Ski areas in France

Best ski areas in France

France has long been considered the home of skiing. With so many top ski resorts on offer across multiple ski areas, it's hard to decide where your next ski holiday should be in this fantastic country.

Offering a traditional French environment, and in some areas, influenced by countries such as Switzerland or Italy.

With a total of 18 resorts across 5 ski areas, you can easily visit France again and again and always find that new special place to ski or snowboard.

Best French ski areas

• Ski area - Tinges & Val d'Isere 300km
• Resorts - Tignes and Val d'Isere
• Length of blue runs - 170km
• Length of red runs - 78km
• Length of black runs - 52km
• Snowparks - 2

Inghams top tip - Tignes & Val d’Isere ski area is ideal for those seeking out the fun side to skiing and snowboarding. With a snowpark, easy park, boardercross course, 9 slalom courses and a mogul field - you will never get bored.

The area:

Tignes and Val d’Isere are great for beginner skiers and family skiers as the area offers so much more than just the ski slopes so you can take part in the sport but also discover this beautiful area of France.

Soak up the sights from the impressive Tignes Dam to the stunning Tignes Glacier. Venture over to TignesSpace, an impressive indoor sports centre for an afternoon of activities or enjoy some après at the famous Folie Douce bar.

The resorts are based in the Tarentaise Valley and are both easily connected via a shuttle bus (or of course the ski lifts). The area has been a ‘ski destination’ since the early 1930’s and is popular with the French as well as tourists from abroad, going on to host the Downhill Skiing World Cup and being part of the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Visit La Daille's forest, where you will find Le Village Perdu, a new sustainably built area where you will find hideaways, overhanging footbridges and walkways in the trees - a great adventure for children.

The skiing:

Tignes and Val d’Isere ski area is considered a reliable French spot for skiers. Families and beginner skiers enjoy the area due to the vast amount of blue runs designed across secure slopes to help build confidence.

In general there are lots of wide, long runs in this area, so building up your skills over the course of a week is certainly achievable.

Tinges offers fast ski lifts with a lot of its accommodation being ski-in ski-out and Val d’Isere has fantastic ski schools plus a free beginners ski lift at the centre of the resort.

Highlighted resort of Tignes & Val d'Isere:

Val d’Isere is the older of the 2 resorts here and certainly offers more charm due to that, with a more traditional resort centre.

There are plenty of French restaurants as well so you can immerse yourself in the French way of life, including some quality bakeries for those all important croissants in the morning.

There are a great selection of accommodation options here, from 5* hotels, cosy chalets to home from home apartments - Residence Izia is certainly worth a stay, being a ski-in ski-out location, showcasing a relaxing spa and pool area and offering well equipped kitchens in each apartment.

Paradiski - best for intermediates

• Ski area - Paradiski 425km
• Resorts - Les Arcs and La Plagne
• Length of blue runs - 243km
• Length of red runs - 129km
• Length of black runs - 53km
• Snowparks - 4

Inghams top tip - You must try Les Sources run from La Plagne, it is a 4km run that starts at the top of the Roche de Mio and leads down into Belle Plagne. There is just one steep section (which is what classifies the run as a red) but the majority of it is like a blue run.

The area:

The town of Bourg Saint Maurice is full of roman history and influence, it's worth a day visit - with its bustling streets and quaint shops and cafes.

If you want a rest day from skiing or snowboarding, you can still get the double-decker cable car, Vanoise Express, that links Les Arcs and La Plagne to explore both resorts' mountain views. Try and spot some Ibex as you glide over Vanoise National park in the cable car.

For an extra special adventure, head over to the Igloo Village with Ice Grottos, an Ice Bar and of course some igloos where you can par-take in a traditional fondue dinner.

The skiing:

One of the world's largest ski resorts, Paradiski is an intermediate skier's perfect destination. With long, wide open runs and almost a total of 300 blue and red runs combined. The ideal place for practice and improving.

La Plagne slopes are 80% blue and red, meaning intermediates (and beginners) can almost explore the whole area. You must try the Mont Blanc blue run, mainly to take in the views as you glide your way down.
Les Arcs is accessible but also diverse, giving intermediate skiers a chance to improve their skills. It’s worth taking the Grizzly 68 chair lift which leads up to a great criss-cross of blue and red runs.

Highlighted resort of Paradiski:

Les Arcs is a purpose built ski resort, meaning everything you would need for a perfect week of skiing or snowboarding is right on your doorstep.

Classic dishes such as fondue and tartiflette can be found in many of the cafes and restaurants that are across three villages.

You can choose which village to stay in, we recommend a stay at the 5 star rated Taj-i Mah Hotel in the village Arc 2000. With high-end furnishings, a top rated bar and lounge and the perfect location, with ski-in ski-out.

Three Valleys - best for all abilities

• Ski area - Three Valleys 600km
• Resorts - Meribel, Val Thorens, Courchevel and Les Menuires
• Length of blue runs - 312km
• Length of red runs - 216km
• Length of black runs - 72km
• Snowparks - 6

Inghams top tip - Avoid the crowds and enjoy a beautiful, scenic run. A blue run, so available to all, starting at Piste des Animaux down to Clos Bernard restaurant for a hot chocolate. Though be sure to take your piste map as it’s a bit of a hidden track.

The area:

The Three Valleys ski area offers lots of culture - the villages are typical French in design with churches, narrow streets and lots of bakeries and cheese shops.
If you like cheese, then the Three Valleys is for you - with a wide selection available here, nearly all restaurants and cafes will have cheese in some form on the menu, from platters to fondue.

There is a big art scene in this area as well, you can visit the open-air sculptures near Courchevel, each year celebrating particular artists. You will also find lots of wonderful hand-painted interiors in many of the Baroque period churches and chapels.

The skiing:

One the world's largest ski areas, Three Valleys have something for everyone and therefore is perfect for any level skier or snowboarder.

All the resorts boast excellent family / beginner areas. There are plenty of blue and red runs for those building up their skills and for advanced skiers, you certainly won't get bored here for a week with an impressive 30 black runs to try.

There are some well maintained snowparks as well, so you can improve those jumps throughout the week.

Highlighted resort of the Three Valleys:

Meribel is a lovely resort, with plenty of off-slope activities such as snowmobiling or bowling. You must try the Chalets Gondola Lift at night - not only for the amazing night time views, but also to give you a chance to dine out at one of the mountain restaurants.

There are plenty of places to stay in Meribel, but perhaps treat yourself to chalet service and stay at the Chalet L'Ancolie. This traditional style chalet comes equipped with a heated boot room, sauna and is across the road from the free shuttle bus stop. With breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner included in your stay, you can fully relax.

Portes du Soleil - best for snowboarders

• Ski area - Portes du Soleil 600km
• Resorts - Morzine and Avoriaz
• Length of blue runs - 310km
• Length of red runs - 210km
• Length of black runs - 60km
• Snowparks - 30

Inghams top tip - If you have the time, as a snowboarder you must visit The Smoothpark in Châtel. Its said to be the most stunning and most fun park in Portes du Soleil.

The area:

The ski area of Portes du Soleil sits on the Swiss border, so you will find some influence in the food and general culture of this area.
Portes du Soleil is known for its strong rural traditions and customs, its worth visiting some of the museums or heritage sites.
If you have time, set off on a ‘cani-rando’ experience with the local Inuit people and sled-dogs or perhaps just enjoy a leisurely afternoon going sledding or ice skating. Either way, there are lots of off-slope activities to enjoy.

The skiing:

Portes du Soleil is the place to be if you are an avid snowboarder, with around 30 snow parks in total, varying in size and offering - the adventures to be had can easily exceed a week.

From selected ‘baby parks’ for beginners such as Snowpark de la Chappelle, all the way up to large parks that include man-made and natural features such as Snowpark Arare or The Stash.

There are plenty ski slopes ranging from blue to red, meaning Portes du Soleil will suit all skiers. Not to forget, you can also ski over to Switzerland with most of the standard ski passes.

Highlighted resort of the Portes du Soleil:

Morzine is a picture perfect French resort, with a town square that leads you off to the many cafes and tourist boutiques. A fantastic suspension bridge crosses from the town which is worth a walk across to take in the views.

There are some charming hotels here and we would suggest for a warm welcome, to stay at the Hotel Les Champs Fleuris. It is close to the resort centre, has fantastic spa facilities and is a short walk to the closest Gondola station.

Milky Way - best for advanced

• Ski area - Milky Way 400km
• Resorts - Montgenevre
• Length of blue runs - 95km
• Length of red runs - 218km
• Length of black runs - 87km
• Snowparks - 7

Inghams top tip - The Milky Way ski area has some of the best off-piste terrain in the whole of Europe and is great for talented skiers.

The area:

Mostly high altitude resorts, but due to the location, usually one of the more sunnier spots when it comes to French ski areas, the Milky Way has a lot to offer.
Covering both Italy and France, the Milky Way offers the best of both worlds - top quality French skiing and delicious italian influenced cuisine.
With lots of restaurants and cafes to choose from at all budget levels, the resorts here are friendly, charming and great for those wanting a relaxing skiing holiday that is just as much about quality food, local drinks and unwinding as it is about hitting the slopes every day.

The skiing:

Around 40 black runs makes the Milky Way ski area the number one destination for skilled skiers and snowboarders.
With the correct ski pass so that you can access all of the Milky Way ski area, you can enjoy 114 Black pistes. If you are brave, skilled and up for a challenge, try the Mount Sises World Cup and World Championships giant slalom course.

If you are skiing with family and friends that aren’t quite at the same level, then don’t worry - there are over 150 blue and red runs, including well maintained beginner areas, so no one will feel left out on improving their ski skills.

Highlighted resort of the Three Valleys:

Montgenèvre is one of the slightly quieter resorts, so perfect if you want to wander around the town at ease, have cosy dinners with a view or spend some time relaxing at your accommodations spa area.

There are plenty of places for a ‘sit and socialise’ vibe in the afternoons and evenings as opposed to overcrowded bars with queues.

Stay somewhere like the Hotel Chalet Blanc, with a ski lift next door, a short walk to the centre but far enough you can take in mountain views as opposed to building views.