Snowboarding in France with Sylvain Bourbousson

Snowboarding In France

Everything you need to know to plan your perfect snowboarding trip.

Plan Your Trip

YOUR TRIP | FAVOURITE RESORTS | BACKCOUNTRY | FEATURED VIDEO | SNOWBOARD GALLERY

For the travelling snowboarder, it’s safe to say that France has it all. France is a lucky country – for starters it’s got two major mountain ranges, the Alps and the Pyrenees, both with excellent snowboarding. The French Alps are more easily accessible for most people travelling from northern Europe. They’re also higher which means the season is longer and the snow is more dependable, and they boast the biggest lift-accessed vertical drop in the world.

The Pyrenees resorts are less expensive than big resorts in the Alps and they’ve escaped mass tourism, so you can get a really nice authentic experience. Plus, although the runs aren’t as long, there’s some great little gullies to ride and plenty of super accessible fun freeride terrain.

It’s no secret that in terms of winter sports activities, snowboarding takes second place to skiing. Stories about the sport loosing popularity are hard to square though when you visit resorts like Avoriaz, Les Arcs and Les 2 Alpes which make the most of their awesome park and freeride terrain and put the sport on a pedestal.

Getting there

International airports for transfers to the Alps include Geneva, Chambéry, Grenoble and Lyon. For resorts in the southern French Alps like Isola 2000 and Serre Chevalier, you can also fly to Nice, Turin or even Marseille. For the Pyrenees, Pau and Toulouse are the major gateways, but you can also fly to Perpignan for resorts in the eastern Pyrenees and Biarritz for resorts furthest west.

When to go

French resorts tend to open early to mid-December and close mid to late-April. The tourist office in each resort will communicate the actual opening dates which can change depending on snow conditions. In the Pyrenees the snow tends to come in fits and starts with big dumps coming from Atlantic storms that can melt away quickly in a warm southerly wind.

Venturing off-piste

France has some of the world’s best lift-accessed freeride snowboarding combined with a refreshingly relaxed attitude to danger. That means there’s little restriction when it comes to going off-piste. Resort boundaries are clearly defined and you can duck under the ropes without being penalised.

You are responsible for your own actions though, and accidents happen all the time. Avalanche risk is often high, especially on those days when fresh powder beckons. So the advice is simple – take a guide. You’ll be kitted out with an avalanche rescue kit and shown how to use it. And, your guide will show you the best, safest descents on the day. Make sure as well that you have insurance. For basic accident insurance that will cover getting you off the mountain, buy a Carte Neige when you get your pass.

ORGANISE YOUR Snowboard Trip

Once you’ve chosen the perfect resort in France for your preferred snowboarding style and ability, you need to organise your accommodation, airport transfers, snowboard hire, lessons and for powder hounds, some off-piste guiding and heli-boarding. We’ve got your back. We work with the best companies in the industry to help you organise an unforgettable snowboarding trip.

Snowboarding Resort Guides

Resort Guides

Get the lowdown on the best resorts in the French Alps for your next snowboarding holiday.
MINT Snowboarding Girls Snowboard Camp

Snowboarding Lessons

Learn to snowboard in France with passionate English speaking instructors.
Off-Piste Snowboard Guiding

Off-Piste Guiding

Find a qualified backcountry guide and strike out away from the pistes.
Ski Resort Airport Transfers

Airport Transfers

Our airport transfers partners provide great value and reliable transfers to French ski resorts.
France Chalet Accommodation

Accommodation

Find quality accommodation for all budgets across the French Alps.
Skiers on holiday in La Plagne, France

Snowboard Rental

Book your snowboard rental in advance – it’s cheaper and a lot less hassle.

The Best Showboarding Resorts in France

Snowboarders of every stripe flock to France each winter, from families and couples who enjoy the wide open pistes of Les 3 Vallées to serious freeriders who pit their wits against the steep terrain of Chamonix, Sainte Foy and La Grave. We’ve spent seasons in France snowboarding in resorts in the Northern French Alps like Avoriaz and Tignes and the southern French Alps like Serre Chevalier and Isola. Based on our experiences, here’s a selection of our all-time favourite snowboarding resorts. SEE ALL RESORTS

Morzine snowboard resort guide

Morzine

Morzine in the Portes du Soleil has access to an unbelievable amount of great riding.
Chamonix snowboard resort guide

Chamonix

Chamonix is the real deal – steep big mountain terrain, epic freeriding and pumping après.
Go
Snowboarder hitting a box jump in Avoriaz

Avoriaz

Avoriaz, home to The Stash, offers an unbelievable amount of high quality and varied snowboarding.
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Tignes snowboard resort guide

Tignes

Massive snow cover and impressive terrain makes Tignes a top spot for every snowboarder.
Val Thorens snowboard resort guide

Val Thorens

With its lofty altitude and an abundant snow, Val Thorens offers an unforgettable holiday.
Go
Les 2 Alpes snowboard resort guide

Les 2 Alpes

Les 2 Alpes is know for its friendly locals, quality snowpark and extensive wide pistes.
Go

Malcome Moore’s Secrets To Snowboarding Well

Discover the most important thing you need to learn to snowboard well! Learn why skidding holds you back and learn how precise edge control unlocks all terrains and conditions. From breaking down the mechanics of an S-turn to mastering early edge changes and carving with confidence, this video takes you step-by-step through improving your riding technique. Whether you’re perfecting your stance, transitioning smoothly, or refining your turn sizes, these tips will help you ride stronger and more fluidly. Perfect for snowboarders ready to elevate their skills and shred like a pro!

Sylvain Bourbousson

Snowboarding in France is good because we have a lot of diversity. You can find steep freeriding, easy slopes, cold weather, slushy snow… There are a lot of different spots. Everybody can have fun here, and freeriding is allowed anywhere, anytime! You just have to be careful because the avalanche risk is often high. For the freestylers, parks in France aren’t the best in Europe, except for resorts like Avoriaz and Les Deux Alpes. These resorts are my favourite – you’ll find really good parks, great slopes with good backcountry and funny apres!

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Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your snowboard trip to France, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this page. Happy holidays!

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