Are you looking to get into winter sports? Here is a selection of the best ski resorts in France to hit the powder!
Are you already thinking about your winter vacations in France, and looking to spend them on the slopes? Just the thing, as France boasts the crème de la crème of ski resorts. From the smallest to the largest, from the most exclusive to the most authentic, from the festive to the family-friendly, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for!
Glide along the best ski areas, discover exceptional landscapes, have fun in a variety of ways with friends and family, and create unforgettable memories.
Put on your warmest clothes, grab your boards and skis, strap on your hats and get ready to hit the slopes. We take you on a tour of the 10 best ski resorts in France.
1. Val Thorens
Famous resort in the 3 Valleys area, Val Thorens is known for its joviality and nightlife. The resort is also the highest in Europe and the highest point of the 3 Valleys. The largest ski area in the world with over 600 km of slopes, Val Thorens is also recognized for the impeccable quality of its snow and a range of diverse activities. In addition to skiing, you can try ice diving, paragliding, zip-lining, karting, outdoor yoga, and much more! After an exciting day, you can relax in a spa in a sports and wellness center covering more than 7200 km2. More than just a ski resort, Val Thorens is a way of life. Whether you are with family, friends, or as a couple, you will surely enjoy your ski holiday in one of the best resorts in France.
2. Courchevel
In the 3 Valleys area, we have the pioneering Courchevel! Originally a playground for a few shepherds, it has become a rapidly successful resort. And for good reason, it is one of the most innovative with its state-of-the-art equipment and innovative facilities. Ideally located in the heart of the Alps, the resort offers you exceptional panoramas between snowy slopes and dense forests. It also offers a variety of activities: mountaineering, canyoning, mountain biking, and much more! And since nothing is too good for visitors, Courchevel has 6 villages that will immerse you in different worlds. From the original village full of authenticity “Saint-Bon”, to the typical mountain village “Courchevel Le Praz”, through the secret “Courchevel La Tania”, the family-friendly “Courchevel Village”, the dynamic “Courchevel Moriond”, and the exceptional “Courchevel 1850”, the famous resort will surely leave an impression!
3. Méribel
Also located in the 3 Valleys area, Méribel offers slopes with ideal conditions and unparalleled snowfall. You can indulge in all your favorite winter sports: alpine skiing, freeriding, snowboarding, ski touring, seated skiing, and much more! Want more than just skiing? Don’t worry, there are plenty of activities in Méribel. Sled rides, snowmobiling, and a myriad of outdoor activities await you. Guaranteed fresh air and total disconnection. With its exceptional panoramic view and its “Family Plus” labeled valley, this charming mountain village is ideal for family holidays and nature lovers.
4. Val d’Isère
A world-renowned resort since the mid-20th century, Val d’Isère offers a unique ski area and panoramas. A land of champions – from Henri Oreiller to Clément Noël, through Christine Goitschel – the resort immerses visitors in an atmosphere of authenticity and excellence. Grab your skis and tackle the 300 km of slopes. If you’re up for it, the famous Face de Bellevarde is waiting for you! In case you don’t just want to ski, this renowned resort – among the best in France – offers a variety of outdoor activities and a popular and upscale après-ski for guaranteed good times. If you come with family, know that the resort also benefits from the “Family Plus” label, and the youngest can enjoy several quality play areas.
5. L’Alpe D’Huez
At over 1800 meters above sea level, find the Alpe d’Huez resort and its green plateaus. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities and climb to the top of the Grandes-Rousses massif to enjoy the many sports (hiking, aerial, cycling, horseback riding, etc.), cultural and relaxation activities. The Alpe d’Huez is also the setting for major events throughout the summer!
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6. Chamonix
Chamonix, this name surely rings a bell! This legendary resort, (re)known worldwide, offers no less than 4 ski areas that guarantee its reputation: Le Brévent, La Flégère, Balme, Les Grands Montets, and Les Houches. Here, you can enjoy various ideally located slopes facing the Mont Blanc range and extraordinary off-piste routes. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers will surely find areas suited to their levels. But if Chamonix is so popular, it’s also thanks to the range of activities the resort offers its visitors. Day and night you are guaranteed to be entertained in the best way. Theme parks, hikes, climbing, rafting, bars, clubs, restaurants, and much more are set up to guarantee you an exceptional stay. So don’t hesitate to head to this cosmopolitan resort where you can try new things with family or friends!
7. Megève
Located in the Evasion Mont Blanc area – offering no less than 445 kilometers of slopes – Megève is an ideal ski resort for skiing enthusiasts of all levels. Want a change of scenery and discover vast spaces? Don’t hesitate and opt for a stay in this authentic mountain village! Whether you are with friends or family, whether you are fans of freestyle disciplines or rather classic ones, you will surely find what you are looking for in Megève. Although it can be considered a skiing paradise – especially thanks to the quality of its snow, its beautiful slopes, and its dedicated freestyle area – the resort offers much more than that. Between various outdoor activities, cultural activities, and typical gastronomy, Megève offers you a unique and friendly experience.
8. Tignes
With its 300 km of slopes, Tignes invites skiing enthusiasts to enjoy unlimited superb conditions and premium quality snow. If you like to push your limits, you can enjoy the 3200 hectares of off-piste area that the resort shares with Val d’Isère. Are you afraid that skiing is the only activity at this altitude? Don’t panic! Tignes ensures a rhythmic and varied stay. From athletes to party-goers, to relaxation enthusiasts, the resort makes sure to please everyone. You can thus indulge in winter sports, but also try paddleboarding, archery, or even kayaking, to name a few. Between authenticity and modernity, Tignes promises a refreshing break in the heart of the Alps!
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9. La Plagne
Ski resort in the Tarentaise valley, La Plagne is also and especially 6 altitude resorts (from 1800 to 2100 meters): Plagne Aime 2000, Plagne Center, Plagne Bellecôte, Belle Plagne, Plagne 1800, and Plagne Village / Sun. As you will have understood, the choice is not lacking in La Plagne. You can choose what best meets your expectations, whether you are looking for pure authenticity or avant-gardism. This characterful resort guarantees you a charming and friendly holiday. Put on your skis and head for Paradiski, one of the largest connected ski areas in the world. Do you want to have fun and/or relax off the slopes? Several other outdoor activities are offered: paragliding, snowmobiling, zip-lining, and more! If you’re saturated with fresh air (how is that possible?), concerts, shows, swimming pools, bowling alleys, or even escape games are waiting for you.
10. Les Arcs
Nestled in the confines of the Alps, the Les Arcs resort enjoys an ideal location. Also attached to the Paradiski ski area, it offers no less than 425 km of slopes to skiing enthusiasts making it one of France ‘s top ski resorts. Its strong point: it consists of 5 sites – located at different altitude levels – that immerse the visitor in varied atmospheres.
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By choosing to spend your ski holiday at the Les Arcs resort, you ensure a tailor-made experience, based on your desires and expectations. Whether you are looking for calm, authenticity, thrills, or family activities, you will be won over by the undeniable charm of the resort and its villages. Off-piste enthusiasts will also find their happiness thanks to the large spaces – still little practiced – that Les Arcs makes available to them. Numerous facilities have been created to ensure a stay where boredom is not on the agenda: snowpark, bordercross, toboggan run, and many other surprises! All with breathtaking panoramas where Mont Blanc stands majestically.
