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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.
Village d'enfants-Avoriaz-copyrights Stéphane Lerendu

Village d’enfants-Avoriaz-copyrights Stéphane Lerendu

 

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
Plan Régional Avoriaz copyrights tourist office

Plan Régional Avoriaz copyrights tourist office

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
downtown Megéve

downtown Megéve

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
Ski mondial - copyrights Stéphane Céros and office of tourism Les Deux Alpes

Ski mondial – copyrights Stéphane Céros and office of tourism Les Deux Alpes

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

La station des Saisies, © Monica Dalmasso

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 ski in and out

 

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

 

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