Alps skiing with teens

I'm planning a ski trip to the Alps with my 2 sons (17,20) who are excellent skiers/boarders. We are currently scheduled to land in Geneva and could go in any direction. I'm wondering what ski area in either Switzerland or France (we want the French language) gives us a good mix of challenging & intermediate slopes along with a mix of other choices to let us all be together in the mountains, relax, and explore. Hot pools, entertainment venues (appropriate for 17), and some spa features for me (Mom) would be really nice. We'll be over there for Christmas, so any suggestions for regional traditions or particularly scenic side trips would be great to know about. Also, for the 10 days we have, would you recommend staying in one place or several days in 2? Lastly, will train travel take us anywhere or should I plan for a car?

Thanks for all suggestions!

You might want to check out the Times ski resort supplement, available online from the Timesonline website. Chamonix and Verbier are both quite close to Geneva and easy to access without a car, I am told.

Greg

I was in East Europe last year. It's cheap there and the mountains are wonderful. I'm planning to go there again next month with my family. Does somebody is interested in?

The ski resorts of Pamporovo, Bansko and Borovets in Bulgaria offer the cheapest skiing on the planet. Flights to either Sofia or Plovdiv will get you there within a couple of hours or so.
As for Switzerland or France, it's a different world altogether. Extremely expensive, but superb facilities. My recommendation in Switzerland would be wherever the snow and weather are best. It's such a small country that you can get anywhere within between breakfast and lunch.
Car hire would be more practical if you're taking your own equipment. Skis and trains are never a good idea.
In France I would recommend Val d'isere. One of the finest ski resorts in the world, only about 60 miles SW of Switzerland and a stones throw from Italy too, where there are even more wonderful slopes.

Thanks BedouinLeo, I've heard about these resorts. I will check with i-net for some more info and will go there for e weak or two with my family

Yes it is true. My husband goes in Bulgaria since 2003. He used to buy a ski equipment from Bulgaria and he leaves the equipment before flight-back. So the baggage isn't so heavy.

Hello Jeonsons:

Since I lived in Zermatt I am partial. It is the best. It is in the German speaking part of Switzerland but all local speak za francais.

If it is a French resort you are looking for than look no further than Port de Soleil . It is a resort that stradles the French-Swiss border. There are little villages sprinkled across the vast resort. 12 village/stations. Since the teens are excellent riders than they most likely looking for off piste and touring type situations. This place has tons of that. 650KM.

http://www.portesdusoleil.com/index_winter.asp

Last year was killer year for snow. Kinda have been waiting for a few seasons to get it, so keep the fingers crossed we get lucky again.

Otherwise Chamonix is the crown jewel of the French Alps.