Ski Holidays France
French Alps Skiing
British skiers and snowboarders love France, with nearly 40% choosing it as their ski destination last year, and we can see why. France is home to some of the largest ski areas in the world. 3 Vallées, Portes du Soleil and Paradiski offer extensive and diverse skiing opportunities. It also boasts the biggest lift and piste networks in the world. Enjoy high altitude, snow-sure resorts throughout the French Alps.
The Brits also adore France because of its proximity to the UK; the majority of French Alps ski resorts are easily accessible by car, train or plane. The main reason we love France as a ski destination is the charm of the traditional Savoyard mountain villages linked directly to the big lift networks, enabling you to ski as you experience the ‘real’ France, but also for its vast winter playgrounds for which the French Alps is renowned.
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Why Ski in France?
French Alps Ski Resorts
Easily accessible ski resorts
Most French Alps ski resorts featured by Peak Retreats are located within close proximity to motorway exits, train stations or have an easy transfer from airports. Ski areas such as the Grand Massif, Portes du Soleil, Aravis, Paradiski, 3 Vallees and Mont Blanc are all reasonably quick to get to if you are driving via the Eurotunnel LeShuttle, as you can get to your resort from Calais in under 9hrs. Take the Eurostar and a fast TGV down to Bourg St Maurice to reach the Paradiski and Tignes Val d'Isere areas, or to Moutiers for the 3 Valleys ski area and parts of Paradiski. Geneva, Chambery or Grenoble airports all offer quick transfers to the French Alps ski resorts, some in just 1hr.
Fantastic French mountain cuisine
France's iconic affiliation with stunning food and wine is just as strong in the French Alps. Skiers can look forward to a fantastic array of mountain and village based restaurants offering international and local dishes. Savoyard favourites such as raclette, fondue and tartiflette are all a must when taking in the delights of Alpine cuisine. The region is also famous for its many varieties of cheese and wine; including Tomme de Savoie, Bleu de Bresse, Reblochon, Saint-Marcellin and Vacherin cheeses as well as Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhône and Savoy wine.
Large linked ski areas
Enjoy skiing from your village to resolutely modern resorts and pistes in one of the many fully linked ski areas of the French Alps. With up to 600km of linked pistes available in the 3 Valleys and much more in Portes du Soleil, Tignes Val d'Isere, Mont Blanc, Grand Massif or Paradiski, there are a lot of slopes to enjoy. Ski areas develop and modernise their facilities regularly and generally this means improvements to the ski lifts. This makes the journey up the mountain quicker and more comfortable.Â
Snowsure skiing
France is always a good bet if you go for a ski holiday with links to the high altitude resorts; this will give you the best chance of getting top-to-bottom skiing all season long. There are ski resorts we offer in France with glacier skiing that are so snow sure they also offer summer skiing; Tignes and Les Deux Alpes. The world’s largest ski area, the 3 Valleys, is home to Europe’s highest major ski resort - Val Thorens. Other, lower resorts in the area benefit from this guaranteed skiing above thanks to the excellent lift connections in the 3 Valleys such as Saint Martin, La Tania and Brides Les Bains.
You can often find great deals to the lower resorts if you’re willing to catch a lift. The Chamonix Valley is another good choice for guaranteed snow cover. Chamonix offers skiing up to nearly 2,850m above the town itself (at 1,035m) to a land of eternal snow and ice on the famous Bossons and Mer de Glace glaciers.Â
Modern resort facilities
All of the resorts featured by Peak Retreats offer fantastic links to some of the world's best ski areas. Year-on-year development throughout the French Alps brings modernisation and the latest technology to the pistes; including faster, more comfortable lifts as well as snowmaking facilities. Modern lifts are available in the majority of resorts now, with a great mix of gondolas and cable cars taking you to the skiing. Most resorts look to improve their facilities and upgrading lifts is a regular occurrence. Nearly all resorts are equipped with snowmaking facilities, which guarantees snow for skiers when the temperature remains below freezing. If it is cold enough in the early season, the resorts can get to work to provide the best possible base for the season.Â
The French Alps has that ‘je ne sais quoi’
As the French Alps specialist, we are able to offer you the 'real' France. Ski holidays to villages and resorts with a proper French feel, most run by locals who know the area inside-out and understand what you are looking for in a ski holiday. You will get to encounter the wonderfully friendly charm of the French speaking locals and the fantastic Alpine cuisine too. All of the favourites from the mountains can be yours (raclette, fondue, tartiflette..). You will be able to enjoy a stay in beautifully authentic Savoyard chalet-style accommodation, in keeping with the surrounding mountains, using materials such as wood and stone. Unspoilt and traditional, just as it should be.
Great choice of off-slope activities
You will find a plethora of off-piste activities to keep you and the group entertained over your holiday if you choose not to ski or fancy a change. The resorts are always looking to improve their offering and as a result, most will now have a great selection of different activities to suit adults and children. From swimming pools, sports centres and shows/events to more traditional dog-sledding, snow-shoeing and ice skating (to name just a few), you will find countless options to keep yourself busy off the slopes.
Stunning scenery
Set amongst some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world, the ski villages and ski resorts in the French Alps offer amazing views. From the valley floor to the top of the highest ski pistes, there are some unbelievable sights to behold on your winter holiday. Some apartments offer balconies looking out over these mountain views, so you could wake up and enjoy the sights.
Great value accommodation
If you are looking for a great value ski holiday, you are in the right place. We believe that we can offer affordable quality at great prices by selecting 'real' French Alps villages/resorts connected to major ski areas. All our French resorts have high enough altitude and snowsure slopes with mixed terrain for various abilities. All our accommodation has been selected and checked by our Directors or members of the team so you won't have any unpleasant surprises. Also, we only use the leading ski schools in each resort and our ski equipment hire is with one of the most respected suppliers.
Variety
The variety of ski holidays available in the French Alps means that there is something to suit everyone. From family friendly skiing to quieter retreats, from 5* luxury to great value 3* apartments, from hotel to chalet, we will help you to find an unforgettable winter holiday. Simply ask our friendly team of experts.
French Alps ski resorts
Below is a list of the ski resorts in France that Peak Retreats features. Click to navigate to the resort page where you can find out more information as well as accommodation options. Whether unspoilt and traditional or world-renowed, these are the best ski resorts in France.
3 Valleys
- St Martin de Belleville
- Courchevel
- Meribel
- Les Menuires
- La Tania
- Val Thorens
Maurienne Valley
- Val Cenis
- Aussois
- La Toussuire
- St Sorlin d'Arves
- Le Corbier
- Valloire
- Orelle (Val Thorens)
Grand Massif
Aravis Lake Annecy
- La Clusaz
- Le Grand Bornand
- Manigod
- Lake Annecy
Mont Blanc & Chamonix Valley
- Chamonix
- Les Houches
- Vallorcine
- Les Saisies
- Areches-Beaufort
- Notre Dame de Bellecombe
- Saint Gervais
- Les Contamines
- Megeve
- Combloux
- St Nicolas de Veroce​
Paradiski
- Peisey Vallandry
- La Plagne​
- Champagny
- Les Coches
- Les Arcs
- Bourg St Maurice
Portes du Soleil
Isere
- Les Deux Alpes​
- Vaujany
- Oz 3300
- Auris en Oisans​
- Chamrousse
- Villard de Lans
- Corrençon
- Les 7 Laux
- Alpe d'Huez
Tarentaise
- Sainte Foy
- Tignes 1800
-Â Tignes le Lac
-Â Tignes Val Claret
-Â Tignes les Brevieres
- Val d'Isere
- La Rosiere
- Valmorel
- Doucy
