The best places for skiing in France

The best ski resorts to stay in, for a fabulous ski holiday of skiing, snowboarding and lively social evenings.
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France has some of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world on its territory. They are located in the Alps, whose peaks often exceed 4,000 metres above sea level.

The French Alps are a dream for all skiers and mountain lovers: fabulous peaks await you, fantastic resorts guaranteeing maximum comfort, hundreds of kilometres of slopes and snowparks, guaranteed indoor and outdoor activities in summer and winter, a gastronomic panorama of excellence and, of course, plenty of snow in the months of the cold season.

In the heart of one of Western Europe’s most impressive mountain ranges, the best ski resorts await you. Indeed, the northern Alps are not only home to France’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, but have the largest concentration of ski resorts in Europe. Its famous ski areas, such as Les 3 Vallées, Portes du Soleil and Espace Killy, offer hundreds of kilometres of slopes.

Whether you are an experienced skier, looking for new adrenaline on the most challenging slopes, or a beginner, in need of prepared schools and world-class instructors, you will find the answer to all your needs here.

The best ski resorts in the French Alps have in common only the immensity of their ski areas, which often intersect. In fact, each resort has its own architecture and atmosphere.

Val Thorens

173440 Savoie, France

Voted best ski resort in the world for the fourth consecutive year at the World Ski Awards in 2019, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe.

Located at an altitude of 2,300 metres in the sumptuous 3 Valleys ski area, the largest ski area in the world, this Savoyard resort in the Tarentaise valley offers 150 kilometres of alpine skiing, spread over 68 slopes.

It is also one of the French resorts where you can ski the longest: in fact, it is the first to open its slopes and the ski season lasts until the beginning of May.

Recommended accommodations in Val Thorens

Hôtel Marielle
8.3Very good
Résidence Le Chamois d'Or
7.5Good
Langley Hôtel Tango
7.6Good
See all the accommodations in Val Thorens

Courchevel

Courchevel is a true Saint-Tropez of the snows. Less anonymous and more opulent than its rival Megève, this ultra-luxury resort has 17 five-star hotels.

But Courchevel is above all skiing pleasure with a gigantic ski area, the largest in the world: 490 kilometres of downhill slopes and 335 runs.

The 6 villages are connected by ski lifts or shuttles, enough to find relatively reasonably priced accommodation at lower altitudes.

Recommended accommodations in Courchevel

Madame Vacances
7.4Good
Fahrenheit Seven Courchevel
7.9Good
Hôtel Courcheneige
8.0Very good
See all the accommodations in Courchevel

Val-d'Isère

Located, like Val Thorens, in the majestic Tarentaise valley, Val d’Isère is distinguished by its prestigious past. Indeed, the resort hosted the Winter Olympics in Albertville in 1992. In 2009, it was also the site of the Alpine Skiing World Championships.

Its ski area, linked to that of Tignes, offers 300 km of alpine ski slopes spread over 154 slopes in total. Unlike other areas of this size, the entire Espace Killy is naturally connected and does not require tedious transitions.

Recommended accommodations in the area

Hôtel d’Angleterre Grenoble Hyper-Centre
7.7Good
Kyriad Grenoble Centre
7.7Good
Residhotel Grenette
7.6Good
See all the accommodations in Grenoble

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Lying at the foot of the Roof of Europe, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is certainly the most legendary of French ski resorts. This winter sports queen not only has the privilege of being at the foot of one of the world’s highest peaks, Mont Blanc, but is also close to major tourist sites such as Aiguille du Midi, Tramway du Mont – Blanc, Montenvers.

It is distinguished by its access to four ski areas, each with different characteristics: Le Brévent – la Flégère, Balme, les Grands Montets and les Houches. In all, you have 150 kilometres of skiing at your disposal, on 102 different slopes.

Recommended accommodations in the area

Alpina Eclectic Hotel
8.6Fabulous
Chalet Hôtel Le Prieuré & Spa
8.8Fabulous
Hôtel Les Aiglons Chamonix
8.2Very good
See all the accommodations in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Les Deux Alpes

Located on the largest and most important skiable glacier in Europe, Les Deux Alpes offers an exceptional panorama of the Alps at an altitude of 3600 m.

It is home to a fabulous ski area, where you can experience 220 kilometres of pistes, reaching as far as the Lauze Glacier, activities for all tastes and ages, 53 ski lifts, two snow parks, cross-country trails and an 800-hectare off-piste area. Not to mention the après-ski, characterised by an intense nightlife.

Don’t miss the ascent by Jandri gondola to reach the top of the glacier and admire the spectacle of the Ecrins Massif, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc.

Recommended accommodations in Les Deux Alpes

Hotel le Sherpa
8.3Very good
Madame Vacances Hôtel Ibiza
8.0Very good
Hotel Les Flocons
8.7Fabulous
See all the accommodations in Les Deux Alpes

Megève

Considered one of the most beautiful ski resorts in France, Megève‘s fame derives from its majestic snow-covered wooden chalets: this Haute Savoie resort is a fascinating destination for both its atmosphere and winter sports. It is not for nothing that the resort is the meeting place of the world’s elite.

As for its ski area, Évasion Mont-Blanc, it stretches over 400 kilometres and has 185 slopes. In good weather, you can see Mont Blanc from its slopes.

Recommended accommodations in Megève

Les Loges Blanches
8.5Fabulous
Hôtel Rent
7.8Good
Au Coin Du Feu
9.1Superb
See all the accommodations in Megève

Tignes

With its 300 km of pistes, all interconnected, Tignes is a beautiful French ski resort linked in the Val d’Isère ski area: the underground funicular railway allows skiers to reach the glacier and reach 3455 metres. In fact, the peculiarity of Tignes is that here, you can ski for practically 10 months of the year.

For those who, in addition to skiing, also love the mountain atmosphere, Tignes guarantees a diversified stay for everyone: from sportsmen and women to party-goers and leisure enthusiasts, the resorts will please everyone.

Recommended accommodations in Tignes

Langley Hôtel Tignes 2100
8.1Very good
Hôtel Village Montana by Les Etincelles
8.6Fabulous
Vacancéole
7.0Good
See all the accommodations in Tignes

Méribel

8Méribel, 73550 Les Allues, France

Nestled in the Tarentaise Valley in the Vanoise National Park, Méribel is an enchanting ski resort characterised by traditional wooden chalets and a party atmosphere:après-ski is celebrated here and the night is always enlivened by wild, young evenings.

The slopes for deep snow lovers are combined with a lively social life: here you will find restaurants, discos, shops and leisure facilities, with top-class accommodation at well above average prices.

Recommended accommodations in Méribel

Madame Vacances Hôtel & Spa Le Mottaret
8.5Fabulous
Hotel Eterlou
8.4Very good
Hotel Mont Vallon
8.4Very good
See all the accommodations in Méribel

L'Alpe d'Huez

9L'Alpe d'Huez, 38750 Huez, France

At more than 1,800 metres above sea level, you will find the resort of Alpe d’Huez and its green plateaus. A famous ski resort, Alpe d’Huez is also known as a stage of the Tour de France.

Located about 60 kilometres south-east of Grenoble, the village boasts an exceptional welcome for families with children, and offers almost 250 kilometres of marked trails for all levels. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort is perfect for relaxing with rejuvenating spa treatments.

Recommended accommodations in L'Alpe-d'Huez

Grandes Rousses Hotel & Spa
8.4Very good
Le Pic Blanc
8.5Fabulous
Langley Hôtel Le Petit Prince
8.4Very good
See all the accommodations in L'Alpe-d'Huez

La Plagne

10La Plagne, 73210 La Plagne-Tarentaise, France

With more than 200 kilometres of marked pistes and an off-piste area, La Plagne is one of the most popular ski resorts in France, consisting of 6 high-altitude hamlets where you can stay (from 1800 to 2100 metres): Plagne Aime 2000, Plagne Centre, Plagne Bellecôte, Belle Plagne, Plagne 1800 and Plagne Village/Sole.

The main one is La Plagne Centre, built in 1961, where you will find excellent resorts and hotels, good restaurants and shops, as well as a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities.

Recommended accommodations in the area

Hôtel Restaurant La Tourmaline
7.7Good
Hôtel Carlina by Les Etincelles
8.5Fabulous
Les Glières
8.8Fabulous
See all the accommodations in Aime La Plagne

Avoriaz-Morzine

11Avoriaz, 74110 Morzine, France

Morzine, within the Portes du Soleil ski resort, is a large ski area straddling France and Switzerland. At an altitude of about 1,000 metres, Morzine has preserved its authentic traditional style, making it a very charming resort. In winter, the atmosphere is very festive thanks to a lively evening music scene.

Located a short distance from Morzine, Avoriaz offers over 650 kilometres of slopes. Since access is prohibited to cars, the entire resort can only be accessed on skis and by horse-drawn sleigh.

Recommended accommodations in Morzine

Hôtel Névé
9.4Superb
Hotel Le Concorde
7.6Good
Hotel le Petit Dru
9.0Superb
See all the accommodations in Morzine

Map

In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.

Insights

Val Thorens

Val Thorens

Nestled between the snow-capped peaks of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and one of the largest in the world.
Courchevel

Courchevel

Courchevel is one of the most famous ski resorts in Europe and offers fabulous snowy slopes with an exceptional panoramic view of Mont Blanc.
Val-d’Isère

Val-d’Isère

Together with Tignes, Val-d'Isère is a beautiful mountain resort with a huge ski area, Espace Killy, which allows skiing even in the height of summer.
Chamonix – Mont Blanc

Chamonix – Mont Blanc

Chamonix is the world capital of mountaineering and ski holidays, a favourite destination for mountain lovers in both summer and winter.
Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes

Nestled in the majestic French Alps, Les Deux Alpes is the oldest and most complete ski resort in Europe, allowing skiing even in the height of summer.
Megève

Megève

Megève is a small village at the foot of Mont Blanc: it boasts one of the largest ski areas in the Alps and is also a perfect destination for summer holidays.
Tignes

Tignes

At the foot of the glacier, Tignes is an eccentric, cosmopolitan, sporty and innovative village, offering a huge area of slopes wrapped in the snow-covered Alps.