France is not without reason considered the main center of world tourism. The flow of travelers heading to this most beautiful country does not dry out either in summer or winter. Even after the onset of cold weather, France has something to interest foreign tourists. And if in summer the main flow of travelers headed to the Cote d’Azur and Paris , then in winter the Alpine region becomes the main center of attraction for vacationers.
This vast mountain system, stretching for thousands of kilometers, is today considered the world center for winter sports. There are many ski resorts in the French part of the Alps. They vary in size and features of the surrounding landscape, but are always ready to provide tourists with a high level of technical equipment of the trails and world-class service. Below we look at the top 10 most popular ski resorts in France among fans of winter holidays.
Meribel
Meribel is a resort village founded in 1938 by retired Scottish soldier Lindsay in the middle of the Alpine mountains at an altitude of 1.7 km. Over the past 80 years, this ski resort has grown from a small family business into a major international winter recreation center. It equally attracts experienced athletes and novice amateurs, fans of outdoor activities, and sophisticated aesthetes. Some are attracted to Maribel by the wonderfully equipped downhill slopes, others by the opportunity to improve their health and restore tired strength, and still others are attracted by the amazingly beautiful surrounding landscapes.
Today, the vast resort area of Mirabell is divided into several separate zones – Center, Montarette, Les Hallues, etc. All of them differ in the level of difficulty and number of slopes, but are connected by a single ski pass, so vacationers can choose the most suitable ski area for themselves . Thanks to this, Meribel is an excellent holiday destination for both extreme sports enthusiasts and families with children – children under 5 years old use the ski lifts for free.
The total area intended for skiing is 150 hectares, the length of the longest slope is close to 5 km. There are two tracks here that have Olympic certification and are suitable for holding international competitions. All slopes are equipped with mechanical lifts with a capacity of up to 64 thousand people/hour.
Fans of snowboarding and freestyle will appreciate the Moon Park and DC Area 43 snow parks operating here. The first of them is adapted for athletes of different levels of training, and the second is more suitable for experienced professionals who want to experience the thrill of performing aerobatics.
In addition to the ski slopes, Meribel has a large indoor sports complex with a swimming pool, ice skating rink, fitness rooms, and cross-country skiing.
The village has numerous cafes, restaurants, bars and shops, as well as night discos and a cinema.
You can stay in Meribel in private apartments or individual chalets.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 1502 meters
- Resort altitude – 1450 – 2952 meters
- Length of running tracks – 23 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 150 km
- Number of tracks – 67
- “Green” – 9 pcs.
- “Blue” — 27 pcs.
- “Red” – 24 pcs.
- “Black” – 7 pcs.
- Lifts – 42 (15 gondola, 17 chairlifts, 10 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 65€ / 50€
- Season duration : from November to April
Courchevel
Courchevel is perhaps the most famous and popular ski resort in France. It is located in the central part of the picturesque Tarentaise Valley in the French department of Savoie. It is part of the united tourism conglomerate “Three Valleys”, which includes dozens of recreation centers.
Courchevel received its first visitors in 1946 and soon gained fame as an elite winter holiday destination thanks to the high level of service, the presence of fashionable hotels and expensive restaurants. The technical support for the descents is also at the proper level. The quality of the local slopes is evidenced by the fact that a number of competitions of the Albertville Winter Olympics-92 were held on the slopes of Courchevel.
The resort consists of four separate ski areas, located at different altitudes and varying in difficulty of the slopes. The most popular station, which has gained fame as an elite one, is located at 1850 meters. The three other stations are located lower – at altitudes from 1300 to 1650 meters, and are distinguished by more modest equipment and a budget cost of skiing.
The slopes of Courchevel are distinguished by wide pistes, giving maximum freedom to skiers. The total area of marked slopes here is 150 hectares, and comfortable skiing in any weather is ensured by 520 snow generators. There are several ski schools here, staffed by a staff of 900 experienced trainers.
In addition to ski routes, there is a half-pipe; vacationers can run along the flat ski track laid at the foot of the mountains or take an exciting snowmobile safari. Here you can also visit the large Forum sports complex with an indoor ice skating rink, bowling center, go-kart area, fitness rooms and saunas.
Active life in Courchevel does not stop even after dusk; it is not without reason that it is famous for its après-ski holiday. There are dozens of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and lively discos, cinemas, even open casinos and art galleries for tourists.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 1638 meters
- Resort altitude – 1100 – 2738 meters
- Length of running tracks – 66 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 150 km
- Number of tracks – 119
- “Green” – 27 units, 33 km
- “Blue” — 44 units, 55.5 km
- “Reds” – 38 units, 48 km
- “Black” – 10 pcs., 13.5 km
- Lifts – 36 (10 gondola, 16 chairlifts, 10 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 56€ / 44€
- Season duration : from November to April
Les Menuires
Les Menuires is one of the resorts in the famous Three Valleys ski area. The village is located at an altitude of 1.8 km, in the middle of picturesque Alpine peaks.
The resort center opened here in 1964, and quickly became widely known due to its excellent skiing conditions. Confirmation of the high level of technical equipment of local tracks was the holding of a number of sports competitions here as part of the 1992 Winter Olympics. In particular, giant slalom competitions were held on the slopes of Les Menuires.
There are trails for a wide range of holidaymakers: gentle slopes for beginners and steep routes for experienced athletes. For extreme freeriders, there are 12 off-piste areas on the slopes of the surrounding mountains. For beginners there is a separate safe slope with an area of over 5 thousand square meters. m. Comfortable skiing in winters with little snow and during the spring thaw is provided by 410 snow cannons. An extensive BK-Park snow park with tracks for boarder cross, rails, jumps and other equipment for performing tricks is open here for snowboarders.
Les Menuires is also an excellent place for a family holiday with children. There is a kindergarten with animators for the youngest travelers, as well as a school where children can learn the basics of skiing.
The city has a large sports complex with an indoor swimming pool, an ice skating rink and a fitness room. There are Finnish saunas, Turkish hammams, and spa salons where vacationers can relax after sports. There are also recreation options for active young people: Les Minyur has 24-hour bars, nightclubs, and fashionable restaurants.
Specifications:
- Elevation difference – 1800 meters
- Resort altitude – 1400 – 3200 meters
- Length of running tracks – 28 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 160 km
- Number of tracks – 86
- “ Green” – 22 km, 12 pcs.
- “Blue” — 82 km, 44 units.
- “Reds” – 41 km, 22 units.
- “Black” – 15 km, 8 pcs.
- Lifts – 40 (7 gondola, 20 chairlifts, 13 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 52€ / 46€
- Season duration : from November to April
La Tanya
La Tanya is a winter recreation center located near the famous Courchevel in the Three Valleys region. La Tanya welcomed its first holidaymakers in 1990, and since then it has continued to actively develop.
In terms of comfort, quality and technical support of the slopes, this resort is in no way inferior to its more famous neighbors – for example, Courchevel or Meribel. However, this place is more suitable for a relaxing and inexpensive holiday, unlike many of the fashionable and glamorous resorts of the Three Valleys, famous for their nightlife. The surrounding slopes in La Tania are mostly covered with coniferous forests, and the trails are laid out among picturesque pine and spruce groves.
La Tania has a large number of hotels, hostels and private apartments that can provide housing for up to 4 thousand vacationers at a time. The resort operates 4 sports equipment rental points, children’s and adult ski schools, as well as a kindergarten for the youngest tourists.
In the middle of the pine forest, along the valley, there are cross-country ski trails, and there are several snow parks for freestyle and snowboarding: Snake Park, Fan Park and Wood Park. There is also a separate Family Park for safe skiing on gentle slopes with your child.
Specifications:
- Elevation difference – 1800 meters
- Resort altitude – 1400 – 3200 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 150 km
- Number of tracks – 129
- “Green” – 27 units, 33 km
- “Blue” — 44 units, 55.5 km
- “Reds” – 38 units, 48 km
- “Black” – 10 pcs., 13.5 km
- Lifts – 36 (10 gondola, 16 chairlifts, 10 rope tows)
- Day ski pass in high and low season – 45/40€
- Season duration : from November to April
Val Thorens
The small town of Val Thorens is located at an altitude of 2.2 km in the middle of majestic Alpine peaks covered with extensive glaciers. The local ski center received its first visitors in 1971, opening on Christmas Eve. In subsequent years, the resort grew rapidly and gained popularity: new ski lifts, hotels, restaurants appeared here, and trails of various difficulty levels were laid.
Today Val Thorens is considered one of the best resort centers in the Three Valleys region. Every year it is visited by up to 300 thousand tourists, while all vacationers note the high technical level of preparation of the slopes and excellent service. The territory intended for downhill skiing here exceeds 140 hectares. Of these, more than 20 hectares are covered by snowmaking systems, and there are also routes with artificial lighting for evening skiing. The longest descent in Val Thorens is 2,250 meters long.
In addition to the ski slopes, there is a 6-kilometer toboggan run, the longest in all of France, with a height difference of 700 meters. Most of the town is a pedestrian zone, which helps to preserve the authentic ancient appearance of Val Tornas.
There are eleven hotel complexes here, two of which are awarded 5 stars. It won’t be difficult to satisfy your hunger: in total, the town has over fifty food outlets – from fast food eateries to fashionable restaurants with Michelin stars. There are sports centers in the town with bowling alleys, fitness rooms, saunas, and an ice skating rink. There are cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails at the base of the surrounding slopes.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 1430 meters
- Resort altitude – 1800 – 3230 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 150 km
- Number of tracks – 68
- “Green” – 8 pcs.
- “Blue” – 25 pcs.
- “Red” – 27 pcs.
- “Black” – 8 pcs.
- Lifts – 33 (6 gondola, 16 chairlifts, 11 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 56€ / 44€
- Season duration : from November to April
Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes is a popular winter sports center located at an altitude of 1.6 km at the foot of the majestic Mont de Lans glacier. This resort opened in 1932, and a couple of years later the first hotel for skiers began operating here. Interestingly, there were no mechanical lifts in Les Deux Alpes at that time, and athletes climbed to the starting point on foot or on donkeys and mules.
Today the resort is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure, from cable cars, snow machines, snow groomers, to a variety of après-ski recreational facilities. The total area of the resort exceeds 430 hectares, of which 20% is covered by an artificial snowmaking system of 214 generators.
The real attraction of Les Deux Alpes is the country’s longest off-piste descent for freeride enthusiasts. It has a length of 16 km with a height difference of 2.2 km, going into the neighboring La Grave ski area.
On the Mont-de-Lans glacier there is an extensive snow park, considered one of the best in France. It has ten ski areas of varying difficulty levels, perfect for both experienced snowboarders and amateurs who are getting on the board for the first time. You can master the basics of skiing at one of the local schools, under the guidance of an experienced coach.
After skiing, vacationers can relax in numerous bars, cafes and restaurants. Here they will be offered to taste amazing French cuisine, as well as taste the best varieties of local wines.
Walks in the picturesque surroundings of Les Deux Alpes are also very popular among holidaymakers. A visit to the ice grotto, located at an altitude of more than 3.4 km, will leave an unforgettable experience.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 2298 meters
- The height of the resort is 1270-3568 meters
- Length of running tracks – 20 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 226 km
- Number of tracks – 89
- “Green” – 19 units, 58 km
- “Blue” — 42 units, 97 km
- “Reds” – 18 units, 39 km
- “Black” – 10 pcs., 30 km
- Lifts – 45 (6 gondola, 20 chairlifts, 19 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 52€ / 42€
- Season duration : from December to April
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Chamonix is a small town located at the foot of the highest peak of the Alps, Mont Blanc. The nearby ski resort of the same name has several “most” epithets. This is the oldest winter resort in France, with a 200-year history, located on the slope of the highest mountain in the Alps at the foot of the most extensive glacier in Europe.
Chamonix is famous for the fact that it was here that the first Winter Olympics in history took place in 1924.
The popularity of this resort area, which attracts tourists both in winter and summer, can be judged by the huge number of vacationers. On average, up to 5 million people come to Chamonix every year – some to improve their health, others to engage in active recreation.
Here is the famous off-piste ski area “White Valley”, which runs along the bed of a nearby glacier. The total length of unmarked freeride slopes here is 23 km.
By purchasing a ski pass, tourists also receive the right to ski in neighboring foreign resorts – Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc and Verbier in Switzerland. In order to get to the other side of the border, the athlete only needs to drive through the tunnel built under Mont Blanc.
For freestyle and snowboarding, a modern snow park has been built in the town of Les Houches, near Chamonix, and there is a half-pipe in Le Tours.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 2808 meters
- Resort altitude – 1035 – 3843 meters
- Length of running tracks – 42 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 115 km
- Number of tracks – 68
- “Green” – 12 pcs., 7 km
- “Blue” — 26 units, 36 km
- “Reds” – 19 units, 40 km
- “Black” – 11 units, 32 km
- Lifts – 49 (10 gondola, 18 chairlifts, 21 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 67€ / 57€
- Season duration : from December to April
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is one of the resorts of the Three Valleys, located at an altitude of 1.4 km. This is a quiet, cozy town with a typical alpine flavor, which in itself is a great place to relax from the hustle and bustle of large cities. Here travelers will be able to enjoy the healing mountain air, magnificent scenery and indescribable flavor of the ancient provincial town with its neat narrow streets and medieval stone houses.
The ski area begins right at the outskirts of Saint-Martin: here is the lower station of the cable cars that deliver athletes to the starting points. From the nearby peak, tourists can look out across the vast Belleville valley with the majestic silhouette of Mont Blanc on the horizon.
The ski slopes in Saint Martin are of high quality and variety. Comfortable skiing is ensured by an extensive artificial snowmaking system consisting of 400 generators.
For fans of freestyle and snowboarding, there is a separate skiing area equipped with a variety of equipment for practicing the technique of performing acrobatic pirouettes. Vacationers also have the opportunity to go cross-country skiing or ride a sleigh along a specially designated route.
You can stay overnight here in wooden chalet houses, built close to the high-speed slopes and cable lifts.
The city has restaurants, cafes, shops, fitness rooms and a spa center.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 1750 meters
- Resort altitude – 1450 – 3200 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 160 km
- Number of tracks – 86
- “Green” – 12 pcs.
- “Blue” – 42 pcs.
- “Red” – 24 pcs.,
- “Black” – 8 pcs.
- Lifts – 34 (6 gondola, 15 chairlifts, 13 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 45€ / 35€
- Season duration : from December to April
Megève
Megève is a resort village in Haute-Savoie, famous throughout the world for its ski center. It was discovered more than a century ago, in 1910, at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc peak. It gained fame as a “family” resort for the millionaire Rothschild baron family. In 1921, a famous fashionable hotel was opened here, owned by Noemi Rothschild. Thus, Megève became the first resort in France built from scratch specifically to accommodate vacationers. All other resort places in the country developed on the basis of already existing towns and villages. Since those distant times, a touch of aristocracy has been preserved here.
In Megève, today you can easily meet representatives of European noble families, prominent politicians, entrepreneurs, and representatives of show business. It is not surprising that the level of service and infrastructure facilities is at the highest global level.
Megève has fashionable hotels, expensive restaurants, art galleries, casinos and private clubs where representatives of high society gather. There are also more democratic entertainments: a snow park with kickers and border crosses, flat ski tracks, a fitness center, an indoor swimming pool and an ice skating rink.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 1237 meters
- Resort altitude – 1113 – 2350 meters
- Length of running tracks – 75 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 449 km
- Number of tracks – 219
- “Green” – 38 pcs., 55 km
- “Blue” — 65 units, 148 km
- “Reds” – 82 units, 189 km
- “Black” – 34 units, 53 km
- Lifts – 80 (9 gondola, 26 chairlifts, 45 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 67€ / 57€
- Season duration : from December to April
Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez is a large ski center, one of the five best winter resorts in France. The village began to develop as a resort town in 1920, and in 1936 the first ski slopes were built here. For the 68 Winter Olympics, held in Grenoble, the infrastructure and technical equipment were completely updated. This allowed Alpe d’Huez to host a number of international competitions as part of the Olympic Games.
Particular mention should be made of the favorable weather of this area for winter holidays – there are over 300 sunny days a year. At the same time, despite the winter temperatures that are quite comfortable for skiing, Alpe d’Huez can boast of an abundance of snow.
The resort is especially famous for its trails for experienced athletes. Thus, the longest “black” descent in all of Europe is laid here. This is the 16 km long Sarenna track, which can be seen in one of the James Bond films. It has a height difference of 2 km and passes through a tunnel in a nearby glacier.
There are two snow parks and a half-pipe in Alpe d’Huez, equipped with rails, slides, waves, boxes and other devices. There are also slopes more suitable for intermediate-level lovers and beginners, so every vacationer can choose a route to their liking.
In addition to skiing, tourists can engage in active recreation in Alpe d’Huez in an indoor sports center, visit an ice skating rink or swimming pool, and go on a snowmobile safari. Exclusive offers include exploring the picturesque surroundings of Alpe d’Huez by paragliding or taking a helicopter tour. The resort also has a standard set of après-ski recreation – restaurants, bars, night discos, and a cinema.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 2230 meters
- Resort altitude – 1100 – 3330 meters
- Length of running tracks – 54
- The total length of the ski slopes is 240 km
- Number of tracks – 118
- “Green” – 38 units, 47 km.
- “Blue” — 31 units, 53 km
- “Reds” – 33 units, 74 km
- “Black” – 16 units, 66 km
- Lifts – 82 (16 gondola, 25 chairlifts, 41 rope tows)
- Day ski pass adults/children – 55€ / 45€
- Season duration : from December to April