The best places to ski in the French Alps

The French Alps are the world’s leading winter sports and skiing destination. With more than 8,000km of slopes and nearly 2,400 ski lifts, there’s a huge choice of wonderful experiences and landscapes. Discover the some of the best places to ski in the French Alps…

Something for every level of skier

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or have more experience. You may be looking for a large international resort or a more traditional ski station in an authentic village. Perhaps you want a family holiday or a sports holiday, cross-country or Nordic skiing. In the French Alps, there are resorts to suit everyone and every ability.

The best ski resorts for a family holiday

Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc

Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc is one of the best resorts for multi-generational family holidays, especially if not everyone is skiing. Saint-Gervais might be one of the lower altitude resorts, but that also means it has the old historic charm of a mountain village and a strong cultural programme. It is also home to one of Europe’s finest thermal water spas nestled in the Thermal Park. For the skiers in the family, the resort is linked by a brand-new lift to the 400km large ski area Évasion Mont-Blanc, which in 2021 also welcomed a new beginner’s area.

As of September 2024, access to the resort has taken a monumental step forward as a new gondola has been inaugurated, which seamlessly links the TGV station in the valley to the resort itself. This not only cuts local road traffic for years to come, but it also opens up train travel from London and Paris direct to the resort. Alternatively, Geneva is a 45-minute transfer away.

Arc 1950, Savoie

Arc 1950 in the famous Paradiski area, is a standout ski resort for all powder hounds. The ‘1950’ represents the resort’s height of metres above sea level making it one of the highest ski villages in Europe. And that kind of altitude means snow cover at resort level is the norm from the start of the season in early December right through to the end of April. The village is an architectural masterpiece and every residence is ski-in ski-out and completely pedestrianised.

Villard-de-Lans, Isère

The biggest family resort in the Vercors, you’ll find long slopes and forested tracks that are perfect for cross-skiers and snow-shoe walking. There are also gentle, wide slopes that are great for beginners.

Flaine, Haute-Savoie

Located in the Haute Savoie region, and part of the Grand Massif ski-ing area, Flaine has earned itself the nickname of “big snowy bowl”, as it boasts one of the best snow records in the French Alps. And for those travelling with children in tow, Flaine is a perfect ski spot for families. Just one of several reasons for this is that it’s actually possible to ski purely blue runs if wanted here, and yet still take in the best views of the Grand Massif area – which has 70 lifts taking you to no less than 148 runs.

This makes for a perfect afternoon treat for children still honing their skills in ski school to be able to enjoy showing off their new-found talents with their parents, without having to tackle taxing pistes with tired legs. There’s also a nursery school for newcomers with a magic carpet. Read our review of Flaine for skiers of all levels.

Combloux, Haute-Savoie

Combloux is the family ski resort par excellence with 66 runs for all levels. There’s a beginners’ area, red runs, and safe off-piste areas. There are also two toboggan runs, snow garden, gardiski centre and a day-care centre for children aged six months and over. Combloux holds the “Famille Plus” label, recognition for their commitment to welcoming families and offering them great services and entertainment. There’s a wide range of activities from farm visits and ski-joering to dog-sledding. You’ll never be bored!

Samoëns

Samoëns, in the Grand Massif ski area, just 1 hour and 10 minutes’ drive from Geneva airport, is a beautiful alpine village, ancient and very French. It’s the only French mountain resort classified as a national heritage site (Caisse Nationale des Monuments Historiques) and its church, according to records, dates from the 12th century, although was finally completed in 1555. It’s super-friendly and there’s loads going on to keep the whole family entertained from bands, to wooden games in the market place and parades! Read our guide to family skiing in Samoëns

Courchevel

Courchevel holds the “Family Plus” label, which commits the resort to ensuring your family holiday is a success. There’s a personalised welcome for families, and activities that are adapted to suit all ages at a price to suit all budgets. You’ll find family accommodation, accessible shops and facilities close by, and professional childcare. Events include sled racing, guided lantern descents, skating galas and a water park centre with an indoor surf wave pool.

For those who love an active ski holiday

Val d’Isère

Val d’Isère is great for the most experienced riders. The ski area is unrivalled for variety and difficulty, thanks to its link with the resort of Tignes. You’ll enjoy more than 10,000 hectares of off-piste skiing, one of the largest areas in the world. Its black runs are also very popular with thrill-seekers, in particular La Face de Bellevarde. There’s plenty here to please serious skiers who plan to spend all their time on the slopes.

Montgènevre, Haute-Alpes

Montgènevre is not well known and that’s what gives it part of its charm. It’s way down south, technically the French Cottian Alps on the Italian border, in fact you can ski into Italy from here! Plenty of snow and a great choice of ski runs make this a great ski location. Runs include blues, reds, and endless off-piste delights. If you feel fit, try a top-to-bottom non-stopper and earn yourself boasting rights in Le Graal, Montgènevre’s après ski epicentre.

Montgènevre’s next door neighbour is Claviere in Italy. And, beyond little Claviere, is the Via Lattea –The Milky Way – 400km of pistes and the resorts of Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, San Sicario, and Cesana. You can choose to stay within a local sector or buy a lift pass for all. It’s entirely doable in a day. Read our review of Montgènevre

Chamonix

Chamonix is the ultimate Alpine ski resort for those looking for speed and thrills. Endless slopes, varied terrain and off-piste skiing in powder are there for the most experienced skiers. Sheltering at the foot of the majestic Mont Blanc mountain, Chamonix has around 100 pistes spread over 119km, at altitudes of between 1,040 and 3,275m. There are 18 green runs, 43 blue and 15 black, one of which is almost 19km long. It’s easy to see why Chamonix is nicknamed the capital of skiing and mountaineering.

Avoriaz

The ski resort of Avoriaz is in the heart of the Portes du Soleil – one of the largest ski areas in the world. The area has 12 resorts linked by almost 600km of pistes and is an ideal playground for those who love extreme skiing. If you like to mix up your routes, you can ski not just in Avioraz but in Châtel and Morzine. Renowned for its freestyle areas and snowparks, Avoriaz offers facilities for all abilities. It also boasts several marked and ungroomed trails, perfect for powder days. There are water parks, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and both the Rock the Pistes and Snowboxx music festivals.

For a ski holiday with friends

Tignes

Tignes is a great choice if you’re looking for a holiday that is both sporty and lively. This famous resort boasts 300km of slopes that are accessible both for beginners and more experienced skiers. Wide slopes with soft curves, a snow park, boardercross, beginners’ area and freeride zones so if your group don’t all ski at the same level – Tignes is the ideal resort. There’s a great choice of restaurants, bars, cinema, bowling and nightclubs.

Arêches-Beaufort, Savoie

Not well-known, in fact rather a secret ski location. And not for those seeking a pumping techno, Jaeger bombs and general carnage each evening type resort. But if you like your pistes uncrowded, a genuine welcome from the locals, great French good and picturesque skiing – Arêches-Beaufort might be just the place for you. It will never claim to be the next big thing, but it definitely could be the next small thing. A really worthy destination for a relatively exclusive ski short break. Read more about Arêches-Beaufort

Val Thorens

Val Thorens is an ideal choice for a mountain holiday with friends. Sitting at the heart of three mountain chains, it is the highest resort in Europe (2,300m)and part of the 3 Valleys area – the largest ski area in the world. During the day, there’s downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and many other winter sports on the 600km of slopes. And at night, there’s a thumping après-ski vibe, with many bars or clubs in the resort.

For a winter holiday without skiing?

La Clusaz, Haute-Savoie

La Clusaz, just a 30-minute drive from Annecy, has held the Famille Plus label for more than 10 years and is a perfect resort for a family ski holiday. With 85 slopes (30 red, 31 blue and 16 green), 125km of in total, there’s something to suit all levels, including the youngest on the safe green slopes. Here they can try out these activities before they head out on the trails. Plenty of events and activities are on offer from toboggan runs to a Reblochon cheese-themed run!

The resort is also one of the largest Nordic ski areas in Haute Savoie. The popular Confins area has 63km of trails, which meander across snowy plains and woodland. The nearby Beauregard plateau has another 36km of runs, with wonderful views over the village and the Aravis mountains, with Mont Blanc beyond them.

Les Arcs

Not everyone who loves mountains and snow, likes to ski all day long. So what is there that doesn’t involve racing down those snowy white slopes? There are plenty of non-ski activities that will make your cheeks rosy and mean you can really enjoy the snow without the skis! From adrenaline-fueled to totally chilled Les Arcs is one of the best areas to head to with snow-shoeing, hiking, Nordic walking, dog sledding, tobogganing and terrific apres-ski. Read our review of Les Arcs for non-ski activities

Travel guide

LeShuttle offers a flexible, low carbon footprint way of travelling to the Alps with your own car – no equipment charges on airlines or need for lengthy resort transfers.

Five reasons to travel to the French Alps by car

Save money: The cost of flights and car hire has significantly increased in recent years making LeShuttle an economical option for travel to Europe, particularly for groups and families. If you have multiple people in your car, it’s likely to work out cheaper than flights.

No airport transfers: Airport transfers to hotels or resorts can involve waiting on other passengers, baggage issues and other delays. Driving yourself means you can get straight to your accommodation and choose travel times to suit you.

Flexibility: Taking a car allows skiers to pack in more than the amount aircraft baggage allowance permits, which is ideal for those who don’t fancy travelling lightly. Another luggage perk is that you also avoid the airline fees that come with taking additional items like snowboards and skis. Plus – you can easily change resorts if the snow conditions aren’t great.

Family friendly: Driving to a ski resort is great for families. You can stop frequently at service stations to let the kids stretch their legs, plus they’ll find it easier to relax and nod off.

Head ‘off-piste’: Make the most of the journey and enjoy all that France has to offer on your way to or from the slopes – take a break for lunch, dinner or overnight. Stop off in Champagne or Burgundy, or one of the wine regions en route and fill your boot with supplies.

Bonus: Enjoy tax-free shopping and you could recoup the cost of your LeShuttle ticket with your savings!

Book your trip with LeShuttle at: www.leshuttle.com