French resorts
French ski resorts are superlative in the range and variety accommodation they offer; self catering apartments through to five star catered chalets in traditional charming Savoyard villages or modern slope-side ski in/ski out purpose built resorts. Chalet skiing in France also caters for all budgets and both skiers and snowboarders alike. There are plenty of challenges for the adventurous, resorts with great Apres ski for those that enjoy a vibrant nightlife and perfect spots with activities geared towards families, with resorts varying in ambience and facilities. Ski in iconic resorts like Meribel, Val d'Isere, Courchevel and Chamonix... and now even the more purpose built resorts have undergone extensive redevelopment to bring some of the less attractive apartment structures back in harmony with their environment. The draw of skiing France for the British is evident with more than half the average skier's lifetime of ski holidays taken here. It's also easy/quick/cheap to get to and we (sort of) know the language.
5 star ski chalets in France
skiing in France
France offers great skiing with interlinked ski areas that group the more than 300 resorts. The French Alps on the Italian and Swiss borders offer the broadest variety and the most extensive skiing. There are more resorts in the Midi Pyrenees in the border with Andorra.
Concentrating on the Alpine region the most popular French skiing areas are the 3 Valleys, les Portes du Soleil, Paradiski, Chamonix- Evasion Mont-Blanc region and the Espace Killy. Due to the height of most of the resorts, France offers one of the longest skiing seasons, lasting from the late Autumn through to the beginning of May in some places.
The 3 Valleys covers the major resorts of Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens and the smaller ones in between as well as the spa town lower down in the valley, Brides les Bain. The Three Valleys ski area is the largest linked terrain in the world. More than 600km of pistes, 338 slopes serviced by 183 lifts make this ski region more than a match for the most experienced and demanding of skiers, but still caters perfectly for those new to the sport. The high altitude and presence of about 2000 snow cannons ensure a good number of slopes are open throughout the long season.
The northern most part of the French Alps plays host to the Les Portes du Soleil ski area. The biggest resorts included in this area are Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets and Chatel. As well as some other smaller resorts the ski pass also include a number of Swiss resorts, notably Champery, so that you can spend the morning skiing from France to have lunch in Switzerland! Covering more than 650kms of slopes there is a variety and choice for all levels of skiers and a great selection of facilities for boarders especially in Avoriaz.
The Paradiski Ski Area is one of the most modern of the ski areas, comprising of the multilevel resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs, with skiing up to 3250m it is also one of the most reliable as far snow conditions go. Connecting with some of their smaller neighbours these resorts linkup to offer 238 pistes, covering 425km , and a number of snowparks.
The Espace Killy is known worldwide for the challenging and extensive skiing that its 300km of terrain offers. Linking the two fabulous resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isere and the smaller ones in the area, this ski area provides plenty of enjoyment and challenges on the abundance of perfectly groomed, interconnected pistes.
Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, encompasses a three main areas in the Chamonix Valley and Evasion Mont Blanc Area, combines 420 km of slopes which includes the major resorts of Megeve, Combloux and Saint Gervais
Also very popular is Alpe d'Heuz one of Europe's largest resort, a prime destination with great snowmaking facilities, impressive off-piste and is recorded as the resort with the most sunshine days. So too is Les 2 Alpes, with slopes up to 3570m and the Glacier du Mont de Lans, which is open for summer skiing. Les 2 Alpes is twinned with the off piste mecca of le Grave.