10 Best Ski Resorts in France, 2023/24
Known for high, purpose-built resorts with reliable snow and mammoth ski areas, there’s actually a lot more to France than you'd expect. We've picked out the 10 best skiing spots in the 185 miles swathe of peaks making up the French Alps; the Pyrenees also have a handful of decent resorts.
Table Of Contents
1. Courchevel
Known for
Part of the largest lift-linked ski area in the world. Consisting of 3 Vallées, and another four unique luxury villages
Highlights
Access to sheer number of runs in 3 Vallées provides endless skiing
Efficient lift system even during holiday periods
Tobagganing and heli ski available
Courchevel 1850 is quite expensive
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 03 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 23 2023
Closest airports
Chambéry Airport - 70 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Geneva Airport - 88 miles (2.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Courchevel
If you’re up for some exploring, there’s no better place to experience it all than at Courchevel. Courchevel consists of four villages and offers the most balanced selection of greens, blues, reds, and blacks in the 3 Valles ski area. If you’re willing to splurge, the village of Courchevel 1850 makes good sense. It is the largest of the four villages, complete with luxury accommodation, impressive fine dining and a wealth of other activities. Being part of the largest lift-linked ski area is another major drawcard here and there is certainly more than enough for weeks of fun.
2. Val d'Isère
Known for
World class slopes for intermediates and experts, almost universally at high altitude
Highlights
Lively town centre and great nightlife
Deserved reputation for reliable snow all season long
Fast lift system and modern facilities
Poor weather conditions means lifts are shut more frequently than other resorts
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 03 2022
- Closing Date: May 06 2023
Closest airports
Chambéry Airport - 90 miles (2 hour drive)
Geneva Airport - 110 miles (3 hour drive)
Why Ski Val-d'Isere
With high altitude slopes and almost guaranteed snow, it’s no wonder why Val-d'Isere in the Espace Killy ski area is so popular. The resort has some great terrain for confident intermediates although some trails are more difficult than their colour grading suggests. Overall, we prefer Val-d'Isere for its thriving valley town with a friendly, bustling vibe, at least by French standards, and huge numbers of chalets, hotels, and apartments. In our opinion, this is more of an atmospheric place to stay than neighbouring Tignes, and you have the advantage of a few local tree runs.
Known for
Famous mountain town with a lively apres scene and legendary off-piste
Highlights
Amidst the most dramatic scenery in the French Alps
Easy and inexpensive transfers from Geneva airport
Spectacular, jagged mountain terrain with genuinely testing black runs
Several ski areas, linked by bus and not by lifts, and very few easy runs
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 17 2022
- Closing Date: May 01 2023
Closest airports
Geneva Airport - 63 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Chamonix is a classic ski town, home to expert skiers. It's dark location in a gorge is a superb spot for deeps and steeps however it lacks relaxing intermediate runs, and even fewer beginner slopes. If you’re seeking long greens or gentle cruises, you might want to consider elsewhere, such as Zermatt. Furthermore, Chamonix is spread across several separate ski areas, linked only by buses and not by lifts so you’ll need to hop on a bus (or bring a car) to reach the other areas on the lift pass. Argentire, Le Tour and several other hamlets are quieter alternatives, but aren’t really any more convenient for getting around the different ski areas.
4. Les Arcs
Known for
High altitiude village and interconnected with La Plagne to form an enormous ski area
Highlights
Tobogganing and waterslide available
Quicker lift system than La Plagne
Excellent blacks and off-piste routes for intermediates and advanced
May experience high season queues and crowded pistes and few green trails
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 10 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 22 2023
Closest airports
Chambéry Airport - 85 miles (2 hour drive)
Geneva Airport - 105 miles (2.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Les Arcs
Of the two ski resorts which make up France’s third biggest domain, Paradiski, Les Arcs has a distinct advantage over La Plagne. It has a better designed and quicker lift system which allows you to spend more time on the slopes. While there are blues and reds to be found across the Paradiski ski area, steep runs and off-piste routes are quite the drawcard at Les Arcs. Meanwhile, there are hardly any green runs, so near-beginners might do better in La Plagne. Generally speaking, the lowest villages are prettier and quieter places to stay, while the higher outposts have some brutal architecture but quicker access to the slopes.
5. Avoriaz
Known for
Being one of France's snowiest resorts, great for families and friends
Highlights
Plenty of runs for beginners and intermediates
Wide range of ski-in/ ski-out accomodation
Endless winter activities from sledging, diving to overnight in an igloo
Low altitude resort base means it may rain instead of snow at times
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 09 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 23 2023
Closest airports
Geneva Airport - 60 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Avoriaz
Sitting on the French side, Avoriaz offers easy access to Portes du Soleil, one of the world's largest ski areas and provides relaxed, cross-border cruising. The local slopes are linked directly into the main skiing circuit and often have the best conditions in the area. Avoriaz has one of the best snow records in the Alps, but also relatively low altitude elsewhere in the ski area which increases the risk of rain low down. Avoriaz offers varied, scenic skiing of all difficulty levels and its convenient location means access to several towns and villages such as Chatel and Morzine within Portes du Soleil.
6. Alpe d'Huez
Known for
Epic views, long black runs and superb beginner terrain – an unusual combination
Highlights
Archery, tobogganing, night skiing or a spa treatment, the off-slope options are endless
An extensive web of gentle runs for beginners
Testing blacks and reds, particularly if you don’t mind mogul fields
Sunny weather means the runs can get slushy
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 03 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 16 2023
Closest airports
Grenoble-Isère Airport - 66 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Geneva Airport - 133 miles (3 hour drive)
Why Ski Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez serves up some of the best slopes around. While the beginner terrain is superb here, the off-piste routes, black runs, and the occasional tough reds rule the roost. Alpe d’Huez is a sizable, purpose-built resort in the middle of the ski area, with a rocket-shaped church and quite a few activities for non-skiers. From indoor archery, winter paragliding, dog-sledding, ski joering, or just relaxing with a spa treatment, the off-slope options are endless. The town has several suburbs but try to stay in one of the higher ones for easiest slope access.
Known for
Traditional village with underrated cruising above and within larch forests
Highlights
Inexpensive hotel and chalets
Long top-to-bottom runs and amazing tree skiing
Less internationally known – great option for something different
Fairly long transfers from major airports and limited nightlife
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 10 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 16 2023
Closest airports
Grenoble-Isère Airport - 98 miles (2.5 hour drive)
Geneva Airport - 163 miles (3.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier is the ultimate getaway from the purpose-built mega resorts of the Northern Alps without compromising on piste mileage. Serre Chevalier is actually four resorts connected by bus, strung along a busy valley road and marketed under a single label. Chantemerle and Villeneuve are centrally located, Briançon is a World Heritage Site, while Le Monetier is quiet and isolated. With tons to explore, Serre Chevalier’s ski area is filled with high, snowy bowls. Serre Chevalier is perfect for intermediate skiers especially those who are happy with red runs because there’s a wide range of great trails to enjoy here.
8. Les Carroz
Known for
Authentic mountain village atmosphere with varied slopes in a snow pocket close to Geneva
Highlights
Extremely family-friendly
Great for beginners to learn and plenty of intermediate runs
Quick transfer from Geneva airport (45 minute drive)
Traditional resort vibe means there isn't alot of apres ski
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 17 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 16 2023
Closest airports
Geneva Airport - 46 miles (1 hour drive)
Why Ski Les Carroz
Best on the list for extensive slopes without forking out for a more expensive lift pass; Les Carroz is one of the top spots to explore in the Grand Massif ski area. Les Carroz is a sizeable town – though be careful to stay near one of the magic carpet lifts up to the main gondola, or prepare to use buses. While Flaine is most well known here in the Grand Massif ski area, Les Carroz offers easy access to the other ski resorts. Most of Les Carroz’s slopes are wooded and of intermediate gradient, but there are also a few runs dedicated to beginners.
9. Megève
Known for
French historic town with panoramic views of Mont Blanc
Highlights
Charming town with high end shopping, dining and lodging
Easy access to/from the Geneva airport (1.5 hour drive)
Quiet slopes, great for beginners and intermediates
Black runs here are not as challenging as elsewhere
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 17 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 12 2023
Closest airports
Geneva Airport - 57 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Megève
Megève is a genuine, old French town in a broad valley, with a fashionable clientele and the associated high prices for food, drink, and some accommodation. Staying here means you’re centrally placed for all three ski areas; if budget’s an issue, self cater to keep costs down. The slopes are spread across three separate sectors which each have an excellent mix of green, blue, red and black runs, though it’s safe to say that most of the blacks are pretty tame here. In particular, the sheer number of woodland runs at Megeve are perfect for exploring during snowstorms.
10. Les 2 Alpes
Known for
Purpose-built French resort with buzzing apres and being budget-friendly
Highlights
French skiing without breaking the budget
Bustling resort with lively apres ski
High altitude of the slopes calls for reliable snow
Surprisingly small ski area for a well-known resort
22/23 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 03 2022
- Closing Date: Apr 23 2023
Closest airports
Grenoble-Isère Airport - 68 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Geneva Airport - 134 miles (3 hour drive)
Why Ski Les 2 Alpes
If you’re after snowsure skiing without breaking the budget then Les Deux Alpes is for you. A lively resort by French standards, the purpose-built town spreads along the top of a steep-sided pass. Thanks to a convenient row of access lifts at 2 Alpes, you’re unlikely to be staying too far from the nearest one and with no other resorts sharing the ski area, there are no rival bases. Intermediates will love the long runs off the Glaciers chair and the glacier has genuinely easy blues for those less confident. Regardless, you’re bound to find a run that will tickle your fancy.