In France, some ski resorts are known worldwide, especially in the Northern Alps, but not only there!
Want to learn more about these destinations, ranked among the best in France and even Europe? We guide you to help you choose your ski resort for your next winter holidays.
Some are synonymous with excellence, offering skiers immense and high-quality ski areas: Tignes, Val Thorens, Méribel... Beyond skiing, other resorts have built a unique identity, like Chamonix for nature lovers, or Courchevel and Megève for luxury and fine gastronomy.
Tignes Ski Resort
Tignes is one of the best ski resorts in the world. Situated at high altitude, with 300 kilometers of pistes and excellent snow coverage, you can ski in Tignes year-round, especially under the winter sun!
The ski area includes beginner and fun zones as well as slopes for novices and experts. A freeride paradise, Tignes also offers unique activities such as Burn J Ride (jumping off a 40-meter ramp with skis, snowboard, or sled attached to a harness), dog sledding, ice diving, and snow biking. Après-ski options include relaxation areas, shops, bars, and restaurants.
Val Thorens Ski Resort
Among the best ski resorts, Val Thorens is Europe’s highest at 2,300 meters. Val Thorens is part of the 3 Valleys, the world’s largest ski area, with 600 kilometers of slopes. Alpine skiing and snowboarding dominate here, but you can also enjoy ski touring or snowshoeing.
The resort is family-friendly, offering kids’ activities at the Forum, a babysitter list online, and numerous restaurants suitable for children. Nightlife options include open-air clubs, concerts, and numerous bars.
Méribel Ski Resort
Located in the 3 Valleys, a concentration of the world’s best ski resorts, Méribel offers an exceptional ski area with excellent snow coverage. Suitable for all levels, it provides ski schools, ski touring, sledding, snowmobiling, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Its Olympic park features a spa, fitness center, pool, and ice rink. Méribel also has a rich cultural program.
Chamonix Ski Resort
At the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is famous for its stunning panoramic views and extensive ski domain linked to other resorts, including Italy. It’s perfect for all winter sports levels: skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snooc, cross-country skiing, or speedriding. Chamonix is a prime destination for off-piste skiing and nature exploration (including winter lakes like Lac Vert) or accessing the famous Aiguille du Midi via cable car. Families can enjoy theme parks, playgrounds, and other activities.
Après-ski options include indoor tennis, ice skating, spas, museums, a casino, and concerts.
Courchevel Ski Resort
Known as the "World's Ski Capital," Courchevel features luxurious chalets, Michelin-starred restaurants, and an outstanding wooded ski area. Popular with affluent visitors for its 5-star hotels, 8 Michelin-starred restaurants, high-end nightlife, and wellness centers, it is also family-friendly. Options include Saint-Bon village for a typical stay, Moriond for sunny slopes, or Courchevel 1850 for a luxury vacation.
La Plagne Ski Resort
Beyond an amazing ski area for beginners and experts, La Plagne offers activities such as snowmobiling, paragliding, zip-lining, ice climbing, and bobsleigh rides (unique in France). It’s one of the best resorts in the French Alps for piste skiing, freeride, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing.
From La Plagne, you can access another famous alpine resort: Les Arcs, part of the Paradiski area, with peaks reaching ~3,000 meters.
Megève Ski Resort
For a long time, Megève was limited by its smaller ski area. Now connected to the Évasion Mont-Blanc and Les Portes du Mont-Blanc domains, it offers 400 kilometers of slopes and beautiful freeride zones.
For non-skiers, the <strongcharming wooden="" village<="" strong=""> focuses on lifestyle: gourmet and high-altitude restaurants, luxury shops, cultural activities, numerous spas, and yoga classes.
These mountain destinations are located in the Northern Alps, mainly in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. However, other complete and excellent resorts exist elsewhere in France: Alpe d’Huez in Isère, Les Deux Alpes also in Isère, Alpes du Sud resorts for maximum sun, Grand Tourmalet in the Pyrenees, Mont-Dore in the Massif Central, and Métabief in the Jura.
For the best family-friendly ski resorts, check out our selection of family-oriented resorts.