Your guide to the most popular skiing destinations in France
Europe’s greatest mountain range, the Alps, reach their peak on the French-Italian border, so it’s no wonder that France is one of the top destinations to go skiing. The mountain range offers varied skiing experiences and shapes the picturesque villages. The local culture attracts holiday-makers who want a truly French skiing experience with chalets and traditional architecture in the surrounding villages. Plus, there are many places to keep the nights going, whether that’s a club you’re looking for or restaurants with tasty food and impeccable service. So where are the best places to go?
Val d’Isère and nearby Tignes offers great skiing conditions for both beginners and advanced. It’s a high mountain area, reaching up to 3,000m in altitude, so skiing is generally available year-round. It has a lively atmosphere with a great night life. The Val d’Isère guide goes into this area in more detail, including where to eat and drink, and where to find the best view!
A resort for day-trippers from Grenoble as well as staying guests, L’Alpe d’Huez is one of the largest ski resorts in France. It therefore has a wide range of facilities and attracts a variety of guests, from beginners to experts.
The northern most area of the Alps belongs to Les Portes du Soleil. Here you’ll find many resorts, including Morzine, which is best for beginners. It has children-only ski-runs and is incredibly family-friendly.
Another great resort for children and families is Chamonix. It lies at the foot of Mont Blanc, which visitors can also choose to climb, and has lots of areas for beginners to ski. The area is expensive but worth it – as the ‘original’ French ski resort, you can shape your holiday to be picture-perfect.
You’ll also pay a price to stay in Les Trois Vallées, with Courchevel being reputed as the most upmarket ski resort in the French Alps. However with this, you get top hotels and Michelin starred restaurants along with the world’s largest ski area that’s accessible with a single pass.
Finally, Isola in the south has a great combination of lots of sun and lots of snow. It’s very cold, plus its location and climate means the resort provides perfect skiing conditions. This resort is popular with locals as well as holiday-makers, which is a good indication of its quality.
France is a fantastic destination for ski holidays for everyone: from the beginner children who want to practise their new skill in the safety of a dedicated slope; to the expert, party-going adult who can benefit from the high altitudes and off-piste opportunities as well as fun night time venues. There are almost too many options to choose one. Many factors can determine your choice, such as budget, surrounding areas and facilities on offer. So use the above as a guide and choose where your next adventure will be.
Best French Ski Resorts for Beginners
France ski trips promise travellers many things – adventure, excitement, luxury and relaxation but one thing that should never be associated with a skiing holiday is intimidation.
If you’ve never taken the plunge before, skiing and snowboarding trips can initially seem overwhelming. From booking equipment to finding the right ski runs, there are a lot of factors for first-timers to keep in mind.
That’s why it’s so important for beginners to find resorts that cater to them and offer the right facilities, equipment and services. With this in mind, here is a look at five of the best France ski trips for beginners.
Tignes
Tignes Val Claret is renowned across the world for being a modern, friendly and easy-going resort. With over 185 miles of runs to explore, there’s also a huge variety when it comes to finding the right ski slope for you. If the beginners in your group are children then you can rest easy knowing they are in good hands.
Mini Club Med offers a safe and fun environment for kids to try their first turn on skis, and there are also ‘children-only’ slopes available for them to find their ski-legs. With the range of children’s clubs and activities on offer, there are also plenty of opportunities for parents and older siblings to explore the more challenging runs whilst the young ones are in good hands.
Meribel
Meribel Antares is another excellent location for first time skiers. The resort offers outstanding ski and snowboarding lessons, so beginners can rest easy knowing they are developing the ideal technique and skills when they hit the slopes. These lessons are available in a one-on-one format and are also available for groups of all standards.
Aime La Plagne
Situated in the stunning French Alps, with views over the iconic Mount Blanc, there’s much to love about a trip to Le Plagne before you even hit the slopes. There are over 140 miles of ski runs suitable for any level of skill, and excellent classes such as the Mini Club Med where kids can earn their skiing “stars�?. If you’re finding it exhausting out on the mountain each day, make the most of the other facilities on offer, like the range of bars, restaurants, heated pools and spa treatments.
Chamonix
A ski holiday at Chamonix harks back to a golden age of luxury winter sports and relaxation. The ski facilities are first class, but so are the off-piste activities on offer, like treatments at the Club Med Spa and pool. If skiing turns out to not really be your thing, you can also take in the excitement of the snowy summits on foot or with snow shoes.
Avoriaz
Situated near the Swiss border, the ski resort at Avoriaz is renowned for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, with lessons available for all levels. When you return from the slopes there is also the delicious Savoyard restaurant to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the local cuisine.