Founded in 1965, La Bresse - Hohneck is the largest ski resort in north-east France, and one of the most characterful. The ski area sits between 900m and 1,350m on the flanks of the Hohneck, the highest summit in the Vosges, with runs winding through dense spruce forests and past mountain lakes. Its landscape is a world away from the wide-open bowls of the Alps: more intimate, more wooded, and surprisingly quiet even at peak times.

The resort has 21km of groomed pistes across 30 runs served by 15 lifts, including a high-speed six-seater and a detachable quad. Terrain leans towards beginners and intermediates, with gentle greens and blues threading through the forest, a solid network of reds for confident skiers, and a handful of black runs on the steeper upper sections. La Bresse also runs the largest illuminated night skiing area in Europe, with evening sessions extending as late as 9:45pm, and 50km of cross-country trails wind through the surrounding forests.

Sitting in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park, a protected landscape of rounded summits, glacial lakes, and ancient forest, gives the whole area a distinctive character. The town of La Bresse, just 9km down the valley, is a Vosges mountain village with local restaurants, a natural ice rink, a swimming complex, and easy access to scenic walking trails along the famous Route des Crêtes. Whether you're here for the skiing, the forest scenery, or hearty Vosgien cuisine, La Bresse - Hohneck makes for a ski break with plenty of character.