20 best ski resorts in France
Unsurpassed France has an impressive range of resort areas, abundantly scattered throughout the country's mountain systems. Cities and towns offer tourists great opportunities for active winter sports and an unforgettable relaxing holiday in the highlands. Ski resorts in France offer a wide variety of mountain serpentines and entertainment for every taste, modern infrastructure and an extensive ski area.
Courchevel
The world-famous Courchevel is a fashionable ski resort in France. It is located in the heart of the valley of the Alps and consists of several cozy villages located at five different heights. A popular area with modern infrastructure is of particular interest to connoisseurs of active and varied winter recreation.
Well-prepared ski slopes of varying difficulty attract the attention of all categories of tourists who, to a greater or lesser extent, prefer mountain sports. Beginners and advanced skiers alike will find a trail that suits their skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling skills. There is a whole string of easy slopes, as well as long straight and wide paths for flat skiing.
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Thrill-seekers will love the huge variety of extreme routes that run through the forest thickets at an altitude of about 2700 meters. Courchevel impresses with a developed system of lifts, an abundance of first-class hotel complexes, gourmet restaurants and fashionable boutiques of leading brands. Offers a rich program of entertainment for every taste. Concert halls, cinemas, casinos, fitness centers, art galleries and other various establishments are at the disposal of vacationers.
Meribel
The Alpine village of Meribel will delight every connoisseur of a comfortable stay. It is famous for its magnificent tracks, picturesque landscapes and developed infrastructure. The village is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters among majestic mountains and dense coniferous forests. The modern system of cable cars allows vacationers to reach the tops of the slopes of all levels of difficulty.
Here are widely represented first-class blue, green, red and black slopes, the height of which reaches 3000 meters. Great for beginner skiers. On each slope there are not difficult sections of the descent. The town of Meribel is built in a single architectural style of a chalet, which creates a special cozy atmosphere in the valley.
Small wooden cottages with gable roofs enchant with their warm intonations against the backdrop of snow-white snow. The resort is not filled with five-star hotels, trendy shops and luxury restaurants. Tourists come here to enjoy the exciting skiing, snowboarding and sledding, as well as hiking along the alpine trails. Among other attractions, the Olympic Park is available with swimming pools, saunas, a gym, a cinema, an ice rink, a climbing wall and other tourist attractions. Meribel offers budget accommodation and dining options compared to the popular Courchevel.
Val Thorens
The town of Val Thorens has gained fame as one of the most attractive ski resorts in the world. It is located at an altitude of 2200 meters, surrounded by majestic glaciers with sharp peaks. Here dominates the longest ski season in Europe. This is an ideal place where tourists can have a wonderful winter active holiday.
Steady snow cover, numerous cross-country trails and high-tech lifts create ideal conditions for skiing in the rays of the bright sun and admiring the dizzying high-mountain panoramas. The streets of the village are completely free from cars, for which there are separate parking spaces. Filled with a large number of hotels, cottages and restaurants.
Hotels were built in the immediate vicinity of the ski lifts. The total length of the ski slopes reaches 140 kilometers. Professional skiers have access to red and black routes, characterized by an abundance of sharp turns and the absence of gentle sections. For beginners, blue and green slopes are prepared. Val Thorens offers tourists a wide variety of activities and entertainment. At the disposal of vacationers there are ring ice tracks, various slopes and springboards for snowmobiling and snowboarding.
Le Menuire
Among the resorts of the legendary French region “Three Valleys”, the alpine village of Le Menuire occupies a worthy place. Thanks to its developed infrastructure, this modern ski area meets all the requirements of even the most demanding tourists. The town is devoid of the charm of an old village. Numerous cottage complexes have been erected here, offering guests comfortable apartments. The village is known for its friendly attitude towards family vacationers.
For them, a children‘s club is provided, where young athletes acquire basic skiing skills. Les Menuires has excellent conditions for all categories of winter sports fans – from amateurs to experts. The extensive ski area consists of ski slopes of different difficulty levels. For beginner skiers there is a separate flat area.
The mountain slopes are equipped with comfortable lifts and sports equipment rentals. Experienced skiers and snowboarders appreciate the high-speed slopes with jumps and twisty turns. After an exciting ride, guests are offered an extensive entertainment program. On the territory of Les Menuires there is an aqua club, an outdoor ice rink, a sports complex and a wellness center. Bars, restaurants and discos will not let nightlife lovers get bored.
La Tania
La Tania is famous for its picturesque scenery and excellent opportunities for winter sports. The village is attractive for rather low prices for housing and food. It is aimed at family tourists who want to relax away from the noisy city bustle in the bosom of pristine nature.
There is no abundance of entertainment here, except for ski slopes and snow slopes of varying degrees of difficulty. Wooden buildings erected on wooded slopes against the backdrop of majestic mountains give the village a special charming atmosphere. Hotel apartments are not inferior in comfort to the popular resorts of the Three Valleys region.
La Tania has green, blue, red and black runs. More than 60 lifts serve vacationers. Athletes of an average level of training will enjoy skiing along forest routes to their heart's content. A cross-country skiing track has been laid among the dense forest. For outdoor activities, tourists are invited to take a walk on snowshoes, ride a sleigh and dog sled. Restaurants, pubs and bars invite guests to unwind after a busy day of sports.
Alpe d'Huez
On a high plateau is one of the oldest European ski resorts – Alpe d'Huez. It is known for its impressive territory of 30,000 hectares. A modern system of lifts serves a huge vertical height difference of more than 2000 meters. A rich variety of trails, a wide selection of hotels of different star ratings and bewitching natural landscapes – all this attracts the attention of numerous tourists. The mountain range is facing south.
Such a favorable geographical position allows vacationers to enjoy the sunny weather throughout the day. Long trails differ from each other by several levels of difficulty. Tourists can choose the slope that suits their skiing skills.
Thrill-seekers will find themselves driving along a winding slope through a tunnel carved into the glaciers. Beginning skiers are offered training trails and slopes. You can find gentle slopes for cross-country skiing, a skiing area for snowboarding, an ice rink, a health center, and a sports complex. The city has restaurants, bars and nightlife.
Les Deux Alpes
At the foot of the majestic Mont-de-Lans glacier lies the town of Les Deux Alpes. This high mountain resort is suitable for year-round winter sports. The variety of natural landscapes of the region is amazing. Sun-drenched snowy meadows coexist with mountains, rocky areas and coniferous forests. Modern buildings made of glass and concrete are erected next to the old wooden chalets. The developed infrastructure satisfies the highest requirements of vacationers of all ages.
The village is built up with cottages, hotels and shops. Les Deux Alpes has gained fame as a fashionable and lively youth resort. There are a lot of bars, restaurants and nightclubs here. Magnificent snow cover guarantees tourists exciting skiing at any time of the year. The total length of the tracks is 200 kilometers. Altitude difference – from 1300 to 3600 meters.
Mountain slopes attract the attention of both professional and beginner skiers, freeriders and snowboarders. Here you can find simple green and blue sections, as well as quite extreme red and black runs. Guests are offered a full range of active entertainment: snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, paragliding, swimming in the pools, visiting the sauna and much more. The snowpark is popular with a vast ski area equipped with jumps and sports gutters.
Chamonix
One of the oldest European ski resorts, Chamonix attracts tourists from all over the world. Here in 1924 the first Winter Olympic Games were held. The Alpine town is located in a valley surrounded on all sides by the fascinating Mont Blanc mountain range, at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level. The prevailing number of well-prepared ski slopes of various difficulty levels lies at an altitude of more than 2000 meters.
Guests can expect a wide range of entertainment, a developed system of lifts, an abundance of hotel complexes and well-equipped mountain slopes. At the service of vacationers there are colorful gastronomic establishments, a sports complex with swimming pools, playgrounds and a fitness room, as well as an entertainment center.
Chamonix ski slopes are divided into four separate ski areas. Beginners can hone their skills on simple wide green and blue pistes. For experienced experienced skiers and snowboarders, black and red slopes are provided, replete with sharp turns. The property is the White Valley. This is a multi-kilometer downhill run along the glacier.
Saint Martin de Belleville
The village of Saint-Martin de Belleville is part of the world-famous 3 Valleys ski area. Alpine provincial cozy town is an original quiet place that looks like a sentimental Christmas card. Majestic mountain peaks with snow-capped peaks rise up above the resort. Wooden and stone chalets, scattered on the slopes, give the village a special charm.
Pleasant impressions will leave a vast ski area, consisting of a variety of routes. Prices for accommodation, meals and other services here are much lower than in neighboring resorts. Saint-Martin de Belleville offers guests 160 kilometers of ski slopes. Beginning skiers, after running on the training slopes, can go to conquer light blue and green forest trails.
Experienced athletes will not be left out when choosing difficult red and black dizzying slopes. The valley has many kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoeing. Snowboarding enthusiasts have access to a specialized area equipped with all kinds of sports facilities to perform impressive tricks. Restaurants and bars, shops and a spa center await their visitors.
Mezhev
The picturesque alpine village of Megeve is one of the popular fashionable European resorts, located on a high mountain slope. It has first-class groomed ski slopes that run through dense thickets of spruce and fir forests. The cobbled streets of the city center are lined with exquisite wooden chalets. A single architectural ensemble gives this place an old look of aristocratic gloss.
The village has many prestigious hotels and restaurants that look like traditional alpine cottages. The high level of prices corresponds to the luxury reigning here. Megeve attracts its guests with three ski areas. The ski slopes, varied in difficulty and terrain, are ideal for both beginners and experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Green and blue routes guarantee tourists a calm and safe ride.
For those who want to test their skills and raise the level of adrenaline in the blood, high-speed extended red and black difficult sections with impressive slopes and turns are available. Snowboarding enthusiasts will appreciate the snow sections organized for freestyle and equipped with sports modules. The active recreation program will diversify a visit to the sports center with outdoor and indoor pools, a fitness room, an ice rink, playgrounds, a climbing wall and other joys for body and soul. At the disposal of tourists there are three cinemas, an abundance of boutiques, casinos and spas.
La Bresse
Families with children are advised to go to the mountain village of La Bresse. This is a famous ski station in the eastern part of France. There are many opportunities for winter sports here. Tourists are invited to fully devote their time to exciting skiing, snowboarding, skating and sledding. La Bresse offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget apartments to luxury hotels.
For young athletes, there are specialized areas where experienced instructors will teach children the skills and features of skiing. Ski slopes of varying difficulty are located at an altitude of 907 to 1115 meters. The highlight is providing tourists with the opportunity to make a night skiing on an illuminated slope. After an active sports holiday, you can relax in the fitness center, go to the cinema, go snowshoeing, play bowling, and taste delicious French cuisine in one of the many restaurants.
morzine
In a picturesque valley between the peaks of majestic ridges at an altitude of 1000 meters, Europe's largest ski resort Morzine is located. Despite its popularity, the town has retained its historical architectural appearance and the cozy atmosphere of a traditional alpine village. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with old stone and wooden chalets. Holidays in Morzine are recommended for tourists on a budget. Affordable prices for housing and food attract a considerable number of travelers.
Developed infrastructure will not let either adults or children get bored. Guests are offered a huge variety of bars, restaurants, shops and discos. Snowshoeing, skiing, hot air ballooning, as well as sledding, ice skating and snowboarding – all this makes up a bright palette of active winter entertainment. The hotel fund is represented by hotels of two and three categories of stars.
The hallmark of Morzine is an extensive ski area, consisting of numerous ski slopes of any difficulty level. Beginner skiers have access to simple green and blue spacious pistes without sharp turns. For experienced athletes, the red and black slopes that run through dense thickets of forests are of interest.
Avoriasis
Near the Swiss border is the amazingly beautiful ski resort of Avoriaz. It was built on a plateau, the height of which reaches 1800 meters. One of the snowiest cities in Europe, the pristine beauty of the Alpine nature and excellent opportunities for active winter sports. Surrounded by mountain ranges and pine forests, multi-storey examples of modern architecture have been erected, integrated into the traditional alpine countryside.
The movement of vehicles is prohibited here, thanks to which a favorable ecological atmosphere is maintained. A large selection of apartments is offered by budget hotels of two and three star categories. The city is famous for its variety of entertainment for every taste. Sports complexes, an ice rink, baths, swimming pools, a water park, spas and many other delights of active pastime await tourists. Evening rest diversifies visits to bars and restaurants, cinemas and discos, shops and boutiques. In Avoriaz there are more than 250 slopes with a total length of 650 kilometers.
The slopes are served by 38 lifts. The impressive skiing area is of interest to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Ski slopes consist of blue, green and black routes. There are long stretches for cross-country skiers. Snow parks are popular, where freestylers perform all sorts of tricks on ski jumps and various sports facilities. For children there are separate areas with training slopes.
Mud
The French town of Tignes has undeniable advantages, for which many tourists flock to the mountainous regions. It is located at an altitude of more than 2 kilometers at the foot of a grandiose glacier. Guests are guaranteed excellent skiing on numerous ski slopes. Developed infrastructure offers ample opportunities for a memorable vacation at very affordable affordable prices.
Tignes has three and four star hotels, as well as restaurants, nightclubs, a casino, an ice rink, a fitness center with swimming pools and a gym. In all its glory, picturesque slopes rise up to 3650 meters. They are served by a modern system of lifts. Trails are classified by different colors, corresponding to the level of difficulty of the route.
The slopes are recommended for skiers with a good level of training. An unforgettable experience will leave the descent from the top of the Grand Motte glacier. The snow park has excellent conditions for snowboarding. Professional snowboarders can perform a series of dizzying jumps with the help of sports modules. Noteworthy are cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding and extreme climbing on a sheer wall of a frozen waterfall.
Val d'Isère
The luxurious old snow-covered village of Val d'Isère welcomes its guests cordially. One of the popular mountain resorts in France has retained the original architectural appearance of a traditional alpine village. Wooden chalets with gable roofs were built in a narrow valley at an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level.
Modern sports infrastructure favors first-class exciting recreation. Magnificent ski slopes, picturesque landscapes and a huge choice of entertainment for every taste make Val d'Isère an attractive place for tourists. Most hotels, apartments and pensions are located in the immediate vicinity of the ski lifts. The ski area of 10,000 hectares consists of numerous slopes of varying difficulty.
More than a third of the routes are red and black routes. Beginner skiers are offered a considerable number of green slopes. The elevation difference is 1850-3500 meters. Guests can enjoy snowmobiling and snowshoeing, long stretches for cross-country skiing and snowboarding, an ice rink and paragliding. You can relax in the sauna, swim in the pool, taste delicious dishes in the restaurant and keep fit in the gym.
Les Arc
Les Arcs is located in the central part of the Tarentaise Valley, which is part of the French Alps. Modern architecture, comfortable living conditions, well-equipped ski slopes and an abundance of entertainment – this property is famous for the cozy town of Les Arcs. It consists of several stations located at different heights. All of them are interconnected by a developed system of cable cars.
The beauty of the surrounding nature is conducive to a wonderful holiday. A variety of well-maintained ski slopes delights lovers of active sports. Wide and narrow, steep and gentle sections of the routes run through pine forests and snow-covered meadows. The main part of the ski area originates at an altitude of 1200 meters. The presence of red and black slopes will satisfy the requirements of experienced skiers. Noteworthy is the multi-kilometer exciting vertical descent from a height of 2026 meters.
For intermediate-level athletes, simple blue slopes are arranged. In Les Arcs, the snow parks are equipped with jumps and specialized structures for performing tricks. Tired of plowing the mountain slopes, tourists can take a calm ski trip in the silence of the forest, recuperate in the pool or in the fitness center. In addition, cinemas, bars, restaurants and night discos are available.
Brides les Bains
The cozy town of Brides-les-Bains is famous for its skiing opportunities and health centers with thermal springs. It is located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level and is ideal for people who find it difficult to endure acclimatization in highlands. The settlement is the most budget resort among the popular places in the French region of the Three Valleys. This is due to the remoteness of Brides-les-Bains from the ski slopes.
The Olympe high-mountain lift will take lovers of active winter sports in 25 minutes to the nearest ski area in the village of Meribel, where there are luxurious slopes of any complexity. The city has a developed hotel base. There is a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops. There are various nightclubs, a cinema and a casino. Brides-les-Bains has gained fame as a famous thermal resort. A modern health complex offers vacationers a wide range of treatment for various types of diseases with healing mud, mineral waters and massage.
paradisks
The relatively young modern region of Paradiski will not leave indifferent adherents of ski holidays. The vast ski area is the second largest in France after the famous “Three Valleys”. The territory unites such popular cities as La Plagne, Les Arcs and Peisey Vallandry. A variety of hotel options guarantee guests comfortable living conditions. Most 2-4 star hotels are built on the slopes, which allows guests to ski right from the doorstep.
Paradiski provides its guests with an impressive range of sports entertainment. More than 400 kilometers of well-prepared trails of all difficulty levels are at the disposal of tourists. They spread at an altitude of 1200 to 3250 meters. There are a sufficient number of both blue wide slopes and high-speed red routes.
Professional skiers will enjoy the fifteen-kilometer descent from the top of the Bellecote Glacier, as well as the extreme track with a 76-degree slope. Of interest is the exciting off-piste skiing on the slopes among the dense forest. You can go cross-country skiing and rock climbing through ice caves, go sledding and dog sledding. In the villages of Paradiski, vacationers can expect numerous restaurants, spas, entertainment centers, discos and cinemas. After a busy active day, you can relax in the pools and saunas, as well as have fun in the discos.
Driven
The small alpine village of Vaujany has a first-class reputation for being a quiet place with a developed modern infrastructure. It is the choice of many tourists who highly appreciate the quality of the services provided. A cozy measured atmosphere dominates here, ideally corresponding to an exciting family vacation. Numerous ski schools in Vaujany provide an opportunity for adults and children to learn the basic elements of skiing and snowboarding. Wooden chalets and exquisite cottages provide guests with affordable comfortable apartments.
The total length of the tracks reaches 250 kilometers. Most of them are designed for beginners and lovers of calm descents. These are wide and gentle routes, marked in blue and green. Professional skiers have access to difficult sections located at altitudes of 2100-3300 meters. From the top of Peak Blanc descends a black track, chosen by experienced athletes. After skiing, tourists will enjoy spending time in the pool, spa and entertainment center. The village has many restaurants, bars and an ice skating rink.
Argentier
At an altitude of 1035 meters above sea level, at the foot of the majestic Mont Blanc mountain range, is the small town of Argentiere. This resort area owes its international recognition to the huge variety of ski slopes. Numerous tourists are attracted by the long winter season, which lasts from December to May. The hotel fund is represented by several first-class complexes and an abundance of budget cozy chalets.
Magnificent stable snow cover and amazing terrain allows outdoor enthusiasts to get real pleasure from exciting skiing. The highest mark of the ski area reaches 3300 meters. Here, steep slopes and difficult rocky areas are combined with gentle and wide trails. Experienced skiers and freeriders choose the vertical exit from the top of the glacier.
Those who prefer cross-country skiing have access to 42 kilometers of a well-prepared route. Among other sports activities, it is worth highlighting sledding, ice skating and snowmobiles, snowshoeing, and rock climbing. Argentiere has bars, restaurants and children's clubs. Tourists can swim in the pool, visit spas, and work out in the fitness center.