Wanting to spend 2-3 weeks skiing in Europe

[tps8]

Next November and December I am going to be in Europe for holidays and would like to focus 2-3 weeks on the holiday for skiing.

I would like to keep costs low (lift tickets, transportation, and lodging) where possible. I am looking to stay in-bounds, but would go out of bounds if it doesn't require more than 300 meters of hiking and I get to a lift after the running. No helicopters or hiking half the day for me. I would also like to do some skiing on steep groomed trails.

I'm looking at the following countries: France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and possibly the Czech Republic. And remember, I only have 2-3 weeks, so I'd like to get as much a mix in that I can to really experience European skiing. If you think I'm missing a country, please let me know. FWIW, I will be visiting most of Italy, Cannes, France, Greece (both inland and the islands), and Prague for my holiday that doesn't include skiing.

Can anybody who has any information on good places to go in these countries please tell me. English of French speaking is a must - I don't speak any other languages so going to some small mountain in the Austria where they only speak German won't work.

I'm trying to start planning now. Public transportation is a must, good rates is a must, good skiing is a must (I don't mind going to a resort off the beaten path), and a good night life would be nice, too. I plan on doing the skiing part of my holiday at the end of my trip, which will be around December 10th until somewhere around the 25th.

Thanks.

[PK]

Mayrhofen. The lift pass covers the whole Zilertall valley which is huge, the area is served by free ski buses, it's a party town and very international and it has the steepest pisted black in Austria.

It's always best learning the basics of a language though, even just yes/no/thanks/wanna fuck.

[TDJ]

I'd opt for a road trip and ski in France, Swizerland, Italy and Austria.

The public transport constraint doesn't make it easier, a car is always easier.. more room and, unlike trains and busses, they stop right in front of your destination's door.

What would be nice is to fly to Geneva and from there, head to Chamonix. From Cham you head east trough the Rhône valley and hit some cool ski areas ( Leysin, GD. st B., Leysin, 4vallees(Verbier), Crans Montana, Lötchental(lotchberg, much snow there), Zinal and Zermatt& Saas Fee.
Driving further Eastwards you could check out Andermatt, Laax, Disentis etc.
From there, Drive south and enjoy non skiing day in Verona.
From Verona you drive north into the Italian alps, witch I don't know much about (todo!).
Now drive north-west and hit areas like St. Anton, Ischgl and the Montafon area( in lost&found!).
After schredding there, you head east to Innsbruck and hit some of the many ski area's around the city. Next, you ski the Zillertal.
From the Zillertal you go east in the direction of Salzburg. There are many cool little area's to hit like Heiligenblut, Obertauern, Sladming.

On your last day, drive to München, chill, and take the plane home.

In this scenario, you just scratched the Alp’s surface. You have seen a little bit of quite some of ski areas but haven’t gotten to know them very well.

[tps8]

Do you know if there is a minimum age - like in America - to rent a rental car? In America it's 25, and I'm not that old...yet. : )

And where do you rent one without getting ripped off? My friend in Cannes can probably point me to one there, but I figured you couldn't go out of the country with them.