British skiers and snowboarders are lucky enough to have easy access to some of the best skiing on earth in France. France is home to the largest lift-linked ski area in the world, the highest ski resort in Europe and the longest black run in Europe. If there was an Olympics for the best ski resorts, many of the winners would be in France!
Ski holidays in France are extremely popular because of the wide variety of accommodations available, the high quality of amenities in resort, the excellent lift infrastructure and the large varied ski areas. Enjoy a brilliant ski holiday next season in one of our leading resorts featuring one of the best ski runs in France.
5. Prolays, Avoriaz
Selected by Phil, Sales Team Leader
This is one for the freestyle enthusiasts. Prolays is a jibbers paradise, the piste runs parallel to The Stash with lots of bumps and jumps to hit up along the edge. The run itself is usually well pisted and great for fast skiers and snowboarders who wish to shoot down the steep sections.
View more about skiing in Avoriaz
4. Les Sources, La Plagne
Selected by Krystelle, Ski Editor
Located at the top of the Roche de Mio gondola and towering above the La Plagne villages of Belle Plagne and Bellecote is the start of the red run Les Sources. For the more leisurely skier there is also one of my favourite blue runs here Levasset. Les Sources is a fun, wide red piste with varied terrain that sweeps down to join the blue runs as you pass by Belle Plagne village and back down to Bellecotte.
The run varies in steepness which adds to the fun. Experienced skiers can blast through the ups and downs, while relaxed skiers will enjoy the different sections of the run including wide sections at an easy red gradient to shorter sections of stepper terrain.
View more about skiing in La Plagne
3. Top of La Grande Motte, Tignes
Selected by Scotty, Senior Sales Expert
This is one for the expert skiers that love a long ski run. Starting from 3456m at the top of the glacier, hit a few Moguls down Descente (black run) then straight line down into Double M and Cirse (red runs) to Tignes Val Claret at 2100m. Squeeze in a few turns as you go under Les Lanches chairlift if anyone’s watching but aside from that no turning or stopping allowed! Then grab yourself a well-deserved beer down in Val Claret.
View more about skiing in Tignes
2. Hidden Valley from Folie Douce to La Daille, Val d’Isere
Selected by AJ, Sales Director
This ‘hidden gem’ in Val d’Isere is displayed perfectly by Léo Taillefer in the video below. The run is off piste and best left for a powder day. Experienced skiers and snowboarders will be hugely satisfied after tackling this beast!
Find out more about skiing in Val d'Isere
1. Jerusalem, Meribel to St Martin
Selected by Laura, Head of Digital Marketing
This enjoyable red run can be reached from the Tougnete chairlift in Meribel, once at the top you follow the Cretes down before turning left in to Jerusalem. The wide run is filled with natural rollers which make the run so enjoyable and a favourite for numerous skiers and snowboarders.
As you come to the end of Jerusalem you can carry on down the blue Biolly piste to St Martin de Belleville. Do this run in the late morning so you can stop for lunch in the pretty hamlet of St Martin.
Find out more about skiing in Meribel
The runners up…
Selected by Damian, Senior Sales Expert.
Les Menuires – Top of the Becca Lift (2704m) to valley floor (1850m).
La Plagne – From the top of the Bijolin chairlift above Les Coches, take the skiers left of the Bijolin chaitlift through trees on a powder day. It feels like it never ends until you pop out at the road in Montchavin..
Valmorel – I love cutting a straight line down the Col du Mottet and Le Cheval Noir (the 2 peaks overlooking Valmorel). Starting from the top of the Mottet chairlift (the resorts highest point), you can ski down with eye watering speed while piste side then shoot off over a powder glade directly below the Riondet drag lift. Here it starts to get steep. Stop on the face to catch your breath before crossing the frozen river before turning your skis downhill again. You go through bowls of heaven’s dust then drop parallel to the river, trust in your skis and fate for a roller-coaster ride creek side – holding your line without ‘falling in the drink’ before shooting up onto the piste and civilization.
