Franche-Comte, France

Capital City: Besancon
Closest Airport: Geneva
Population: 1,117,059
Resort Area: Vallorbe - St-Laurent - Morez - Saint-Claude - Gex - Oyonnax - Nantua
Snow Season: End December - end April
Main Language: French
Currency: Euro

Franche-comte is on the eastern edge of France, bordering Switzerland, and running pretty much the entire length of the region are the Jura Mountains. Lower in altitude than the Alps further south, the Jura are best known for cross-country skiing, thanks to a mammoth 400km-long trail and a 76km race that a select bunch of lunatics choose to take part in each year.

The area has a number of alpine resorts too that cater well for beginners and early intermediates, including Mijoux and Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid. Resorts are easy to get to by road, and convenient for major international airports in the region, including Geneva and Lyon.