The Best French Ski Resorts
Despite its wildly expensive lift tickets, menus and cocktail prices, France remains the world’s most popular ski destination for one very good reason: terrain. No other country on the planet can match the quantity or variety of skiable terrain in France, so skiers from around the world save up to experience the magic and majesty of the French Alps.
More than a dozen top-flight ski resorts run like a string of pearls, north to south, along the French Alps. They range from the uber-trendy Courcheval to the extreme pistes of Val d’Isere, and everything in between. The most important factor to consider when planning a ski holiday in France is the kind of ski experience you want to have.
The best French ski resorts are not always the most famous. If you want to party hard, hit Meribel. If you’ve got the family along, perhaps Les Gets is the right choice. The terrain is another factor. If you’re a beginner skier, don’t waste your time flailing down the slopes of Val d’Isere. Every resort in France has its strengths and weaknesses, so we’ll lay out the best for you here.
The best ski resorts in France:
Three Valleys: in terms of size, skiable terrain and all-around entertainment, nothing really compares to the Three Valleys. One of the world’s largest ski resort areas, it encompasses Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens, with 200 lifts and gondolas, 600kms of piste and enough distinct hamlets to ensure anyone can find just the alpine environment they’re craving.
L’Espace Killy: a challenge for even the most hardcore skiers, the resorts of Val d’Isere and Tignes join together to offer more than 300kms of slopes, 90 lifts and 150 individual pistes. Although there is terrain for everyone here, the bulk of it is rather extreme.
Les Portes du Soleil: with 14 different resorts linked together by a mind-boggling network of lifts, gondolas and trails, Les Portes is a truly epic multi-day skiing destination. More than 650kms of downhill trail is on hand, straddling both France and Switzerland for more options that you can possibly take advantage of. Its location ― just 90 minutes from Geneva ― makes it perfect for quick and easy access, daytrips and short getaways.
Paradiski: France’s newest resort creation merges the slopes of Les Arcs and La Plagne, offering snowboarders and skiers alike more than 238 slopes, 425kms of piste and four snowparks to enjoy. With an altitude topping out at 3,250m, the snowpack here is very reliable and extends well into the spring.
Tignes: few ski areas on earth boast better snow conditions than Tignes. It’s possible to ski here 10 months out of the year, and with 90 lifts and 300kms of piste, there is a lot of terrain to work out. From the Grande Motte glacier, you can ski 1,400m down to Val Claret’s funicular station through to the end of November most years, and the grooming conditions of the piste are among Europe’s finest.
Meribel: if you plan to do just as much partying as skiing then Meribel is the place to go. The hub of the Three Valleys ski universe has some of Europe’s hottest après-ski options (ever heard of Ronny’s?), a shockingly vast array of nightclubs and live music, and more than enough people on hand to meet your new best friend.
Chamonix: there’s nothing overhyped about Chamonix. It really is that cool. From its charming traditional (and authentic) alpine village core to heart-stopping runs down the face of Mont Blanc, this place is the full package. But it’s small and therefore best suited for weekend trips instead of week-long odysseys into the backcountry of the French Alps.
Article by Alpine Action Meribel Chalets
More than a dozen top-flight ski resorts run like a string of pearls, north to south, along the French Alps. They range from the uber-trendy Courcheval to the extreme pistes of Val d’Isere, and everything in between. The most important factor to consider when planning a ski holiday in France is the kind of ski experience you want to have.
The best French ski resorts are not always the most famous. If you want to party hard, hit Meribel. If you’ve got the family along, perhaps Les Gets is the right choice. The terrain is another factor. If you’re a beginner skier, don’t waste your time flailing down the slopes of Val d’Isere. Every resort in France has its strengths and weaknesses, so we’ll lay out the best for you here.
The best ski resorts in France:
Three Valleys: in terms of size, skiable terrain and all-around entertainment, nothing really compares to the Three Valleys. One of the world’s largest ski resort areas, it encompasses Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens, with 200 lifts and gondolas, 600kms of piste and enough distinct hamlets to ensure anyone can find just the alpine environment they’re craving.
L’Espace Killy: a challenge for even the most hardcore skiers, the resorts of Val d’Isere and Tignes join together to offer more than 300kms of slopes, 90 lifts and 150 individual pistes. Although there is terrain for everyone here, the bulk of it is rather extreme.
Les Portes du Soleil: with 14 different resorts linked together by a mind-boggling network of lifts, gondolas and trails, Les Portes is a truly epic multi-day skiing destination. More than 650kms of downhill trail is on hand, straddling both France and Switzerland for more options that you can possibly take advantage of. Its location ― just 90 minutes from Geneva ― makes it perfect for quick and easy access, daytrips and short getaways.
Paradiski: France’s newest resort creation merges the slopes of Les Arcs and La Plagne, offering snowboarders and skiers alike more than 238 slopes, 425kms of piste and four snowparks to enjoy. With an altitude topping out at 3,250m, the snowpack here is very reliable and extends well into the spring.
Tignes: few ski areas on earth boast better snow conditions than Tignes. It’s possible to ski here 10 months out of the year, and with 90 lifts and 300kms of piste, there is a lot of terrain to work out. From the Grande Motte glacier, you can ski 1,400m down to Val Claret’s funicular station through to the end of November most years, and the grooming conditions of the piste are among Europe’s finest.
Meribel: if you plan to do just as much partying as skiing then Meribel is the place to go. The hub of the Three Valleys ski universe has some of Europe’s hottest après-ski options (ever heard of Ronny’s?), a shockingly vast array of nightclubs and live music, and more than enough people on hand to meet your new best friend.
Chamonix: there’s nothing overhyped about Chamonix. It really is that cool. From its charming traditional (and authentic) alpine village core to heart-stopping runs down the face of Mont Blanc, this place is the full package. But it’s small and therefore best suited for weekend trips instead of week-long odysseys into the backcountry of the French Alps.
Article by Alpine Action Meribel Chalets
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The Best French Ski Resorts
Despite its wildly expensive lift tickets, menus and cocktail prices, France remains the world’s most popular ski destination for one very good reason: terrain.
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