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Best resorts in France for an early-season December ski trip

long ski run in Val d'Isere overlooking the town

Val d'Isère is a fantastic choice to get some skiing in early in the season - although there are plenty more options

An early-season ski trip in December can be a fantastic option for those looking to avoid peak dates.

Not only is snow cover usually pretty good on the slopes (made all the more reliable by the presence of snow cannons at almost every major resort nowadays), but the slopes also tend to be far less crowded, meaning there’s plenty of space to enjoy.

You’ll also appreciate the weather - early December still tends to get some sunny days before winter really kicks in during January and February, making for some lovely scenes on sun terraces.

You’ll also find most resorts put on lift pass discounts in the opening weeks of their season, meaning it’s a great way to save money.

Finally, there’s a unique buzz in the resort as the season kicks into gear, with excitable seasonaires bouncing around with anticipation - it really is an attractive time to ski.

Keep reading to discover the best early-season ski resorts in France. To clarify, this guide isn’t about Christmas - have a read of our top resorts in France for a Christmas ski trip if that’s what you want to learn about.

 

READ MORE: Keen on France, but need more? Have a look at our best après-ski resorts in France.

 

 

According to our research, the top French resorts for an early-season December ski holiday are:

  1. Val d'Isère

  2. Val Thorens

  3. Les Deux Alpes

  4. Alpe d'Huez

  5. Tignes

  6. Méribel

  7. Courchevel

  8. La Plagne

  9. Les Arcs

 

You can compare the stats for each resort in the table below:

Resort Average snow per week Average snow days per week 2024-25 opening date Average sunny days per week Early-season lift pass discount
Val d'Isère 39cm 3.2 November 30 1.8 €60 / €54 (depending on ski area chosen)
Val Thorens 35cm 3 November 23 2

€34 / €39.50

Les Deux Alpes 42cm 3 November 30 1.7 €86.40 / €70.20 / €54
Alpe d'Huez 39cm 3 November 30 1.2 €115 / €32
Tignes 37cm 3.2 December 3 1.7 €60
Méribel 35cm 3.1 December 7 1.1 €39.50
Courchevel 32cm 3.1 December 7 1 €39.50
La Plagne 35cm 3.1 December 14 1.3 €58 / €52
Les Arcs 39cm 3.2 December 14 1.4 €58 / €52

 

1. Val d'Isère

Average amount of snow per week: 39cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3.2
Opening date for 2024-25 season: November 30
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1.8
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €60 or €54 (explanation below)
 

Pretty Val d’Isère (pictured above) is a no-brainer for an early-season ski trip. It opens its doors very early for skiers and has had very good snowfall levels in previous Decembers.

It’s part of the popular Espace Killy ski area, which combines Val d’Isère with neighbouring Tignes - another fantastic resort which we’ll get into more soon. The combined area has over 300km of slopes, of which 137km are technically Val d’Isère’s.

Along with its opening date, a major pull is the savings you can make from its lift pass deal. November 30th to December 20th is known as the “early access” period, in which lift passes are much cheaper than the rest of the season.

A 6-day adult lift pass in the Espace Killy (which in fact gives you a 7th day for free, too) costs €366 before December 20th. After this it costs €426, right through to the end of the season.

That being said, the Tignes side of the Espace Killy doesn’t open until the 3rd of December, meaning if you go away before that date, you’ll have to stay in the Val d’Isère side, at least until the Tignes side opens.

Val d’Isère local lift passes are sold by the day, and are €57 from November 30th to December 20th, compared to €66 from December 21st onwards - so still a sizeable €54 discount if you buy 6 single-day lift passes.

To top it all off, you should receive some nice sunshine for the equivalent of almost 2 days while you’re out there, if the past few years are anything to go by.

Iglu Ski team member, Aimee, spent several days in Val d’Isere from 2nd December 2024: “The pistes were all in really good condition, we had some fresh snow while we were out there, and they had the snow cannons topping up the base layer, too.

“The pistes were quiet, the resort still had a really nice atmosphere, bars and restaurants were open - I had a really great time!”  

 



 

2. Val Thorens

Average amount of snow per week: 35cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3
Opening date for 2024-25 season: November 23
Average amount of sunny days per week: 2
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €34 or €39.50
 

A similarly strong choice, Val Thorens opens even earlier than Val d’Isère - way back on November 23rd for the 2024-25 season.

It’s one of the main resorts in the 3 Valleys - the largest ski area on Earth - and offers a great variety in its local area. Courchevel and Méribel are the other 2 resorts in the 3 Valleys, and they each open on December 7th.

Until that date, it’ll just be the Val Thorens area you can explore, but it’s still got a substantial 150km of slopes serviced by 32 slick and efficient lifts. And when Courchevel and Méribel open, you’ll have a stunning 600km of piste to play with.

Lift passes are also much cheaper - from November 23rd to December 20th a 6-day, adult lift pass costs €306 for Val Thorens only, whereas after this date they are €340 all the way through to the end of the season, meaning you’ll save €34.

The 3 Valleys 6-day lift pass discount is also huge at €39.50 per adult up until the 20th December (€355.50 down from €395). But as we’ve said, this is only an option from December 7th onwards.

And again, you can expect the equivalent of at least a couple of days of sunshine if the past few seasons are to be repeated!

Iglu Ski team member, Gordon, spent some time in Val Thorens from the 3rd December 2024: “It may have been the very beginning of the season but the resort was fully up and running. Some lifts were still not open but that was fine and most if not all areas were accessible via other lifts including the link over to Méribel”.

View from slope near to Val Thorens town centre

Val Thorens won't let you down for early-season skiing - it's Europe's highest resort at 2,300m

 



 

3. Les Deux Alpes

Average amount of snow per week: 42cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3
Opening date for 2024-25 season: November 30
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1.7
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €86.40 or €70.20 or €54

 

Featuring on our list of France’s most snow-sure resorts, reliable Les Deux Alpes has 96 ski runs spanning a vast 220km of slope, and also has a glacier which is ideal for easy cruises.

It receives plenty of snowfall (second only to Chamonix when it comes to French resorts) and has at least 3 days a week where it’ll be snowing - if previous years remain the same.

One of its biggest pulls is the early opening date of 30th November, and lift pass prices are cheaper in the 3 weeks leading up to the 21st of December compared to the rest of the season - although concentrate here, as each of those 3 weeks has a different price.

The bulk of the season would cost you €340 for a 6-day pass (up to €359.40 during school holidays), whereas the very first week of the season costs just €273, meaning you’ll save a massive €86.40. The second of the week of the season comes to €289.20, and the third is €305.40.

And you should get close to 2 days’ worth of sunny weather during your stay!

  



 

4. Alpe d’Huez

Average amount of snow per week: 39cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3
Opening date for 2024-25 season: November 30
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1.2
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €115 or €32

 

Another very snow-sure resort with an average 39cm of snowfall per week, Alpe d’Huez is a varied and extensive ski resort with a whopping 250km of slopes to explore.

As well as the likely 3 days of snowfall you’ll get while you’re away, you might also get a nice day of sunshine.

Meanwhile, Alpe d’Huez is the last on our list with an opening date that early, with some big savings to be had on early-season lift passes.

You can knock an insane €115 off the usual €320 price for a 6-day lift pass if you book in the first week of Alpe d’Huez’s season. The second week of the season will also save you €32.50 for a 6-day lift pass.

View from slopes surrounding Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez is another brilliant option - and it could save you €115 for a lift pass!

 



 

5. Tignes

Average amount of snow per week: 37cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3.2
Opening date for 2024-25 season: December 3
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1.7
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €60

 

Tignes makes up the other half of the Espace Killy ski area, alongside Val d’Isère. It opens slightly later than Val d’Isère - hence the lower ranking - but has very similar benefits aside from that.

With an almost equally strong snow record, the combination of the two resorts opens up more than 300km of skiing, connected by one of the world’s best lift infrastructures.

The Espace Killy lift pass discounts are the same as in Val d’Isère - you’ll save €60 for a 6-day lift pass compared to if you went after the 21st December (€366 compared to €426).

You can also stick to just the local Tignes area if you’d prefer. Many beginners do this, and before the 21st December it costs €56 each day (local passes are only sold by the day), compared to €66 after the 21st December. If you get six of these, you’ll also be saving €60.

Iglu Ski team member, Henry, went to Tignes in December 2024: “I was in Tignes from the 10th to the 14th of December 2024 and I loved it. All but a few slopes were open thanks to the strong snow conditions, and they were all lovely to ski on with the snow cannons also enhancing them.

“The off-piste wasn’t as accessible as you’d find in the middle of the season when there’s even more snow, but there was definitely enough off-piste to keep me entertained. The quietness of the slopes compared to peak season was probably the best part of my trip, while it was also fun to experience the excitement of a new season beginning to get going.”

 



 

6. Méribel

Average amount of snow per week: 35cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3.1
Opening date for 2024-25 season: December 7
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1.1
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €39.50

 

A charming resort with plenty of beautiful chalets, Méribel is another reliable pick for some early-season skiing. Part of the 3 Valleys ski area, staying here will give you instant access into a mindboggling 600km-plus of skiing, with the other main resorts being Val Thorens and Courchevel.

It opens a week after the resorts mentioned above and has similarly strong snow statistics.

As for a lift pass discount, a 6-day lift pass in the 3 Valleys from the 7th to 20th December costs €355.50, compared to €395 from 20th December to 12th April.

Very high-altitude spot in Meribel ski area

Méribel is part of the insanely large 3 Valleys ski area - you won't run out of skiing 

 



 

7. Courchevel

Average amount of snow per week: 32cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3.1
Opening date for 2024-25 season: December 7
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €39.50

 

The other main resort in the 3 Valleys ski area, Courchevel has a similarly strong snow record and opens at the same time as Méribel, meaning you’ll be able to explore the 600km-plus of terrain that the 3 Valleys has to offer.

It’s a resort full of many different villages that don’t all have the same glitzy, celebrity reputation that is really only reserved for Courchevel’s main village, Courchevel 1850. Courchevel 1650 is where you’ll find most of the après-ski, while Courchevel Village (1550) and Le Praz (1300) are more peaceful alternatives to stay.

As with Méribel, you can save €39.50 per person for a 6-day lift pass for the 3 Valleys if your holiday ends before the 20th December.

 



  

8. La Plagne

Average amount of snow per week: 35cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3.1
Opening date for 2024-25 season: December 14
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1.3
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €58 or €52

 

La Plagne is a great high-altitude resort with unrivalled access to the extensive Paradiski ski area - France’s 3rd largest - which it shares with Les Arcs. At an average of 35cm per week in December, snowfall is very strong, and you can expect a magical 3 snowy days during your stay.

While it opens a week after the 3 Valleys, it’s still a great option if the dates work for you. If you want a full Paradiski lift pass, you’ll save €58 if you visit in the opening week, compared to the rest of the season.

A similar discount of €52 is applied if you want a local La Plagne lift pass.

Bumpy run with trees in La Plagne ski area

La Plagne has some fun bumps and tree runs which you can enjoy in December

 



 

9. Les Arcs

Average amount of snow per week: 39cm
Average number of snow days per week: 3.2
Opening date for 2024-25 season: December 14
Average amount of sunny days per week: 1.4
Early lift pass discount (adult 6-day pass): €58 or €52

 

Much the same as its sibling resort La Plagne, Les Arcs is one half of the Paradiski area and has very similar snowfall and sun statistics.

You’ll also find the two resorts open on the same day, while the differences between prices in the first week of the season and the rest of the season (except the final week) are the same as La Plagne - €52 saved if you buy the local Les Arcs 6-day lift pass, and €58 for the Paradiski equivalent.

 



 

Special mention to: Portes du Soleil

The Portes du Soleil ski area - France’s second biggest - has told us that it put discounts on lift pass prices for the previous two seasons, and while it told us it currently has no plans to do so for the 2025-26 season, this may change depending on weather conditions - so keep your eyes peeled.

The area’s main two resorts are Morzine and Avoriaz, while others include Les Gets, Châtel and Champéry. While Avoriaz opened on the 13th December 2024, Morzine only properly opened on the 21st. Avoriaz is located 800m up from Morzine, and has its own special microclimate which helps it open earlier.

 

Discover the wonders of early-season with Iglu Ski

 

If an early-December ski trip sounds perfect to you, then let us help you out.

We’re the UK’s largest ski travel agency and have been finding people their perfect skiing holidays for more than 26 years now. We’ve all done seasons in the mountains and we really are experts - ask us anything, from resort choices to lift pass and equipment advice, we’ll help you out.

Have a look at our best December ski holiday deals, and if you need help don’t hesitate to give us a call on 020 3848 3700 - or leave an enquiry and we’ll get back to you quickly.

And if you’ve been left in charge of sorting out a group holiday but you’re feeling flustered, have a read of our group holiday booking guide - it might just make your life a bit easier.