10 Best Ski Resorts in France, 2024/25

1. Courchevel

Part of the largest lift-linked ski area in the world. Consisting of 3 Vallées, and another four unique luxury villages

• Opening Date: 6 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 21 Apr 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Chambéry Airport - 70 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Geneva Airport - 88 miles (2.5 hour drive)

If you’re up for some exploring, there’s no better place to experience it all than at Courchevel. Courchevel consists of four villages and offers the most balanced selection of greens, blues, reds, and blacks in the 3 Valles ski area. If you’re willing to splurge, the village of Courchevel 1850 makes good sense. It is the largest of the four villages, complete with luxury accommodation, impressive fine dining and a wealth of other activities. Being part of the largest lift-linked ski area is another major drawcard here and there is certainly more than enough for weeks of fun.

• View Courchevel Ski Packages

2. Val d'Isère

World class slopes for intermediates and experts, almost universally at high altitude

• Opening Date: 30 Nov 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 4 May 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Chambéry Airport - 90 miles (2 hour drive)

Geneva Airport - 110 miles (3 hour drive)

With high altitude slopes and almost guaranteed snow, it’s no wonder why Val-d'Isere in the Espace Killy ski area is so popular. The resort has some great terrain for confident intermediates although some trails are more difficult than their colour grading suggests. Overall, we prefer Val-d'Isere for its thriving valley town with a friendly, bustling vibe, at least by French standards, and huge numbers of chalets, hotels, and apartments. In our opinion, this is more of an atmospheric place to stay than neighbouring Tignes, and you have the advantage of a few local tree runs.

• View Val d'Isère Ski Packages

3. Chamonix Mont-Blanc

Famous mountain town with a lively apres scene and legendary off-piste

• Opening Date: 21 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 4 May 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Geneva Airport - 63 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Chamonix is a classic ski town, home to expert skiers. It's dark location in a gorge is a superb spot for deeps and steeps however it lacks relaxing intermediate runs, and even fewer beginner slopes. If you’re seeking long greens or gentle cruises, you might want to consider elsewhere, such as Zermatt. Furthermore, Chamonix is spread across several separate ski areas, linked only by buses and not by lifts so you’ll need to hop on a bus (or bring a car) to reach the other areas on the lift pass. Argentire, Le Tour and several other hamlets are quieter alternatives, but aren’t really any more convenient for getting around the different ski areas.

• View Chamonix Mont-Blanc Ski Packages

4. Les Arcs

High altitiude village and interconnected with La Plagne to form an enormous ski area

• Opening Date: 14 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 26 Apr 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Chambéry Airport - 85 miles (2 hour drive)

Geneva Airport - 105 miles (2.5 hour drive)

Of the two ski resorts which make up France’s third biggest domain, Paradiski, Les Arcs has a distinct advantage over La Plagne. It has a better designed and quicker lift system which allows you to spend more time on the slopes. While there are blues and reds to be found across the Paradiski ski area, steep runs and off-piste routes are quite the drawcard at Les Arcs. Meanwhile, there are hardly any green runs, so near-beginners might do better in La Plagne. Generally speaking, the lowest villages are prettier and quieter places to stay, while the higher outposts have some brutal architecture but quicker access to the slopes.

• View Les Arcs Ski Packages

5. Avoriaz

Being one of France's snowiest resorts, great for families and friends

• Opening Date: 13 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 21 Apr 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Geneva Airport - 60 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Sitting on the French side, Avoriaz offers easy access to Portes du Soleil, one of the world's largest ski areas and provides relaxed, cross-border cruising. The local slopes are linked directly into the main skiing circuit and often have the best conditions in the area. Avoriaz has one of the best snow records in the Alps, but also relatively low altitude elsewhere in the ski area which increases the risk of rain low down. Avoriaz offers varied, scenic skiing of all difficulty levels and its convenient location means access to several towns and villages such as Chatel and Morzine within Portes du Soleil.

• View Avoriaz Ski Packages

6. Alpe d'Huez

Epic views, long black runs and superb beginner terrain – an unusual combination

• Opening Date: 30 Nov 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 21 Apr 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Grenoble-Isère Airport - 66 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Geneva Airport - 133 miles (3 hour drive)

Alpe d’Huez serves up some of the best slopes around. While the beginner terrain is superb here, the off-piste routes, black runs, and the occasional tough reds rule the roost. Alpe d’Huez is a sizable, purpose-built resort in the middle of the ski area, with a rocket-shaped church and quite a few activities for non-skiers. From indoor archery, winter paragliding, dog-sledding, ski joering, or just relaxing with a spa treatment, the off-slope options are endless. The town has several suburbs but try to stay in one of the higher ones for easiest slope access.

• View Alpe d'Huez Ski Packages

7. Serre Chevalier

Traditional village with underrated cruising above and within larch forests

• Opening Date: 7 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 6 Apr 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Grenoble-Isère Airport - 98 miles (2.5 hour drive)

Geneva Airport - 163 miles (3.5 hour drive)

Serre Chevalier is the ultimate getaway from the purpose-built mega resorts of the Northern Alps without compromising on piste mileage. Serre Chevalier is actually four resorts connected by bus, strung along a busy valley road and marketed under a single label. Chantemerle and Villeneuve are centrally located, Briançon is a World Heritage Site, while Le Monetier is quiet and isolated. With tons to explore, Serre Chevalier’s ski area is filled with high, snowy bowls. Serre Chevalier is perfect for intermediate skiers especially those who are happy with red runs because there’s a wide range of great trails to enjoy here.

8. Les Carroz

Authentic mountain village atmosphere with varied slopes in a snow pocket close to Geneva

• Opening Date: 7 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 6 Apr 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Geneva Airport - 46 miles (1 hour drive)

Best on the list for extensive slopes without forking out for a more expensive lift pass; Les Carroz is one of the top spots to explore in the Grand Massif ski area. Les Carroz is a sizeable town – though be careful to stay near one of the magic carpet lifts up to the main gondola, or prepare to use buses. While Flaine is most well known here in the Grand Massif ski area, Les Carroz offers easy access to the other ski resorts. Most of Les Carroz’s slopes are wooded and of intermediate gradient, but there are also a few runs dedicated to beginners.

9. Megève

French historic town with panoramic views of Mont Blanc

• Opening Date: 21 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 6 Apr 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Geneva Airport - 57 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Megève is a genuine, old French town in a broad valley, with a fashionable clientele and the associated high prices for food, drink, and some accommodation. Staying here means you’re centrally placed for all three ski areas; if budget’s an issue, self cater to keep costs down. The slopes are spread across three separate sectors which each have an excellent mix of green, blue, red and black runs, though it’s safe to say that most of the blacks are pretty tame here. In particular, the sheer number of woodland runs at Megeve are perfect for exploring during snowstorms.

• View Megève Ski Packages

10. Les 2 Alpes

Purpose-built French resort with buzzing apres and being budget-friendly

• Opening Date: 30 Nov 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
• Closing Date: 4 May 2025* (Estimated open date based on historical data)

Grenoble-Isère Airport - 68 miles (1.5 hour drive)

Geneva Airport - 134 miles (3 hour drive)

If you’re after snowsure skiing without breaking the budget then Les Deux Alpes is for you. A lively resort by French standards, the purpose-built town spreads along the top of a steep-sided pass. Thanks to a convenient row of access lifts at 2 Alpes, you’re unlikely to be staying too far from the nearest one and with no other resorts sharing the ski area, there are no rival bases. Intermediates will love the long runs off the Glaciers chair and the glacier has genuinely easy blues for those less confident. Regardless, you’re bound to find a run that will tickle your fancy.