La neige poudreuse, the powder snow, sounds even more tempting in French. The snow conditions, the accommodation and food in the French Alps leave no wishes unfulfilled. 

If you go skiing in France, you can expect very good regional cuisine with a touch of Mediterranean flair, state-of-the-art lift technology and varied, challenging slopes. Discover the sunniest southern slopes and the most exciting freeride runs in the top ski resorts in France – here are the Skimondo expert tips.

Fun in the deep snow: fantastic ski resorts in the French Alps

Skiing in France is considered an experience of superlatives: the French ski resorts outdo one another with kilometres of slopes and the glaciers have the best ski weather all year round. Learn more about the biggest, highest and most challenging ski resorts in France – they should definitely land on your bucket list of top skiing destinations!

Our recommendations for your unforgettable ski experience in France

In addition to extra-large ski resorts with nicely wide runs and deep snow trails, France also goes high. Put these ski hotspots on your to-do list! You won't regret it, for sure.

Kilometers of slopes en masse!

Ski resort Les 3 Vallées

Les 3 Vallées in France is a real experience for every winter sports fan. 600 kilometres of slopes in over eight interconnected ski resorts make it not only one of the best French ski resorts, but also one of the largest ski resorts (if not the largest) in the world. With an altitude of up to 3,230 metres, Les 3 Vallées is also one of the snowiest areas for skiing in France. 

The three valleys offer trails for every difficulty level: beginners learn ploughs and parallel swings in the "Zones A", while professionals wade down the slopes in the high altitudes. The surprising diversity of this ski resort is especially appreciated by families, where its big size protects well against crowded slopes.

Les Portes du Soleil

The ski resort Les Portes du Soleil offers unlimited winter fun in two countries. Near the French-Swiss border over 600 kilometres of slopes are there for you to conquer! One-hour ski downhills are not uncommon in this lovely, enormous ski resort in France. So, no worries: beginners are just as well looked after there as experts and families. Off-piste fans and freeskiers will also get their money's worth in the numerous fun parks and on challenging mogul slopes.

Via Lattea

The famous Milky Way, Via Lattea, connects several mountains in the French Alps and reaches far out into Italy. The town of Montgenévre in the western part of the huge winter sports area belongs to one of the snowiest places in France. Not only that! According to experts, the snow here is said to be nearly the best in Europe. You want to get a first-hand impression? Then get ready for the drive!

However, you should be aware of which side you want to ski on before taking your first lift. The area of the Chalvet is particularly suitable for beginners and families, as the slopes here are flatter and wider. Whereas, the experienced skiers should look at the more demanding slopes around Grand Charvia. Here you will find also an extra freeride zone and several snow parks in the immediate vicinity.

L'altitude maximale!

Les 2 Alpes

Thinking of skiing in France also in summer? The glacier makes it possible! The majestic three-thousand-meter peak La Meije rises up in the ski resort Les 2 Alpes, guaranteeing a year-round skiing pleasure. Not only beginners and advanced skiers will find attractive slopes. There is no dozing off here: freeride slopes lead from Les Deux Alpes to La Grave, the perfect insider tip for freeskiers and off-piste junkies in Europe.

Freestylers defy gravity in a large number of fun parks in Les 2 Alpes: a slopestyle track, a massive superpipe, and various cool obstacles (rails and kickers) await you in the Les 2 Alpes Freestyle Land.

Tignes – Val d’Isère

Two glaciers at over 3,000 meters make the Tignes – Val d'Isére ski area in France a legendary destination for your next ski trip to the French Alps. If you come here for skiing, you will find a seemingly endless, white winter landscape. No wonder, because Tignes – Val d'Isére is considered one of the snowiest ski resorts in France. 300 kilometers of varied downhill runs, competition slopes at the Rocher de Bellevarde and the mogul slopes from the top of Solaise make athletes' hearts beat faster. Freeriders and deep snow fans should not miss the top hotspot for skiing in France: extreme deep snow runs and top equipped snow parks magically attract adventure and adrenaline junkies!

Alpe d’Huez

Every summer, the cycling pros of the Tour de France race themselves up to the 1,850 m high village of Alpe d'Huez. In the cold season, on the other hand, winter sports fans enjoy every kilometer of the amazing slopes in one of the most beautiful French ski resorts. The diversity of the fifth largest ski resort in France is appreciated by international audiences. In the lower part there are mainly beginners, but with each altitude meter the degree of difficulty is increasing. At an altitude of well over 2,000 meters, there are unique deep snow slopes, two snow parks, fun slopes and countless black slopes on Pic Blanc. For those looking for adventure, we recommend the longest black slope in Europe – the Sarenne – which leads from the summit of Pic Blanc over 12 kilometers and 1,800 meters of altitude to the valley to Alpe d'Huez.

Our insider tips for freeriders in France

Are black slopes and moguls boring for you? Experience more speed and adrenaline when skiing in France!

Freeride-Hotspot Chamonix

Chamonix is considered the birthplace of extreme skiing and offers you not only steep descents, but definitely also an extra dose of thrills and adrenaline. The ski resort on the French-Swiss border at the foot of Mont Blanc is a hotspot for freeriders from all over the world. And not without reason: here, steep chutes and big turns had already been ridden, when other ski resorts in the Alps were still in their infancy!

Insider tip La Grave

The French ski resort of La Grave is well known among freeride insiders around the world. The cable-car lift will take you to 3,200 meters altitude, after that a tow lift takes the freeriders further up – to 3,550 meters! From there, you have the choice between glacier slopes with 40 degree angle of inclination and the countless deep snow descents. Go to your limit or home! 

The slopes are waiting for you – just make a choice and pack your ski bag.