Set on the sun-drenched southern slopes of Puy de Sancy - the highest peak in the Massif Central - Super Besse is a purpose-built resort with real character. Founded in 1961, it sits within the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, surrounded by volcanic peaks, frozen lakes, and wide-open landscapes you simply won't find in the Alps. The resort wraps around the Lac des Hermines at 1,350m, with a largely pedestrianised centre that makes it easy and safe to get around on foot. It's a place where families, couples, and groups of friends can settle in quickly and spend more time enjoying the mountain than navigating the resort.

Super Besse's ski area stretches from 1,350m to 1,850m, with 40km of pistes spread across 32 runs and served by 19 lifts, including a cable car to the Puy de la Perdrix. When conditions allow, a link to the neighbouring resort of Le Mont-Dore opens up to form the Grand Sancy domain - around 85km of pistes in total. Around 70% of the ski area is covered by snow cannons, helping maintain good conditions throughout a season that typically runs from mid-December to late March. Night skiing on floodlit pistes adds another dimension, with runs open several evenings a week.

Away from the slopes, Super Besse keeps things interesting. The medieval village of Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise is a short drive away, with cobbled streets, Renaissance architecture, and local Auvergnat restaurants worth the trip. Back in the resort, you'll find an indoor swimming pool, an ice rink, a bowling alley, and the Fantasticable - a 1,600m zip line that soars over the resort at up to 120km/h. Dining leans towards honest regional cooking: think truffade, Saint-Nectaire cheese, and hearty mountain fare in cosy slope-side spots. Check out Super Besse ski deals to start planning your trip.