Top French Ski Resorts to Visit

We've put together a list of France's best Alpine ski resorts to visit this season. Whether you're looking for fine dining, family entertainment or pure adventure, it's in this list.

How to select a ski resort in France

As with any type of holiday, when planning a ski holiday, it's important to consider what you're trying to get out of it. Are you bound by school holidays or would you prefer to avoid them? Are you a small group, wanting to stay at a hotel and dine out every evening, or are you part of a larger group looking for self-catered accommodation? All these factors will help you to determine which ski resorts suit your needs best, enabling you to have the best experience possible! 

In this list, we've selected a some of the most popular Alpine ski resorts in France which have good transport links from UK airports. Although many are suitable for skiers of all abilities, we've sorted them according to some of the things that makes them stand out. 

Best for beginners

Best for beginner skiers: Alpe d'Huez

With some of the most extensive nursery slopes in France, Alpe d'Huez is perfect for novice skiers of all ages. Head to Les Bergers nursery ski area or the DMC nursery ski area to practice before moving on to the extensive blue and red slopes.

• Season: Early December to late April
• Nearest airport (driving): Grenoble (90 minute drive)

Best for intermediate skiers

Best for intermediate skiers: Val Thorens

Boasting some of Europe's best red slopes and reliable snow cover, Val Thorens is the perfect destination for intermediate skiers. As the highest resort in Europe, at 2,300 metres, Val Thorens is usually open for skiing between November and May, which is a longer season than most resorts can offer.

• Season: November to May
• Nearest airports (driving): Chambéry (90 minute drive), Geneva (two and half hours drive)

Best for families 

Best for families: Avoriaz

Free of cars, Avoriaz is a compact, purpose-built resort. Accommodation is close to the slopes, which is ideal when you're carrying more than one pair of skis!

• Average snow season: Mid December to late April
• Nearest airport (driving): Geneva (1 hour 45 minutes)

Best for luxury 

Best for luxury: Courchevel

Boasting more five star hotels and Michelin restaurants than any other ski resort in France, Courchevel is popular with the jet set pack. 

• Average snow season: Mid December to late April
• Nearest airports (driving): Chambéry(90 minutes), Geneva (120 minutes)

Best for après-ski 

Best for après-ski: Méribel

• Average snow season: Mid December to late April
• Nearest airport (driving): Chambéry, 1 hour 20 minutes, Grenoble (2 hours 15 minutes), Geneva (2 hours 15 minutes)

Best for off-piste

Best for off-piste: Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes does have slopes for skiers of all levels, but if you're looking for an off-piste adventure, head to La Grave.

• Average snow season: December to late April
• Nearest airport (driving): Grenoble (1 hour)

Best for cross-country skiing 

With over 20km of varied cross-country tracks, Val d'Isère is one of France's best options for cross-country skiing for cross-country skiers of all levels.

• Average snow season: Late November to end of April
• Nearest airport (driving): Chambéry, 120 minutes, Geneva (170 minutes)

Best for experienced skiers

Best for advanced skiers: Chamonix

Chamonix has few options for beginner skiers, and some for intermediate skiers, but its black runs for advanced skiers are among the best in the Alps.

• Average snow season: Mid December to early May
• Nearest airport (driving): Geneva (one hour)

Ski travel insurance from Towergate 

Whether you're skiing or simply enjoying fondue or raclette in your chalet, it's important to think about your safety - one aspect of this is insurance.

For more information on ski travel insurance from Towergate head to our ski travel insurance page.

About the author

Adam Summersby is a respected leader with over 11 years’ varied experience in niche personal and commercial lines insurance, including boat, caravan, site operators and excess reimbursement, with proficiency in leadership, sales and account management.