The Top 8 Ski Spots in France

Whether you’re tackling exhilarating black runs beneath the icy majesty of Mont Blanc, ski-touring among the stunning jagged peaks, or gliding through charming forest trails, France offers an unmatched array of skiing options for every skill level, style, and budget.

The ski season in the iconic French Alps, more tranquil Pyrenees, and the serene Jura Mountains generally spans from mid-December to April. The highest alpine resorts, including Val Thorens (recognized as Europe’s highest and awarded World’s Best Ski Resort for the 8th time in 11 years at the 2023 World Ski Awards), Tignes, and Les Deux Alpes, are the first to open their doors by late November, contingent on snowfall. Limited glacier skiing above 3,000m (9,842ft) in Tignes and Les Deux Alpes provides a few precious weeks of corduroy runs from mid-June to early August; however, as temperatures rise and glaciers recede, this brief summer ski season continues to dwindle.

Christmas, New Year, and the February school holidays mark the peak season: brace for soaring transport and lodging costs, bustling bars and restaurants, and long waits at ski lifts. To secure your preferred location (traditional alpine village, car-free town, or purpose-built resort) and accommodation (mountain hut with bunks, family-run hotel, self-catering chalet, or a luxurious retreat with a hot tub and breathtaking mountain views), it's best to book several months in advance.

To minimize your carbon footprint, consider taking the train to the French Alps and using public transport or local car-sharing options like BlaBlaCar or Morzine Co-Voiturage for the last leg of your journey. From the UK, you can board the overnight snow train TravelSki Express via Lille to Bourg St-Maurice, or take the once-weekly Eurostar Snow Train to Lille and further to Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Brides-les-Bains, Aime-la-Plagne, and Bourg-St-Maurice. Alternatively, connect a regular Eurostar to Paris or Lille with SNCF TGVs and regional trains. For those considering train travel to the Alps, Snowcarbon is the ultimate rail planner.

1. Morzine-Avoriaz

Ideal for eco-conscious skiers

The ecological impact of ski resorts is becoming increasingly important to winter sports enthusiasts. Environmentally friendly Morzine-Avoriaz fits the bill with renewable energy-powered catered chalets from Alikats (offering the innovative option of single room bookings in shared accommodations), electric vehicle shuttles, car-sharing programs, zero-waste initiatives, and plant-based dining options. Skiers can rent ski gear in Morzine from Crevasse Clothing, enjoy artisanal dishes featuring local ingredients at Avoriaz’s trendy MiL8 hotel-restaurant, or indulge in foraged meals prepared by private chef Blossom & Weeds. Mornings kick off with zero-waste coffee roasted locally by Cafés Vorlaz, while evenings can be spent sipping craft beer with local eco-enthusiasts at Morzine’s experimental microbrewery, Bec Jaune. Both resorts are reachable by train to Cluses or Geneva followed by shared transfers, and they proudly hold the Flocon Vert ('Green Snowflake') certification, recognizing sustainable practices among 15 resorts in France.

The Portes du Soleil ski area offers sublime skiing for all skill levels, featuring 400km (249mi) of runs. Morzine is a lively market town filled with traditional wooden chalets and slate-roofed buildings. Higher up at a reliable elevation of 1,800m (5,906ft), the ski-in-ski-out resort of Avoriaz presents a whimsical, car-free atmosphere with its 1960s avant-garde architecture and picturesque streets where horse-drawn sleighs add to the charm.

How to Reach Morzine-Avoriaz: The nearest airport is Geneva, Switzerland, just a 90-minute drive away. The Altibus shuttle service connects Cluses train station to Morzine in 30 minutes; train travelers can enjoy a 10% discount on ski passes with the AlpinExpress Pass.

2. Megève

Perfect for luxury and fine dining

A classic gem in the Chamonix Valley, this upscale village resort boasts a stunning baroque old town and a picturesque array of stylish horse-drawn carriages. It was established in the 1920s by Baroness Noémie de Rothschild, who sought an alpine escape. Since then, it has remained a favorite among Parisians, food enthusiasts, and affluent families alike.

This resort uniquely boasts three Michelin-starred restaurants, featuring top French chefs Emmanuel Renaut and Anne-Sophie Pic, alongside winter renditions of St-Tropez’s famous Le Café and the Parisian piano-cocktail bar, Le Piaf.

Dining on the slopes is an unforgettable experience. Rustic chalets d’alpage, once used by summer shepherds, dot the family-friendly runs in the Évasion Mont Blanc ski area. Some of these chalets offer cozy Savoyard eateries, where highlights include melted Comté on toast, gooey Reblochon cheese tartiflette, and blueberry tart at Chalet Le Forestier or Auberge du Bonjournal. A memorable lunch awaits at the Alps’ oldest high-altitude restaurant from the 1930s, Chalet Sauvage, or enjoy après-ski with truffle pizza and oysters at L’Idéal 1850.

How to Reach Megève: Reserve shared or private bus transfers from Geneva airport through Megevexpress. Buses connect the resort to Sallanches train station, located 7.5 miles (12km) to the south.

3. Espace Killy

Ideal for families (especially teens)

Enormous in scale and diversity, Espace Killy in the upper Tarentaise Valley is the ultimate all-around destination. With an impressive range of breathtaking off-piste runs alongside gentle green slopes perfect for beginners and little ones, this remarkable ski area caters to every age and skill level. At its core are the vibrant resorts of Val d’Isère and Tignes. While they can be pricey, they offer top-notch facilities, a wide array of accommodation and dining options, and an exciting nightlife scene: the iconic Folie Douce has been the go-to outdoor venue for après-ski fun since 1982, featuring dazzling performers, DJs, and lively table dancing.

Lakeside Tignes is a haven for thrill-seekers. On the frozen Lac de Tignes, younger kids can enjoy a snow maze, igloos, ice skating, and curling. Adventurous teens can take on a ski jump or leap bungee-jump style into a 40m (131ft) drop with Bun J Ride. Ice diving and floating add to the excitement as well.

How to Reach Tignes: It’s a one-hour bus ride (Line 83) from Bourg St-Maurice train station to Tignes; Transdev Savoie also provides bus services to Geneva and Lyon airports.

4. St-Martin de Belleville

Perfect for a charming village atmosphere

With its lovely steepled church and a collection of traditional Savoyard homes, this authentic village in the Tarentaise Valley feels like it’s come straight out of a beautifully illustrated fairy tale. Skiers can roll out of bed and onto the snowy slopes at 1,450m (4,757ft), conveniently linked by lifts to the reliable Trois Vallées—the largest ski area in the world, boasting four valleys and 600km (373 miles) of runs. This area includes favorites like the British-popular Méribel, high-altitude Val Thorens, family-friendly Les Menuires, and the glamorous Courchevel, frequented by the wealthy elite. While skiing here caters to all levels, intermediates and advanced skiers are in for an absolute treat. In the quaint St-Martin de Belleville, indulging in a hearty plate of diots (local pork sausages braised in white wine) and enjoying traditional accordion music at the charming Le Trait d'Union serves as a nostalgic reminder of rural Savoie life.

Other picturesque ski villages include Les Gets and St-Jean d’Aulps (Portes du Soleil), as well as Lanslebourg-Mont Cenis, Lanslevillard, and Bonneval in the scenic Val Cénis backcountry.

How to Reach St-Martin de Belleville: From Moûtiers, the nearest train station, Transdev Savoie operates buses to all the Trois Vallées resorts. Additionally, Altibus offers airport transfer services.

5. Hirmentaz-Bellevaux

Ideal for budget-conscious skiers

The lesser-known Hirmentaz in Haute-Savoie’s Vallée Verte is among the smallest resorts, featuring 25 slopes and 15 lifts perfect for beginners and low-key intermediates. At a lower elevation of 1,100m (3,609ft), snow can be inconsistent, and the ski season is brief. However, budget skiers will find it hard to beat the value here—an adult one-day ski pass costs just €25.60 (or €22.50 for five hours starting from 3pm), a stark contrast to the €67 day pass in nearby Chamonix (which offers no half-day options).

Favored by local families, young children can quickly tumble out of the car and onto the slopes. Ski rental shops are conveniently close to the parking area, and the crepes served on the slope-facing terrace of Hôtel Les Skiers are likely the most affordable in the Alps. Nearby, Bernex offers charming forest trails, while Thollon-les-Mémises provides stunning panoramic views of Lake Geneva, making them other excellent-value resorts in the vicinity.

How to Reach Hirmentaz: You'll need your own transportation to access Hirmentaz, which is about an hour's drive from Geneva airport. Alternatively, you can use the BlaBlaCar app for ride-sharing options.

6. Chamonix

Ideal for advanced skiers

Steeped in a rich mountaineering history and packed with ski legends, this historic town in Haute-Savoie’s Chamonix Valley is nothing short of spectacular. Majestic mountains rise in every direction, culminating in Mont Blanc (4,805m/15,766ft) – the highest peak in Europe – and Aiguille du Midi (3,842m/12,605ft), which can be accessed year-round via cable car. From this vantage point, seasoned skiers can traverse the crevasse-riddled glaciers with a guide on the 20km (12.4mi) Vallée Blanche descent, one of Europe’s most renowned off-piste routes.

Freeriders seeking thrilling lines flock to the steep and challenging terrain of the Grands Montets ski area in Argentière, along with the adrenaline-pumping black runs in Les Houches; the vertical Kandahar on the Verte des Houches slope is legendary. The sunny slopes of Brévent-Flégère also offer fantastic options for advanced skiers. After a day on the slopes, soothe tired muscles with a luxurious spa experience at QC Terme, complete with stunning views.

Chamonix's downtown area is equally vibrant. You'll find a wealth of options for drinking, dining, and shopping. Be sure to try raclette and other local cheeses at the dairy cooperative Coopérative Fruitière en Val d’Arly (93 rue Whymper), and don’t miss the best gauffres (waffles) in the Alps, made to order at the cozy wooden hut Gauffres de Chamonix (65 rue Whymper), serving since 1965. For dinner, make a reservation at the stylish Mumma just a few doors down.

How to Reach Chamonix: Trains connect downtown Chamonix to various destinations throughout France. The fastest way to and from Geneva Airport is via private or shared bus transfers with Alpybus.

7. Alpe d’Huez

Ideal for festival enthusiasts

Alpe d’Huez is renowned for its reliable snow at high altitudes, a wealth of intermediate red runs, and one of Europe’s longest black runs—the nearly vertical 16km (10mi) La Sarenne. Pro tip: catch the sunset on your last run of the day from the Pic Blanc cable car. The resort's challenging and winding 14km (8.7mi) access road, featuring 21 hairpin turns, often shines in the Tour de France. For festival enthusiasts, Alpe d’Huez transforms into a vibrant hub for dancing to live house, techno, and other electronic music at the week-long Tomorrowland Winter Festival each March, with performances on multiple indoor and outdoor stages—some as high as 3,300m.

Other must-visit music festivals in snowy settings include: Snowboxx (Avoriaz), Rock the Pistes (Portes du Soleil), and Rise Festival (Les Deux Alpes).

How to Reach Alpe d’Huez: Altibus offers bus transfers from Geneva airport. Return trips with unbeatable value, including a one-day lift pass, can be booked for as low as €20 with Skiligne day trips by coach from Grenoble bus station via Transaltitude.

8. Métabief Mont d’Or

Perfect for cross-country skiing

In the tranquil Jura Mountains, skiing follows a relaxed pace. Stretching northeast along the Franco-Swiss border from Lake Geneva to Belfort, this region embraces cheese-making, cross-country skiing, and the soothing sound of cowbells. Glide steadily along 214km (133 miles) of cross-country trails around Métabief Mont d’Or, where a single lift takes downhill skiers to the summit of Mont d’Or (1,463m/4,800ft). Here, breathtaking vistas of Lake Geneva, the Matterhorn, and Mont Blanc stretch out in the distance. After a day on the slopes, warm up with a fiery shot of local liqueur de sapin (pine tree liqueur).

Other picturesque cross-country ski resorts include Autrans in the Massif du Vercors (Isère) and Domaine du Chioula, just an hour’s drive from Toulouse (Ariège).

How to Reach Métabief Mont d’Or: Having your own vehicle is essential to access this location.

Essential tips for planning your French ski getaway

Assess the skiing abilities of your group and select a suitable ski resort. For effortless access to the slopes, aim for a high-altitude destination around 2,000m, where snow coverage is reliable, and many accommodations offer ski-in-ski-out options.

Your primary expenses will be accommodation and lift passes (forfaits de ski). Generally, the farther your lodging is from the lifts, the more affordable it will be. Similarly, smaller, lower-elevation resorts tend to have cheaper ski passes. To minimize waiting times and costs, consider purchasing or recharging reusable smartcard ski passes online in advance.

Cut down on rental costs while being environmentally friendly: in the UK, rent or purchase second-hand gear from Ecoski before your trip. Resorts typically have sports shops that rent out skis, boots, and helmets; just ensure you reserve ahead online.

Enjoy skiing for free or at a reduced cost

Lift passes range from €25 for one day at Hirmentaz–Bellevaux to €75 for six days at the luxurious Courchevel, making it worthwhile to skip the lifts entirely and enjoy free skiing. Most downhill resorts now feature marked routes for ski touring (ski de randonnée), which are typically breathtakingly beautiful. You can rent touring equipment at local sports shops.

In many resorts, children under five can ski for free, as can seniors over 72 or 75. Additionally, many resorts offer a 40% discount on one-day ski passes on Saturdays, a great deal since Saturday is traditionally the least busy day on the slopes.

What if skiing isn’t your thing?

No worries! Resorts provide pedestrian passes for winter hikers who want to take a lift to higher, more scenic trails, perfect for exploring on foot or with snowshoes. There’s also an array of thrilling outdoor activities available without skiing: ice diving, fat biking (snow biking), extreme sledding, ice climbing, zip-lining, dog sledding with huskies, and even skydiving – the options are virtually limitless.