Looking to get into winter sports? Here’s a selection of the best ski resorts 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 with friends and family in a variety of ways 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. Generation Voyage takes you on a tour of the 10 best ski resorts in France.
On your tushpulls…get set…everyone on the track!
1. Val Thorens
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Elisa Locci
A famous resort in the 3 Vallées area, Val Thorens is renowned for its joviality and nightlife, but not only that. The resort is also the highest in Europe and the highest point of the 3 Vallées ski area. The world’s largest ski area, with over 600 km of pistes, Val Thorens is also renowned for the impeccable quality of its snow and its wide range of activities.
As well as skiing, you can try your hand at ice diving, paragliding, zip-lining, go-karting, outdoor yoga and much more! After a day full of emotions, you can relax in a spa in the heart of a sports and wellness center covering more than 7200 km2.
Exceptional natural surroundings, unusual activities, top-of-the-range facilities and a friendly atmosphere! Much more than a ski resort, Val Thorens is an art of living. Whether you’re with family, friends or loved ones, you’re sure to enjoy your ski holiday in one of France’s finest resorts.
2. Courchevel
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In the 3 Valleys area, this time we’re asking for the pioneer Courchevel! Originally the playground of a few shepherds, it has become a dazzlingly successful resort. And with good reason: it’s one of the most innovative resorts in the world, with its state-of-the-art facilities and innovative amenities.
Ideally located in the heart of the Alps, the resort offers exceptional panoramic views of snow-covered slopes and dense forests. It also offers a wide range of activities: mountaineering, canyoning, mountain biking and much more! And because nothing is too good for the visitor, Courchevel has 6 villages that will plunge you into different worlds.
From the authentic original village of Saint-Bon, to the typical mountain village of Courchevel Le Praz, to the secret Courchevel La Tania, the family-friendly Courchevel Village, the dynamic Courchevel Moriond and the exceptional Courchevel »Courchevel Village », the dynamic « Courchevel Moriond » and the exceptional « Courchevel 1850 », the famous resort is sure to leave a lasting impression!
3. Méribel
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Also part of the 3 Valleys ski area, Méribel boasts ideal slope conditions and unrivalled snow coverage. You can enjoy all your favorite winter sports: downhill skiing, freeride, snowboarding, ski touring, sit-skiing and much more!
Want to do more than just hit the slopes? Don’t worry, there’s plenty to do in Méribel. Sleigh rides, snowmobiling and a myriad of outdoor activities await you. Fresh air and total relaxation guaranteed.
With its exceptional panoramic views and « Famille Plus » label valley, this charming mountain village is ideal for family vacations and nature lovers.
4. Val d’Isère
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A world-renowned resort since the middle of the 20th century, Val d’Isère offers a unique ski area and panoramic views. A land of champions – from Henri Oreiller to Clément Noël and Christine Goitschel – the resort immerses visitors in an atmosphere of authenticity and excellence.
Grab your skis and hit the 300 km of pistes. If you’re feeling motivated, the famous Face de Bellevarde is just waiting for you!
If you don’t want to take to the heights just to put on your skis, this renowned resort – one of the best in France – offers a variety of outdoor activities and a popular, upscale après-ski scene for a guaranteed good time. If you’re bringing the whole family, the resort has also been awarded the « Famille Plus » label, and there are a number of high-quality play areas for younger guests.
5. L’Alpe D’Huez
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Gaspar Janos
At an altitude of over 1,800 meters, you’ll find theAlpe 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 sporting (hiking, flying, cycling, horse-riding, etc.), cultural and leisure activities on offer. Alpe d’Huez is also the scene of major events throughout the summer!
6. Chamonix
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Roberto Caucino
The name Chamonix is bound to ring a bell! This legendary resort, (re)famous the world over, offers you no less than 4 ski areas that guarantee its renown: Le Brévent, la Flégère, Balme, les Grands Montets and les Houches.
Here, you can enjoy a variety of slopes ideally placed to face the Mont Blanc chain, as well as extraordinary off-piste runs. Beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers are sure to find areas to suit their abilities.
But Chamonix’s popularity is also due to the wide range of activities it offers its visitors. Day and night, you’re sure to be entertained in the best possible way. Theme parks, hiking, rock-climbing, rafting, bars, clubs, restaurants and many other interesting things are set up to guarantee you an exceptional stay.
So don’t hesitate to head for this cosmopolitan resort, where you can try out new things with family and friends!
7. Megève
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Located in the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area – offering no less than 445 kilometers of slopes – Megève is an ideal ski resort for winter sports enthusiasts of all levels. Looking for a change of scenery and a taste of the great outdoors? Opt for a stay in this authentic mountain village!
Whether you’re with friends or family, whether you’re into freestyle or classic disciplines, you’re bound to find something to suit you at Megève. Although it can be considered a skier’s paradise – thanks in no small part to the quality of its snow, its beautiful slopes and its dedicated freestyle area – the resort offers much more than that.
Megève offers a unique and convivial experience, with a wide range of outdoor activities, cultural events and typical gastronomy.
8. Tignes
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With its 300 km of pistes, Tignes invites ski enthusiasts to take unlimited advantage of superb conditions and premium-quality snow. If you like to push your limits, you can take advantage of the 3200 hectares of off-piste terrain that the resort shares with Val d’Isère.
Worried that skiing will be your only occupation at this altitude? Don’t worry! Tignes guarantees a varied and rhythmic holiday. From sports enthusiasts to party-goers to those who just want to relax, the resort has something for everyone. You can try your hand at board sports, paddleboarding, archery or kayaking, to name but a few.
Combining authenticity and modernity, Tignes promises a refreshing break in the heart of the Alps!
9. La Plagne
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Sasha Samardzija
A ski resort in the Tarentaise valley, La Plagne is above all 6 high-altitude resorts (from 1800 to 2100 meters): Plagne Aime 2000, Plagne Centre, Plagne Bellecôte, Belle Plagne, Plagne 1800 and Plagne Village / Soleil.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of choice in La Plagne. Whether you’re looking for pure authenticity or the avant-garde, you’ll be able to choose what suits you best. This resort full of character guarantees you a vacation full of charm and conviviality.
Put on your skis and head for Paradiski, one of the world’s largest linked ski areas. Looking for fun and/or relaxation off the slopes? There are plenty of other outdoor activities on offer: paragliding, snowmobiling, zip-lining and more! If you’ve had enough of the great outdoors (how can that be?), there are concerts, shows, swimming pools, bowling alleys and even escape games just waiting for you.
10. Les Arcs
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Julia Kuznetsova
Nestled on the edge of the Alps, Les Arcs is ideally located. Also part of the Paradiski ski area, it offers no fewer than 425 km of slopes for winter sports enthusiasts. Its strength lies in the fact that it is made up of 5 sites – located at different altitudes – immersing visitors in a variety of atmospheres.
When you choose to spend your ski vacations at Les Arcs, you’re guaranteed a tailor-made experience, tailored to your desires and expectations. Whether you’re looking for peace and quiet, authenticity, thrills or family fun, you’ll be won over by the undeniable charm of the resort and its villages.
Off-piste enthusiasts will also be delighted by the wide-open spaces of Les Arcs. Numerous infrastructures have been created to guarantee a holiday where boredom is not on the agenda: snowpark, bordercross, toboggan run and many other surprises! All with a breathtaking panorama of majestic Mont-Blanc.