Home to some of the best snowboarding resorts in the world, picking out five of France's finest is no easy feat. If you've not yet been snowboarding to France, I guarantee at some time you will!

It's a country that boasts a plethora of perfect pistes, super snowparks and outstanding off-piste terrain; an excursion to this part of the European Alps is unlikely to disappoint.

But amongst these many gems, there's a handful that sparkle a little brighter than the rest. We take a look at five of France's very best resorts for snowboarders, examining each for their unique appeal.

New to France?

One of Europe's most interesting visits - not just for its snowboarding - France borders the European Alps, which start just north of Marseille and loop over the north of Italy. Excellent general information on France here, via the French Government Tourist Office.

Away from the Alps there are the Pyrenees, which share a border with Spain and also provide winter sports. But for the tallest peaks (Mont Blanc at 15,771 ft. /4,807m), the most dramatic views and the best snowboarding, it's back to the Alps.

Avoriaz

The first resort in France to open a snowboard-only zone, and home to the country's first terrain park (built in 1993) Avoriaz is something of a pioneer in the snowboard world.

Freestyle addicts are in for a treat, with four permanent parks to pick from, including the advanced level 'Arare Snowpark' , a 120-metre-long 'super pipe' , and a stunning woodland snowpark.

Plus, there are discrete areas for groms and newbies, so experts can rip in peace and beginners can build up confidence. If jibbing the park isn't your bag, the opportunities for on-piste action are equally immense, with the resort linking to Les Portes du Soleil - one of the largest ski areas in Europe.

Avoriaz also gives access to epic freeriding terrain, with everything from lush powder bowls and tempting tree runs, to cliff drops and couloirs.

Why we rate it: A snowboarding pioneer that's still leading the way.

Chamonix

Powder hounds and backcountry borders, look no further. For snowboarding holidays into pure, rugged freeride terrain, Chamonix is hard to beat.

A raw mountain playground, with a genuine mountain community that extends way beyond winter seasonnaires, snowboarding in Chamonix is serious stuff.

Best suited to intermediate and expert riders, exceptional off-piste boarding is the main appeal, with many boarders coming here to tackle the famous 'valley blanche'  tour, which guides you past the blue ice of Mont Blanc - Europe's tallest peak.

But if you're not into sloping-off, there's plenty more here to put a smile on your face: seek out the unkempt pistes, natural half pipes and slope-side kickers, or spend an afternoon on the rails and boxes in the snowpark.

Why we rate it: Heaven for backcountry purists. Don't forget your transceiver.

Tignes

With a history of welcoming snowboarders, Tignes is another resort that gets the thumbs up for backing the sport when it was in its infancy.

At an altitude of 2100 meters, it's got a superb snow record, with runs open almost all year round on the Grande Motte Glacier.

It forms part of the immense Espace Killy ski area, giving you around 300km of piste, and the backcountry is equally epic and easily accessible. Pro-freestylers flock here every March for the X-Games competition, and you can take your pick from the two snow parks, half-pipe and boarder cross-course.

Tignes also comes up trumps for scenic variety; you can board to the lake, visit the 'eye of the needle' , or slide past snow caves and frozen waterfalls en-route to Tignes le Bois - the resort's lowest altitude station.

And it's not just us that rate this resort: it's a hub for BASI instructor training and is a favourite testing ground for board manufacturers.

Why we rate it: A snow-sure resort where you're spoilt for choice.

Serre Chevalier

What's your idea of a perfect day's boarding?

If your snowboarding trips involve weaving through trees and speeding through gullies; bounding through powder bowls and dropping big cliffs; or flipping off kickers, riding bordercross courses, and working your way through wall rides, log-jibs, tables, and rails, Serre Chevalier hits the spot.

Strategically placed snowparks make for easy access and spectating, and marked zones for different levels allow beginners to build confidence.

With stacks of tree cover, Serre Chevalier's not only easy on the eye but is also brilliant for bad weather days, and with a charming and unassuming French village vibe to boot, it's easily one of France's most appealing resorts.

Why we rate it: Like a giant funpark, it caters for every type and level of snowboarder.

Courchevel

If perfect piste riding is what floats your board, this is the resort for you.

Part of the immense Three Valleys ski area, expect a massive choice of terrain and a super-efficient lift system that'll whisk you around the 160km of immaculate piste.

Whilst beginners enjoy the graduated nursery slopes and cruisey blues, confident intermediates love the long sweeping reds and rewarding black runs.

Freestyle is more of a family affair here, with 'fun zones' accommodating little ones and first timers, but there's also enough for advanced and intermediate riders, including an air-bag jump if you come at the right time. Decent freeride terrain and few drag lifts complete the appeal.

Why we rate it: A top choice for boarders with a passion for piste cruising.