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"Top Ten Best" French resort lists
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Skiing best resorts for skiing
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Snowboarding best resorts for snowboarding
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Snow sure most snow-sure ski resorts
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Apres ski best resorts for apres ski
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Group best group ski resorts
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Family best ski resorts for families
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Luxury best luxury ski resorts
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Pretty the world's prettiest ski resorts
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Beginner best resorts to learn to ski
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Intermediate best intermediate ski resorts
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Advanced best resorts for advanced skiers
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Off Piste best resorts for off-piste skiing
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Biggest biggest resorts & linked ski areas
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Summer best resorts for summer skiing
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Cheap best resorts for cheap skiing
List of all French ski resorts
Buckets of off piste and an incredible terrain park make this a freeriding and freestyling paradise - combine this wi...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Glacier Skiing• Awesome Après Ski• 300 days of sunshine
A charmingly quirky resort that’s a top ski destination for families and particularly popular for snowboarders, Avor...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Top family destination• Great for snowboarders• 650km interconnected pistes
One of the oldest, greatest spa towns in the Pyrenees branched out into ski tourism in the 50's and hasn’t looked ba...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Historic spa town• 3 linked ski areas• French & Spanish cuisine
Looking for a way to ski on a shoestring? Then look no further, because Brides Les Bains is a fantastic location to ...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Exceptional value• Traditional French village• Central access to 3 Valleys ski area
As the global capital of winter sports, Chamonix’s history, skiing and scenery make it a true alpine legend. Every s...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Traditional mountain resort• High altitude terrain• Incredible panoramic views
Up on the Franco-Swiss border in the Chablais region (a UNESCO Global Geopark), Châtel’s a pretty mountain village ...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Portes du Soleil area• Traditional village
Attractive, traditional and oozing style, Courchevel ticks all the boxes for a first class ski holiday. With masses o...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Luxury resort• 3 Valleys ski area• Traditional chocolate box villages & chalets• Lots of ski-in ski-out
Part of the Grand Massif ski area, Flaine was purposely built on the mountain for direct access to some of the greate...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • All round resort • 265km well-groomed pistes• Ski-in ski-out accommodation
This sunny resort in the Southern Alps was tailor made for doorstep skiing to 120km of seriously sensational snow. We...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Brilliant doorstep skiing• Close to Nice Airport• Amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea
Small, chic and beautifully picturesque, La Clusaz is a charming alpine village in the heart of the Aravis Massif. Wi...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Famille Plus label• Beautiful hidden gem resort• Events on throughout the season
A fabulous all-rounder: ski the Paradiski’s wonderful mix of tree-lined trails, knee-deep off piste and wide open cr...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Large ski area• Ski-in ski-out accommodation• High altitude skiing
A quiet French resort giving snow lovers access to not one but two countries! Hop between French La Rosière and Ital...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Off piste snow cross• Ski France & Italy• Famille Plus label resort
The charming little village is a modest, family-friendly gem of the Three Valleys. With excellent access to the world...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Village charm• Laid-back atmosphere• Part of the massive 3 Valleys
You get a lot of pistes for your pennies in La Toussuire. It’s part of France’s fourth biggest ski area and also bi...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Les Sybelles ski area • Purpose built resort• Relaxing apres ski
You can pretty much ski straight from your door and into the huge Sybelles region from Le Corbier – which with short...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Les Sybelles ski area• Purpose built resort
Spectacular views of Mont Blanc aren’t the only bonus of the glacier - this ‘upside down’ ski resort is one of the...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Glacier Skiing• Top après• Lots of activities
Near Andorra, Spain and the French cities of Toulouse and Perpignan, Les Angles sees a charming combo of cultures. Ch...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Fun school holiday events• Famille Plus resort• Animal park & husky rides
One half of the magnificent Paradiski, Les Arcs has well earned its reputation as one of the best ski destinations in...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Paradiski ski area• Ski-in ski-out• High altitude skiing
With easy access to the glorious Grand Massif, lots on for children and pretty alpine architecture to boot, Les Carro...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Linked with Flaine in the Grand Massif• Famille Plus resort • Tree-lined skiing
A beautiful village full of rustic Savoyard charm, Les Gets sits between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, with not only st...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Connected to Portes du Soleil• Famille Plus Resort• Lots to do off the slopes• Pretty village
Sometimes grouped with the Chamonix ski area, sometimes seen as a resort of its own standing… Either way, the views ...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Chamonix valley resort• World cup host• Tree-lined pistes
Couples, groups and families alike have a brilliant time here as one of the cheaper destinations in the 3 Valleys wit...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • 3 Valley ski area• Outstanding skiing opportunities• Loads for non-skiers
Les Orres is made up of two villages: one old, traditional and oozing French alpine charm and the other brand spankin...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Famille Plus resort• 40km of cross-country trails • Fantastic snow sport facilities
When it comes to the world’s ski resorts, Megeve is one of the classics, complete with a medieval village square and...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Gorgeous alpine village• Large linked ski area
Meribel has a special place in many Brit's hearts – not simply because it’s right in the middle of the biggest ski ...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • 3 Valleys ski area • Excellent ski schools • Lively après ski
Small, traditional and full of charm, this friendly town is ideal for a relaxed retreat to the slopes with family and...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Quiet family resort• Part of Italian Milky Way• Traditional Alpine charm
Morzine ski holidays ooze traditional Savoyard charm. With a variety of terrain in the huge 650km Portes du Soleil ar...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Family ski destination• Traditional Savoyard charm• 650km interconnected pistes
This cultural treasure of the 3 Valleys is a real beauty that has managed to retain its French personality amongst th...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • 3 Valleys resort• Good value• Relaxed ambience
A pretty alpine village, sharing the Tarentaise valley with Val d’Isere and Tignes but providing a quieter, smaller ...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Near Espace Killy & Paradiski• Small ski resort• Quiet pistes
This old mountain village is a real charmer – evidence of historic stonemasonry lines the streets and squares and wi...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • "Ville Fleurie" awarded village • Ski the Grand Massif• Short transfers
You get those hulking ski resort titans, and then there’s Serre Chevalier: a group of smaller villages that just hap...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Excellent snow• Large ski area• Scenery & character
Home to Beaufort cheese (which makes a cracking fondue), St Sorlin is an authentic alpine village, oozing character a...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Connected to Sybelles Ski Area• Special Beginners and Small Area ski pass• Beautiful village brimming with culture
Tignes is somewhere you can ski longer, higher and further than most other resorts in the Alps. Owing its snow-reliab...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Espace Killy ski area• Fantastic après ski• High altitude skiing
Ski never-ending pistes and powder, ogle at colossal peaks and cosy Savoie architecture, then end the day with some o...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • ½ of Espace Killy• Fantastic après• Traditional chocolate box village• Skiable glacier
This is Europe's highest resort, with incredible views of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps and fantastic connection...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Highest resort in Europe• Top of the world's biggest ski area• Lots of off-slope activities
Valloire: a humble resort that nurtures and takes care of its skiers and surroundings alike. Follow in the footsteps ...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Quiet ski resort• Traditional village charm• Snowparks for all abilities• 70% ski area above 2000m
Traditional in every sense of the word, bask in the calm and tranquillity of this mountain village in the French Alps...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Snowparks and boardercrosses for all levels• Hidden gem in the French Alps• Lots on at Christmas and Easter
An old farming village turned backdoor ski resort: the cable car from Vaujany brings you into the Grand Domaine, wher...more ‣
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Snowboarding
Highlights • Grande Domaine ski area • Backdoor ski resort
Most popular ski resorts in France
The opportunity of soaking up the alpine way of life makes proper mountain towns like Chamonix and gorgeous mountain villages like Megeve feature on many a ski bucket list. It’s the glamorous side of skiing that brings the hordes to Courchevel, world renowned for its elite clientele, designer boutiques and top notch accommodation. If convenience is the key, you can’t beat the hassle-free nature that attracts snow lovers by the dozen to purpose built resorts like Val Thorens– they’re higher in the mountains and access to the slopes is a no brainer.
With the mountains being so easy to get to and resorts that pull out all stops to keep children entertained, it’s no surprise France is so popular with families. Look out for the French Ministry of Tourism’s “Famille Plus Montagne” label, awarded to the best family resorts - Morzine and Les Gets are two firm favourites. Groups planning to party are rarely disappointed with the après ski offerings in the bigger towns– you can’t talk about the après in France without mentioning the legendary Folie Douce – originally in Val d’Isere and now also in Val Thorens and Meribel.
At the end of the day it’s the skiing you’re here for, which is why anywhere with a massive ski area is an easy favourite. You won’t have to ski the same slope twice in the 3 Valleys, the world’s biggest linked ski area, where you’ll find big names like Meribel and Courchevel. Sizeable ski areas don’t stop here – Tignes and Val d’Isere share the Espace Killy, Paradiski can be skied from La Plagne and Les Arcs and Portes du Soleil connects Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz. The presence of a skiable glacier seals the deal when it comes to the best resorts, which puts snow sure Val Thorens, Val d’Isere, Tignes and Les 2 Alpes high up on the leaderboard.
All resorts in France
Alpe d'Huez |
Argentiere |
Auris en Oisans |
Avoriaz |
Ax les Thermes |
Bareges |
Brides les Bains |
Cauterets |
Chamonix |
Chamrousse |
Chatel |
Courchevel |
Flaine |
Font Romeu |
Isola 2000 |
La Clusaz |
La Joue du Loup |
La Plagne |
La Rosiere |
La Tania |
La Toussuire |
Le Corbier |
Le Grand Bornand |
Les 2 Alpes |
Les Angles |
Les Arcs |
Les Carroz |
Les Contamines - Montjoie |
Les Gets |
Les Houches |
Les Menuires |
Les Orres |
Les Saisies Hauteluce |
Les Sybelles |
Megeve |
Meribel |
Montchavin Les Coches |
Montgenevre |
Morzine |
Orcieres 1850 |
Pra Loup |
Pralognan-La-Vanoise |
Saint Gervais |
Saint Lary Soulan |
Saint Martin De Belleville |
Sainte Foy |
Samoens |
Serre Chevalier |
St Francois de Longchamp |
St Jean d'Arves |
St Sorlin d'Arves |
Superdevoluy |
Tignes |
Val Cenis |
Val d'Allos - La Foux |
Val d'Isere |
Val Thorens |
Valfrejus |
Valloire |
Valmeinier |
Valmorel |
Vars |
Vaujany |
France ski resorts FAQ:
Winter sports enthusiasts have flocked to Chamonix for more than a century, and it's not hard to see why with its world-class ski terrain, the spectacular setting of Mont Blanc and it's beautiful Savoyard charm. There’s truly something for everyone in France - from the most relaxed cruiser to dedicated powder hounds and everyone in between.
There are over 250 ski resorts in France.
French skiing is predominantly in the Alps with a smattering of resorts in the Pyrenees. Boasting world-renowned ski areas and resorts such as:
- Paradiski (La Plagne & Les Arcs)
- Espace Killy (Val D’Isere and Tignes)
- 3 Valleys/Trois Vallees (Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens)
- The Portes Du Soleil(Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets & others)
We recommend higher resorts (1800m- 2000m + in height) or resorts with glacier skiing for early season. If you are looking to get away over Christmas or New Year, most resorts run events over the festive period. Look out for Christmas markets, winter forests, Santa visits, firework displays and New Years parties.
January’s a wonderful time to hit the French slopes. It’s just after the holiday rush, before the February half terms and with great snow conditions. Meribel is a fantastic option for skiing in January with access across the 3 Valleys ski area, varied terrain and a fun apres scene. Be wary of the temperature though in January - resorts like Val Thorens average high temperature in January is only -4 °C.
Skiing is busier in February with the UK Half Term and French school holidays. While smaller resorts may see less footfall, modernised resorts with high capacity lift systems will get the queues moving swiftly too. Some chairlifts like Les Colosses in La Plagne move over 4000 people an hour! Val d’Isère has a great feel, even over Half Term, and Flaine is a smaller resort but an easy journey from the airport.
March skiing is fantastic in France. Arguably the best time to ski with snow falling regularly and the burgeoning sun in the afternoon. Our favourite ski resorts for March are:
- Val d’Isere and Tignes let you take advantage of the sun coupling great high-altitude snow conditions with lots of north-facing slopes.
- La Plagne and Les Arcs are a great option too, even though some villages get more sun than others. Our pick would be Arc 1950 or 2000.
- You can’t go wrong with the 3 Valleys either- especially Val Thorens where the village is at 2300m.
Skiing in April has been great over the last few seasons with fresh powder falling well into the month. Picking a high or glacial resort will be the safest bet at the end of the season. Opt for snow-sure resorts like Tignes, Val D’Isere, Val Thorens, Alpe D’Huez and Les Deux Alpes. Yes, the pistes can get a little slushy in the afternoon, but that’s just a great excuse to enjoy sunny apres!
Resorts with lots of gentle green and cruisy blue runs are the best fit, and you won’t need hundreds of kilometres of runs if it’s your first time. La Plagne tops of most people’s lists with its accessible terrain and dedicated learner areas. Still, Les Deux Alpes is a great ‘upside-down’ resort where even beginners can ski from the very top of the glacier! France also boasts an abundance of great ski schools such as ESF, New Generation and Oxygene.
Val d’Isère is known for its vibrant après-ski. Head to La Folie Douce for a full-energy, dancing-on-tables vibe, Cocorico for terrace views and smashing DJ sets or Dick’s Tea Bar if you’re in search of some live music. Read lots more on our après-ski in France page.
France has many snow-sure resorts. High-altutide resorts with the best snow conditions are:
With no shortage of champagne bars, more Michelin star restaurants than any other ski resort on earth, fashion boutiques and five-star hotels, Courchevel is the most luxury ski resort in France.
There are a fantastic choice of family-friendly ski resorts in France offering brilliant ski schools, beginner ski areas and accommodations with childcare options. Here are our favourites:
France's huge ski areas are ideal for snowboarders. The best resorts in France for snowboarders are:
The best of France’s off-piste ski areas can be found in:
Courchevel is a truly stylish treat for you and your other half – with luxury hotels and chalets, gourmet restaurants, champagne bars, boutiques and jewellery shops. The skiing is fabulous too, with access to the whole 3 valleys area.
Megeve is a delightful medieval mountain town with scenic views of the Mont Blanc massif. See our prettiest resorts in France page to read about our other favourite good-looking French resorts.
- Chamonix - 1924 (I Winter Olympics)
- Grenoble - 1968 (X Winter Olympics)
- Val d’Isère - 1992 (XVI Winter Olympics)
- Meribel - 1992 (XVI Winter Olympics)
- La Plagne - 1992 (XVI Winter Olympics)
If you’re an avid Winter Olympics fan, read all about them on our best Olympic ski resorts page.
Yes – though it’s not the law, you rarely see people skiing or snowboarding without helmets these days, and most ski schools will only teach kids if they have a helmet. It’s important that it’s a proper ski helmet and not a cycling or horse riding one, as they’re designed differently. Our Mountain Safety page gives more advice about staying safe on the pistes.
Green, blue, red and black – from easiest to the most difficult. See our pistes information page for more detail.
Which are the best France ski holidays?
| Property | Resort | Price (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Chalet L'Ancolie | Meribel & Mottaret | £ 799 |
| CGH White Pearl Lodge & Spa (Plagne Soleil) | La Plagne | £ 589 |
| Hotel Daria-I Nor | Alpe d'Huez | £ 1576 |
| Chalet Chamois Volant | Les Deux Alpes | £ 825 |
| Chalet Hotel Le Savoie | Val d'Isere | £ 1189 |
| Hotel & Spa Le Savoie | Val d'Isere | £ 1189 |
| Chalet Laetitia | Meribel & Mottaret | £ 955 |
| Alpen Lodge Hotel & Spa | La Rosiere | £ 1049 |
| Chalet Silene | La Plagne | £ 945 |
| Chalet Cairn | Tignes | £ 1039 |
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