{"id":2802,"date":"2013-10-06T21:20:48","date_gmt":"2013-10-06T21:20:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activeazur.com\/?page_id=2802"},"modified":"2023-12-05T16:14:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T16:14:30","slug":"french-alps","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/skiing\/french-alps","title":{"rendered":"Skiing in the French Alps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Skiing\n

A Guide to the Best Ski Resorts in the French Alps<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Huge mountains, quick transfer times, epic lift-accessed off-piste and resorts suitable for all abilities make the French Alps a top choice for your next ski trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to skiing<\/a> the French Alps are world-class. You’ll find everything from internationally famous resorts with hundreds of kilometres of groomed pistes to traditional Alpine villages where skiing is part of everyday life. These mountains are also home to the mighty Mont Blanc, western Europe’s highest mountain with endless possibilities for ski mountaineering, steep skiing<\/a> and full-day epic off-piste descents<\/a>. Plus, a whole shebang of other activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In France, people talk about the Northern French Alps and the Southern French Alps. The Northern Alps stretch from Chamonix and the Portes du Soleil down to the Tarentaise and The 3 Valleys. The Southern Alps include ski resorts just south of Grenoble all the way to Mediterranean coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skiing in the Northern French Alps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Northern French Alps offer big mountain terrain and some of France’s most famous ski resorts. Think Chamonix, Tignes, Val d’Is\u00e8re and Meribel, Courchevel and Val thorens in the legendary Les 3 Vall\u00e8es. Fast and efficient ski lift networks zip you around the resorts. It’s not just high-altitude super resorts though, you’ll also find some great smaller resorts at lower altitudes. Quieter and less expensive, if the snow’s good lower down, these can be a good option. Check out Areches-Beaufort and La Clusaz. The Northern French Alps also offer easy access from Geneva, Chamb\u00e9ry and Lyon airports which means less travel time and more time on the slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skiing in the Southern French Alps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With 300 days sunshine per year and a great snow record, the Southern French Alps shouldn’t be overlooked. Where the French Alps meet Provence, these ski resorts have a laid back atmosphere and some amazing skiing terrain. From the jagged peaks of the Ecrins to the coastal mountains in the Mercantour National Park, there’s great piste skiing but also some of France’s best ski touring<\/a>. Transfer times to Alpe d’huez and Les 2 Alpes are around 1 h 15 min from Grenoble airport, while Serre Chevalier is just over 2 hours. For Isola 2000 you’ll probably want to fly into Nice, and it’s very possible in springtime to ski one day and swim in the Med the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Skiers of every stripe flock to the French Alps<\/a> each winter, from families and couples who enjoy the wide open pistes of the Three Valleys to serious all-mountain skiers who pit their wits against the steep terrain of Chamonix<\/a> and La Grave<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resorts such as Tignes<\/a>, Chamonix, Val d’Is\u00e8re<\/a>, Courchevel<\/a> and Morzine<\/a> are now home to some of the largest seasonaire communities in the Alps. The ski resorts of Les 3 Vall\u00e9es<\/a>, with 180 lifts, 600 km of skiing on 330 marked pistes, make up the world\u2019s largest connected ski area and it’s here you’ll find some of the best snow-sure, high altitude terrain in the French Alps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don’t have to be a pro to enjoy the best of the French Alps. Most resorts aim to cater for every level, with great beginner runs and wide open pistes to learn and practice your first turns, fast and fun red runs for intermediates, and more challenging blacks for advanced skiers. Plus easy access to some amazing off-piste skiing<\/a> wherever you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French Alps are often criticised by freestyle skiers for not having enough good quality snow parks (although Avoriaz, Serre Chevalier<\/a>, Les Arcs and Tignes are trying hard to catch up with the US and Canada), but when you ski the natural terrain, it’s easy to see why snow parks aren’t always top of the agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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French Ski Resorts Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n