French winter resorts for alpine, downhill skiers and snowboarders

Are you still looking for a place to go for your winter holidays? Why not in France?

Whatever type of winter activity you are looking for, you will find it in France. If you are a snowbarder, an alpine or a cross country skier, the many French winter resorts have a wide choice of activities. In addition there snowshoe walks, après-ski parties and shopping. Many resorts are also child friendly and have a good day care system and mini-clubs. 

Arc 2000:

• located in the Savoie near Tignes
• ski up to 10583 feet (3226 meters)
• is beloved by snowboarders
• excellent for all types of skiers
• has many drag and chair lifts
• is a ski in and out station
• known for its 4.3 miles (7 km) black run

Alpe d’Huez 1860-2100:

• is excellent for snowboarders and for good skiers
• offers guaranteed snow
• is a sunny place, with almost guaranteed sunshine
• Black run lovers will like the 9.9 miles (16 km) “La Sarenne” black run.
• Bicycle Race, Le Tour de France, often has a stop there.
• Village once hosted the Olympic games.

Avoriaz:

• located at 3608 feet (1100 meters) in the Portes du soleil area
• excellent for après-ski parties
• is the perfect place for families in the Alps with good day care
• is a car free village
• built the first snow park in France for snowboarders in the 90’s

Chatel:

• located just at the Swiss border and close to Geneva
• is a child friendly village
• tourist office offers many activities for the entire family.
• holds a great weekly market
• has many good slopes

Chamonix:

• located in Haute Savoie near the Mont Blanc chain mountain
• is the oldest winter resort in France
• excellent for ski and après-ski parties
• has guaranteed snow with glaciers nearby
• excellent for those who know how to ski
• not too good for cross country skiing and snowboarders

Contamines-Montjoie:

• located in Haute Savoie
• families with young children will love it.
• excellent place for advanced skiers (mainly black and red slopes)
• is a free traffic resort with a car parking at the village entrance

Courchevel:

• located in the Trois Vallées region in Savoy
• is chic village with great shopping especially at Courchevel 1850
• resort for the rich and famous; Family Beckham & Prince Williams like to ski there.
• has challenging black funs
• offers great slopes

La Clusaz:

• located in the Massif of Aravis
• excellent for beginners and advanced skiers
• has 54 lifts
• known to be an affordable winter resort
• is family friendly with good day care system
• still has its Savoyard charm

La Plagne

• located in Savoy in the Tarentaise Valley
• has guaranteed snow
• good for cross country skiing
• excellent for snow boarders with snow parks
• great place for kids to learn how to ski and for beginners
• is a ski and out resort

Les Deux Alpes:

• can ski up to 11811 feet (3600 meters)
• all year round ski resort
• has guaranteed snow due to its glacier
• is excellent for snowboarding
• family friendly resort
• great for après-ski parties and night life

Le Grand Bornand/Chinaillon:

• convenient to the Geneva airport
• fun and excellent skiing opportunities for families
• has lovely old chalets
• Mt Lachat goes up to 6889 feet (2100 meters) in Chinaillon.

Les Saisies:

• located 1 hour from Geneva in the Savoy
• excellent resort for beginner and intermediate skiers
• is good for advanced and snowboarders
• is a family friendly resort
• less known, so is a more affordable resort
• cross-country skiing and great opportunities for snowshoe walking

Megève:

• located in Haute Savoy
• no snow guaranteed as it is at a low altitude
• classy village with good shopping and a casino
• like the St. Moritz of Switzerland
• is an excellent place to go if you have a family
• 45% of the slopes are easy
• is good for snowboarders
• excellent for cross-country skiing

Méribel:

• located in the Trois Valllées, close to Courchevel and Val Thorens
• ski up to 9685 feet (2952 meters)
• is a very beautiful beloved French village
• has lots of blue slopes
• is excellent for intermediate skiers
• ski in and out resort
• visited by many British and French

Samoens:

• located in the Grand Massif, less than 1 hour to Geneva airport
• has many good lifts (95)
• excellent for snowboarders with a total of 3 parks in Grand Massif
• is a beautiful old and traditional village

Tignes:

• located in the Espace Killy region
• has become more and more popular over the last 13 years
• all year round skiing due to the Grande Motte Glacier
• is known for its great nightlife
• offers many different runs for all levels and snowparks

Val d’Isère:

• located at an altitude of 6069 feet (1850 meters)
• has a large ski area and good for every level
• has lots of off piste opportunities
• resort with guaranteed snow
• tends to have a lot of people on the slopes
• excellent for those looking for glamour
• excellent for après-ski parties
• is not one of the most affordable ski resorts!

Val Thorens:

• located at 7545 feet (2300 meters) in the Trois Vallées in Savoy
• snow guaranteed as it is the highest altitude resort in Europe
• ski in and out resort
• ski up to 10498 feet (3200 meters)
• is great for après-ski parties
• traffic free village with large parking garages at the entrance
• has all types of slopes
• good for cross-country skiing
• excellent for off piste skiing

 

• Alpe d'Huez
• Arc 2000
• Avoriaz
• Chatel
• Contamines- Montjoie
• Courchevel
• France
• La Clusaz
• La Plagne
• Les Saisies
• Megève
• Samoens
• Tignes
• Val d'Isère
• Val Thorens
• winter resorts