TAYING at the Ferme de Montagne in the French Alps is the closest you can get to perfection.

Situated in the 12th century village of Les Gets, this converted farmhouse oozes sophistication without stuffiness, charm without compromise and offers one of the finest skiing experiences in Europe money can buy.

After a lengthy period of dereliction, the Ferme de Montagne has had an enormous amount of money spent on it in recent years which has seen it restored authentically and carefully to blend in perfectly with the picturesque alpine surroundings of the village.

I've been to several ski resorts across Europe and none of them has come near to matching the beauty and romance of Les Gets.

The ugly concrete-style accommodation which mars many resorts around France and Austria are thankfully absent from Les Gets and will forever be because future developments have been prohibited.

Just an hour's drive from Geneva airport, it is also the resort of choice for anyone adverse to long transfer times or who is on a tight, weekend-break schedule.

For the serious skier or snowboarder the scenery means nothing if the slopes are not up to scratch.

Fortunately, Les Gets scores very highly in any criteria the most critical of snow sports fanatics could wish to apply.

Les Gets has plenty of groomed pistes to suit all abilities but the real jewel in the crown is its inclusion in the enormous Portes Du Soleil network.

Stretching from Les Gets eastwards towards Chatel on the Franco-Swiss border, and across to Champoussin and Champery in Switzerland, it encompasses a mammoth 14 resorts and 650 km of slopes. Even Franz Klammer at his peak couldn't cover all that in a week.

The Ferme de Montagne employs three ski guides to ensure you hit the best slopes and get the most out of your break whatever your ability.

Excellent mountain restaurants, superlative views of Mont Blanc and slopes within a stone's throw of most accommodation (including the Ferme de Montagne which is a ski in and ski out chalet) make Les Gets a suitable resort for the most dedicated of skiers or snowboarders.

After a hard day on the slopes, there can be few better places than the Ferme de Montagne to unwind. Afternoon tea and a slice of cake or two is served at the end of the skiing day by the attentive chalet staff in the downstairs sitting area, with its roaring log fire.

Afterwards you can steam in the chalet's sauna or soak in the outdoor jacuzzi and watch the sun set over the Alps with a glass of wine. If you skied yourself into the ground and are aching, as is often the case if you haven't been on the slopes for a year, then you may wish to pay a visit to the in-house therapist. Each guest receives a complementary pampering treatment but you will no doubt want to go back for more after sampling it.

In the evening you can chill out with a movie from the chalet library as there is a television and DVD player in each of the spacious rooms.

If you prefer a bit of night-life, Les Gets does have a handful of lively bars and one night-club to keep you entertained. Staff at the Ferme de Montagne will even drop you off at the watering hole of your choice and pick you up at the end of the night.

But perhaps the piece de resistance for Ferme de Montagne is the quality of the food served.

Suzanne Dixon-Hudson, managing director of the Ferme de Montagne chalet said: "When I first came to Les Gets, I thought the resort was missing accommodation with a five-star level of service.

" I wanted to create the atmosphere of a private home where people are coming away from home to stay with friends. We also wanted our staff to be friendly and not obtrusive."

After my three night stay I can say, without a shadow of doubt, it is mission accomplished.

My return to Blighty was a typically drab affair.

Greeted by grey skies, oppressive fog and heavy traffic, it was in stark contrast to the alpine haven I had left behind earlier that day.

It should have been depressing but I was comforted in the knowledge I was only a few hours away from Les Gets and the Ferme de Montagne if it all got too much. l easyJet flies daily from Bristol to Geneva from £40.98 return including tax. To book visit www.easyJet.com or call 0905 821 0905.