Quiz time starts at 7 pm at the National Union of Outdoor Sports Centers (UCPA) at Val Thorens, one of the French Alps' biggest ski resorts. "Bangladesh's capital? Who's got it?" asked the host from his podium in the middle of the bar. Tucked into their sofas with a beer in their hand, the young skiers' faces were tanned after having spent the day on the slopes of the 3 Vallées ski resort. Others had already left for the cafeteria to fill their plates with fries and burgers. The evening had only just begun at this adult ski resort, which was fully booked for the whole winter. The rest of the night would take place in the upstairs nightclub or the bars of Val Thorens.

For these young people – most were aged between 25 and 35 – these "all-inclusive" stays, with nights in four-person rooms and full board, are primarily a way of skiing while keeping costs down. Aurélie (who didn't give her last name), 31, came with a friend and paid €860 a week – excluding transport. "It's a fun atmosphere, you get to meet lots of people... And it's one of the rare cheap ways to come here. The question is, at what age should you stop? Because at some point, you just don't feel like you belong in a beer-pong tournament," said this nurse from Bordeaux.

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