France is one of the best skiing destinations in the world. With magnificent Alpine peaks and the glorious Pyrenees mountains, this country doesn’t disappoint in terms of quality, quantity and proposition. The ski resorts here come in all shapes and sizes. From the glamorous towns drawing celebrities to affordable family-friendly mountain villages, from professional-level slopes fit for the Olympic descents to calm beginner routes for a relaxing downhill experience. And did we mention the views? You simply can’t beat the grandeur of Europe’s highest mountain Mont Blanc and the endless white kingdom of the Alps. Add a superb level of service, the centuries-old culture of skiing, authentic French charms, excellent food and you’re getting a premium winter destination.
Chamonix
A classical European skiing destination and one of the world’s pioneer towns for winter sports, Chamonix doesn’t need a long introduction. Nestled in a valley next to Mont Blanc and located in close proximity to both Italy and Switzerland, it is a legendary resort city with a wide range of exciting activities to choose from. Since the 19th century, Chamonix has welcomed generations of tourists from France and Europe. It also became the hosting city of the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924.
Come here and you will find a variety of stunning hotels and vacation rentals with breathtaking views of the highest Alps. As for the skiing, there are 3 separate ski areas, more than 110 kilometers of slopes and all imaginable winter sports activities. It is also home to Vallée Blanche, one of the world’s most iconic off-piste descents. The majority of slopes are accessible via cable car Aiguille du Midi that is (unsurprisingly) the highest vertical ascent cable car on our planet.
Courchevel
It’s hard to find a more iconic ski resort than Courchevel. It embodies the chic of the French winter holidays, the mightiness of the Alps and the diversity of skiing opportunities. Also, it’s an ultimate deluxe getaway. 11 five-star hotels, 7 Michelin-starred restaurants and the presence of all major high street fashion brands are making Courchevel somewhat a Billionaire’s Row in the heart of the Alps. The prices are definitely something to keep in mind when choosing a vacation here but once you find an accommodation that fits your needs, this resort exceeds the expectations offering one of the most exclusive winter experiences in the world. It is a part of Les 3 Vallées, an extensive area of interconnected valleys that offers a whopping 600 kilometers of slopes and 25 peaks that can be accessed using 183 ski lifts.
Morzine-Avoriaz
Those looking for a family-friendly French ski holiday would be delighted to find Morzine. A part of the extensive Portes du Soleil ski sports area connecting resorts along the Swiss-French border, this town along with purposely built for tourism Avoriaz make for an exciting holiday destination. There’s everything both a beginner and expert skier could ask for. Here you’ll find excellent pistes of different difficulties in diverse terrain. The views are spectacular and apres-ski opportunities are plentiful. There are also many off-piste, backcountry and ski touring areas where you can really feel the true Alpine atmosphere. For accommodation choose one of the traditional Savoy wooden chalets to give you an authentic local experience.
Val-d'Isère
Everything is thought out in the Val-d’Isère-Tignes ski area in order for the visitors to have the best winter experience they can get in the French Alps. The stunning position on the high altitudes ensures that there’s always a great snow cover. The abundance of lifts to reach the hundreds of kilometers of slopes offers a wide variety of skiing options. The rich centuries-old history of welcoming tourists from around the world means that restaurants, clubs, bars and hotels never end. Val-d’Isère is an exemplary ski resort in France. One of the best ones in the world to be more precise. Here you’re getting a quintessential winter holiday without much hassle. So order your ski pass and enter this thrilling world of Alpine entertainment.
Les Arcs
vFamous for its modernist architecture and film festival, Les Arcs is one of the most popular ski resorts in the French Alps. A part of an extensive Paradiski area that boasts 160 lifts and 425 kilometers of pistes, this winter getaway can offer a top-notch proposition that caters to literally any skiing need. Also, this area is great for experts with 22 black and 79 red (intermediate) runs as well as challenging off-piste routes. You should check the neighboring resort of La Plagne, another great destination along Tarentaise Valley and a part of Paradiski. It is great for a less challenging family-friendly ski time. You can reach La Plagne from Les Arcs by taking a scenic double-decker Vanoise Express cable car.
La Clusaz
Much quieter than purposely-built megaresorts, La Clusaz is your picture-perfect Alpine destination with a stone church and chalets juxtapositioned against a dramatic mountain backdrop. Perfect for a laid-back romantic retreat or a family vacation, this resort town offers 85 slopes and 49 ski lifts that would work great for beginners and intermediate skiers. Also, it’s freeriding heaven with a kaleidoscope of diverse terrains and a pantheon of local freeriding sports heroes. You can do a wide array of other winter activities too such as sledding, snowshoeing, paragliding and horse riding.
Les Gets
A short drive away from Geneva and the lake, Les Gets is a relaxing ski resort in the Portes du Soleil ski area. Retaining an authentic village atmosphere and located outside the main road, this destination has a calm and contemplative flair. Still, there are 71 slopes and 47 lifts accessible directly from Les Gets to keep the skiers busy exploring the snowy Chablais Alps delights and enjoying the unparalleled views. While there, introduce yourself to the mouthwatering world of the Savoy cuisine tasting tartiflette (potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons and onions casserole), raclette (traditional melted cheese), fondue (another kind of melted cheese that is typical for both Savoy and Switzerland), and make sure to have a sip of génépi Alpine liquor.
La Rosière
A part of Espace San Bernardo ski area connecting French and Italian slopes, La Rosière is a fantastic example of an inter-European resort. Enjoying splendid views of Vanoise National Park, this destination is there to deliver a premium quality of winter activities. It is smaller than its famous French counterparts Val-d’Isère or Chamonix but that’s the whole point. La Rosière works perfectly for beginners and intermediate skiers that will definitely find its 154 km of slopes compelling. Add proximity to Italy, a chance to experience two cuisines at once, plenty of non-ski outdoor activities and you’re getting a magnificent resort town in the French Alps.
Le Grand Tourmalet
Fancy something different? Discover Le Grand Tourmalet, the largest ski resort of another superb mountain range in France, the Pyrenees, shared with Spain and Andorra. Although the ski area is smaller and more boutique compared to the sprawling Alpine ski networks, over 100 kilometers with 69 pistes and 28 ski lifts offer a great (and more affordable) winter alternative. Lesser known and largely underrated, Le Grand Tourmalet has all the same winter fun. Also, coming here gives you a chance to experience the traditional culture of the Occitanie region of France and discover the spectacular sights of Hautes-Pyrénées like Pic du Midi Observatory perched on the 2,877-meter altitude or the spectacular Lourdes Sanctuary, a major Catholic pilgrimage site.
Les Deux Alpes
If you love heights, Les Deux Alpes seems like an ideal pick. First of all, it is home to the largest skiable glacier in Europe. Then, the resort’s top elevation reaches an impressive 3,600 meters and it is considered to be France’s high altitude skiing capital. 96 runs and 51 lifts ensure a smooth descent experience for professionals and beginners alike. Les Deux Alpes is also great for challenging, steep slopes where extreme run aficionados can cut their teeth. But the main advantage of this resort is its extensive proposition that can offer something to every winter leisure enthusiast. You can find one of the best snowparks in the country, a colorful apres-ski bar scene, countless hiking opportunities and myriads of non-ski activities to choose from.
L'Alpe d'Huez
Famous for being one of the sunniest ski resorts in France and known to cycling fans as a challenging Tour de France venue, L’Alpe d’Huez is a premier winter destination fit for an excellent vacation. A perfect family getaway, it boasts 249 kilometers of ski runs, stunning downhill opportunities, a lively restaurant scene and vibrant apres-ski bars for any budget. All of it accompanied by the unspeakable beauty of the rocky Western Alps.
