2 weeks in December. Where to go.....?

We have been skiing in the Austrian Tirol for the last 10 years and feel like its time for a change of scenery. France or maybe Italy. We are used to very reasonable accommodation and food prices and don't want to get ripped off. We were thinking of Val Thorens / Avoriaz or Tignes but have been put off by some of the ski chatter.
We are very mobile on ski's and also need many km's of runs to keeps us entertained for 2 weeks. We are looking at going from 22 December 2012.
Any suggestions?

Hello Kleintjie,

Just some thoughts on what to consider.
Pre-xmas skiing can be a bit hit or miss with the snow. The last two seasons have been excellent early on but who knows what next December will bring. So ....

I'd want to be looking at something fairly high. Not just some high skiing but resorts and most of the skiing higher up. The reason being that you say you like the miles and having to drop down to a town/village without skiable snow to get over to the next bit would spoil things.

Variety of accomodation available pretty much everywhere for you to choose what suits you.

I'd be interested to know what chatter has put you off 3V, Espace Killy and Portes du Soleil? Is it costs of food/drink etc?

I have no real experience of Italy for skiing but in France have you looked at Paradiski? Les Arcs and La Plagne?

When in Austria do you tend to travel around to other local hills or stay skiing where the accomodation is?

And just another thought that may work for a two weeker.

Stay in Bourg St Maurice - funicular up to Les Arcs. Buses, taxis, maybe own car to access .....

St Foy for a day
La Rosiere - with lunch in Italy :-)
Val D'Isere/Tignes
La Plagne can be skied to or get the bus down the valley or back.
Three Valleys is a bit further but perfectly possible with an early start.

So from one base you would be accessing some of Europes best ski domains and you absolutely would not run out of pistes!!

Thanks OldAndy. You've given me some good tips and I'll go do my homework. Price of food and drink in the places I mentioned above have put me off.
We normally ski in skiwelt where all areas are interconnected with lifts. We prefer this type of resort.
Thanks for the help.

2 weeks - you lucky people! Try the Grand Massif - 265km of piste up to 2500 and only 1 hour from Geneva. In our 10 years in Les Carroz we've never been let down for early snow...