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Top 10 Best Ski Resorts in France

There are an incredible 250 ski resorts in France, served by more than 3,000 ski lifts. So how do you create your shortlist of favourite French ski resorts? You might be looking for the largest ski resort in France, or one which is perfect for your level of skiing, whether beginner, intermediate or advanced. 

This is Iglu’s review of the best French Alps ski resorts. 

It’s the vast ski areas and stunning scenery, as well as excellent snow conditions, which makes France a fantastic place to book a ski holiday. There is a vast range of accommodation, including the ultra-popular catered chalet.

Whilst prices can be a little higher than Italy for example, many trade off the benefits of high resorts, good snow and excellent lift systems for a bigger budget. 

From traditional Alpine charm to the snow-sure, high-altitude ski resorts, we have selected the top 10 best ski resorts in France to help you choose a destination that will deliver you the ultimate France ski holiday

 Let’s look at the French skiing resorts.

1. Val d’Isere

300km of pistes - 158 runs (Espace Killy Ski Area)
Best for: Everyone, beginners to expert skiers and party animals

Val d'Isère, one of the best French ski resorts, has been a firm favourite amongst Iglu customers year on year for numerous reasons: the vast Espace Killy Ski Area with 300 km of piste to explore including the famous Olympic downhill run – La Face and the miles of cruisy reds and blues. 

It’s one of the best ski resorts in France for experts, due to the number of ski lifts serving off-piste runs. 

Aside from world-class skiing, the pretty town of Val d’Isère has a fantastic après scene, home to the first Folie Douce and Cocoriccos there are plenty of stops to wine down (pun intended) after a day on the mountain. To top it all off, Val d’Isère is home to some amazing restaurants, serving up typical Savoyard cuisine at a range of price points. 

There is wide range of accommodation including catered chalets, but they do get booked up early. 

In fact, there’s something for everyone!

View ski holidays to Val d'Isère here

Taken at night, a view from the piste over the town and nursery slope with the mountains behind.

2. Meribel

600km of pistes - 335 runs (3 Valleys Ski Area)
Best for: People who love a chalet holiday and families

Another of the best ski resorts in France, Méribel was famously founded by a Brit – Peter Lindsay –  in 1938 and has remained popular with Brits and many other skiers ever since.

With access to the massive 3 Valleys ski area and its 600 km of pistes (the largest linked ski area in the world by the way), the skiing in Méribel alone is expansive with 150 kms to explore. 

It boasts an impressive lift system and excellent piste maintenance.

It may not have the glitz and glamour of Courchevel, but the culinary offerings in Méribel are second to very few ski resorts. Enjoy the atmosphere of the chalet-style architecture, and if you’re looking for an après bar, you’ll want to head to Ronnie’s, a firm favourite among all those who visit Méribel.

View ski holidays to Méribel here

Snowboarders in the foreground riding past chalets with tree-lined runs and snowy mountains in the distance.

3. La Plagne

425km of pistes - 260 runs Paradiski Ski Area
Best for: 11 small villages means there's something for everyone

Another top French ski resort, La Plagne is made up of eleven villages, each with a different atmosphere – watch the sunset over Mont Blanc in Aime la Plagne or if you're new to skiing or travelling with your family, Montchavin might be more suited with its sledge area and snow garden. If you're after a lively scene, then Belle Plagne or Plagne Centre will be perfect for you with some excellent bars and late-night clubs. La Plagne makes up half of the Paradiski ski area, which together offers over 400 km of pistes to explore. Another big plus of La Plagne is that 70% of the slopes are above 2000 m so snow conditions can be relied on here.

La Plagne is particularly good for intermediates, and for experts there are huge areas of off-piste which doesn’t get skied too quickly. 

View ski holidays to La Plagne

A low-rise village of wooden buildings with snowy pistes in the foreground and peaks at the rear.

4. Les Deux Alpes

220km of pistes - 85 runs
Best for: Beginners, Intermediates & après enthusiasts

Les Deux Alpes is home to the largest skiable glacier in Europe, making it easily one of the best French ski resorts, and at 3,600 m you are always sure to find good snow up there. 

You can also ski from the very top all the way down to 1,300 m, but we’d certainly recommend stopping at points to enjoy the views and allow your legs to recover! You might be surprised when you first arrive and look at the piste map as it appears to be upside down as all the beginner runs are near the top, while the steep reds and black and mainly down into town! 

But don’t fret beginners can also ski down on a gentle green.

In fact, the mountain here is tall and narrow, offering a splendid Alpine feel.   

This friendly resort has a fantastic selection of affordable hotels and lively après bars.

View ski holidays to Les Deux Alpes

Busy resort centre shown in the shadow of the mountain, and in the foreground a couple of skiers on a piste.

5. Val Thorens

600km of pistes - 335 runs (3 Valleys Ski Area)
Best for: Early and late-season skiers

Top of many lists of the most popular French Alps ski resorts, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe (2,300m high) and part of the massive 3 Valleys ski area, you’ll have access to some of the best skiing in France. 

Val Thorens is particularly popular in the early months of the season and towards the end due to its great snow history. If you really want to challenge yourself, head to Cime de Caron and La Masse for the difficult mogul fields.

In fact there are extensive slopes for all abilities and the fastest lift system in France. 

There is a decent range of hotels and some very smart apartments waiting for you.

With close to 40 bars across the resort, Val Thorens is a party animal’s paradise, but if that’s not your thing, don’t be put off, there are numerous restaurants in the resort.

View ski holidays to Val Thorens

Rolling snowy hills with a 4-person chair lift ascending on a slightly cloudy day.

6. Les Gets

650km of pistes - 214 runs (Portes du Soleil Ski Area)
Best for: Weekend/Short Ski Breaks & families

With access to the massive Portes du Soleil ski area, you’ll be able to ski in France and Switzerland on your ski holiday to Les Gets. It’s easily one of best French ski resorts. But what really sets this resort apart from many others and why it’s in our top 10 is its proximity to Geneva airport – it’s less than a 90-minute transfer – what more could you want at the start or end of your trip?

The resort itself is full of character, growing from a 12th-century farming village. It has maintained that original charm that some of the more modern French resorts lack. 

Known as a family-friendly resort, there are usually few queues or crowds here. 

Typical Savoyard shops and traditional-style chalets and hotels only help to maintain the rustic and picturesque resort today.

View ski holidays to Les Gets here

Lots of pine trees with a smattering of snow with a dramatic mountain ridge behind.

7. La Rosière

152km of pistes - 80 runs
Best for: Quiet slopes and great value accommodation

Despite being quite a new resort compared with others on our list of ski resorts, (built in the 1950s), don’t let that put you off considering this as a great place to ski, the vast majority of the buildings were built with locally-sourced materials. Being a smaller village also means that most accommodation is located very close to the slope, but the biggest plus is that there is a relatively low number of hotels here meaning that the slopes are rarely busy. In 2019, over £10m was invested into La Rosière and the surrounding area, including several new ski lifts and 5 new red runs, so if you’ve visited before 2019 it’s definitely worth returning.

There’s everything from good beginner slopes to heli-skiing from over in Italy, and for everyone, there is a fair-sized area of slopes when you include linked La Thuile in Italy. 

Another strong recommendation for families, Les Gets is a pleasant, friendly resort in a sunny setting. 

View ski holidays to La Rosière here

Looking out over low cloud and the mountains from a resort building with a line of cars in the foreground.

8. Alpe d’Huez

249km of pistes - 135 runs
Best for: Beginners and Advanced skiers and snowboarders

Alpe d’Huez is the perfect resort for Beginners and Advanced skiers alike and is well worthy of its place on our top ten French skiing resorts list. 

Newbies will enjoy having the pick of the largest selection of beginner slopes in the whole of the Alps, including some fantastic long and wide pistes. Experts can explore over 60 km of black runs alone, including the longest black run in Europe – La Sarenne (which is a whopping 16 km long). With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year and skiing up to 3,600 m, it’s easy to see why Alpe d’Huez has made it onto our top 10 list for ski resorts in France. 

Part of its popularity is the efficient access ski lifts from the villages.

Oh, and it’s also got a nightclub called l’Igloo (shame about the spelling).

View ski holidays to Alpe d’Huez here

Red sky and night over the low-rise village with everything snow-covered.

9. Morzine

650km of pistes - 214 runs (Portes du Soleil Ski Area)
Best for: People after a huge ski area and excellent value for money

Located in the centre of the gigantic Portes du Soleil ski area, is the traditional town of Morzine. Being based here means you’ll be able to ski in both France and Switzerland on the same day as well as benefit from a short transfer time from Geneva. The resort is full of traditional catered chalets and an historical town centre, including a 19th century church. If the prospect of over 600 km of skiing is too much, the local pass still gives you access to 120 km of pistes which is perfect for beginners or visitors looking to enjoy the many bars, shops and restaurants in town. It’s easy to see why so many think this is one of the best ski resorts in France.

View ski holidays to Morzine here

Signpost with orange base pointing to ski resorts, trees and mountains in the background.

10. Chamonix

150km of pistes - 74 runs
Best for: Everyone, beginners to expert skiers and party animals

Chamonix hosted the very first Winter Olympics in 1924 and is located a mere 90 minutes from Geneva, making it perfect for those looking for a short break ski holiday, though a full week is even better!

On top of the lively town, with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, the views of Mont Blanc will have you wanting to stay for days! We absolutely love the pedestrianised centre as well. Off-piste skiing is fantastic here and each season the Free Ride World Tour stops here – we wouldn’t recommend copying their lines. There's plenty of skiing for one week but there's also the possibility to ski in Italy, with a short drive over to Courmayeur where you’ll find good value meals on the mountain.

View ski holidays to Chamonix here

Daring off-piste skier and boarder walking to the first descent of the day at the top of the mountains.

Discover more about ski resorts in France here.