars announced a week of happy hours.
The local establishments will offer Happy Semaine week from December 12th onwards, which will give ski hire users the chance to benefit from happy hour prices all day for seven days, helping to lower the cost of the visit.
Each participating bar will display a Happy Semaine bar in the winter to alert ski hire users to any special offers, said Richard Lett, who organises the Altitude Comedy Festival.
"The last three years have seen excellent snow coverage at this time of year and with early snowfalls this year it’s sure to be another belter for the early birds," he said.
Meanwhile, the Travel and Leisure blog recently stated that people using ski hire in Meribel have plenty to keep them entertained, such as the large number of restaurants and bars there.
Ski hire users heading to the slopes in France this year will have plenty to do, according to one source.
Virgin said that ski hire users in places such as Les Arcs will find that the country has a variety of activities for them to participate in, from schussing and slaloming down the runs to relaxing at the bar afterwards.
"Many ski resorts have shops that offer shopping fanatics a wide array of boutiques to satisfy every taste and style. Larger ski resorts boast shops that sell designer accessories, shoes and fashions for the whole family," it said.
The source added that the stunning scenery in the mountains will simply add to the wonder for ski hire users heading away this winter.
Meanwhile, HomeBoySki.com recently compiled a list of the seven best places for ski hire users to visit and named Les Arcs as one of the top destinations on the continent.
People who choose to hire ski equipment rather than buying it will find that the process is less expensive and more convenient than buying gear, one source has observed.
Ski specialist Kevin Gillett, writing for WhatIsIt.org, said people planning a trip to the slopes should be aware that using ski hire saves all the hassle of loading equipment into a car or carrying it on a plane, as they can pick up the items once they get to the resort.
He also pointed out that people who buy ski equipment and then lose weight over the course of a year may find that the gear does not fit anymore, which is a waste of money.
"Keeping all these things in mind, hiring the equipments is undoubtedly the better option than purchasing a new one," Mr Gillett said.
Meanwhile, Pete Estabrooks, writing for the National Post, recently said that sorting out ski equipment hire before people set off to the slopes is important for ensuring a hassle-free trip.
People using ski hire in Courchevel this year will be able to take time out from the slopes to lap up some of the area’s culture, one source has asserted.
Véronique Beulz, head of marketing and promotion at Courchevel Tourisme, said that area is currently playing host to an exhibition of works by Salvador Dali, the famous surrealist painter.
She pointed out that a visit to the show will provide a taste of culture and allow ski hire in Courchevel users to unwind.
"People will come to see the amazing sculptures. We are always trying to be different as a ski destination with our animation and our events," Ms Beulz said.
Her comments followed a recent report by the Ski Club of Great Britain, which revealed that ski hire users are still choosing to go to France over any other country in order to take part in winter sports activities. 
People using ski hire in Val d’Isere this winter are in a great position, thanks to the volume of snowfall across Europe, one source has said.
According to the Independent, the thick layers of snow across the main ski regions are good news for people using ski in Val d’Isere this season, particularly as the weather looks set to continue in the coming weeks.
"The truth is that the pre-season to the coming winter has so far equalled, if not exceeded, the start of the snowy spectacular 2008-09 ski season," the newspaper explained.
It also pointed to a recent announcement by the agency SkiInfo, which said that some areas have seen up to 20cm of snowfall in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, James Fisher, writing for Morznet.com, said that there has been a great deal of snowfall in recent weeks, which has provided ski hire users with ideal conditions for a trip to the slopes.
People heading to places such as Val Thorens this winter are likely to find that there are many cost-cutting measures which can be adopted, one specialist has said.
OntheSnow recently pointed out that ski hire in Val Thorens users can take advantage of seasonal discounts, such as a reduction in the cost of getting a bus to the resort.
In addition, the source noted that ski hire in Les Arcs users can benefit from a number of special discounts if they take to the slopes at the weekend.
"La Plagne and Les Arcs offers up to a 50 per cent discount for Saturday skiing, but only if you remember to print the coupon from the site," the source said.
The advice comes after a recent article by Cheap Ticket Links stated that there are several bargains on trips to France currently waiting to be snapped up by ski hire users.
