France offers many ski resorts located in different parts of the country - in the southeast, in the Rhone-Alpes region, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. The rest of the places are located in the Pyrenees region, near the border with Andorra.
220 ski resorts are waiting for ski lovers in France, there is really a huge selection of all kinds of winter skiing. Freeride is practiced in deep snow in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, the Alpine Skiing World Cup takes place in the Val d'Isère or on the 300 km of the 3 Valleys, cross-country skiers can ski on the slopes of Villars-de-Lance.
Many ski resorts have a long history. The oldest resort is Chamonix, where the first Olympic Games in France were held in 1924. This has become a fundamental point for the development of other resorts that offer much more than just a winter holiday.
The most famous ski resorts in France
Northern Alps
The best ski resorts in the world are located in the Northern Alps. There are first-class large and small ski stations. All places are interconnected by tracks and footpaths.
Tignes - for experienced skiers
The height of the slopes is from 1500 to 3500 meters (150 km). 155 tracks, of which:
- black - 26;
- red - 40;
- blue - 67;
- children's or green - 22.
The total number of lifts is 45. The approximate maximum amount per day is 43€. The tourist resort will appeal to lovers of freeride, ice diving, snowmobiling, paragliding. Also in your free time you can do heli-skiing, ice climbing, speed riding. Ski holidays in Tignes offer tourists numerous opportunities for holidays in France: cinemas, hotels, restaurants, playgrounds, clubs, shops, indoor pools.
Val D'isère is the best
The length of the tracks is from 1550 to 3450 meters. Number of tracks - 154, of which:
- green - 20;
- blue - 67;
- red - 41;
- black - 26.
Lifts - 79. Estimated maximum amount per day - 49 €. WITH long stories, extraordinary slopes and exceptional services, Val d'Isère is one of the best ski resorts in France.
Courchevel - luxury holidays
The length of the tracks is from 1850 to 2740 meters. Number of tracks - 98, of which:
- green - 19;
- blue 37;
- red - 31;
- black - 8.
Lifts - 87. Estimated maximum amount per day - 70 €. Courchevel is a place where people who appreciate quality holidays in an elite setting meet.
Southern Alps
The meeting of the Alps and the Mediterranean climate gives these places a special character with a southern accent. Here, all modern ski resorts are located near the charming little old villages of France.
Auron - democratic rest
The length of the tracks is from 1600 to 2450 meters (135 km). Number of tracks - 42, of which:
- black - 8;
- red - 16;
- blue - 16;
- green - 2.
The total number of lifts is 11. Auron is located near Nice and its international airport. It is located in the heart of four French ski resorts that offer a variety of ski slopes of excellent quality.
Pyrenees
A natural border between France, Spain, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the Pyrenees are an array of contrasts. In the villages there are the most modern, but accessible to most tourists, ski resorts.
Ax-les-Termes - for lovers of flat skiing
The length of the tracks is from 1400 to 2400 meters (80 km). Number of tracks - 35, of which:
- black - 6;
- red - 10;
- blue - 10;
- green - 9.
The total number of lifts is 17. The resort of France offers a snow park and gentle slopes of Bonascre and Baggins.
central massif
The Massif Central has everything you need for winter sports - cross-country skiing, dog sledding, paragliding, not to mention the gastronomic diversity and the natural and architectural heritage of France.
Mon-dor - universal
The length of the tracks is from 1200 to 1840 meters (41 km). Number of tracks - 31, of which:
- black - 1;
- red - 6;
- blue - 8;
- green - 16.
Total number of lifts - 15. Approximate price max - 30€. The resort is suitable for beginners and experienced skiers, they will teach you how to choose ski equipment, offer sledding, skijoring, ice climbing, mountain hiking.
Vosges
The resort of the Vosges in France juts out over vast forests and lakes, miles of trails and snow, and offers excellent skiing. There are especially many family stations here.
Saint Maurice - for lovers of cross-country
The length of the tracks is from 1100 to 1250 meters (23 km). Number of tracks - 11, of which:
- black - 1;
- red - 2;
- blue - 3;
- green - 5.
The total number of lifts - 5. Estimated price max - 19.5€. An ideal place for a healthy holiday.
Val Thorens is located at an altitude of 2300 meters and is considered the highest ski resort in Europe. There is always a lot of snow here, and skiing safety is ensured by a special Gaz-ex anti-avalanche system. The "black" and "red" slopes of Val Thorens are located in the areas of Sims de Caron, Lac du Loup and La Mas, and in Pointe de Torrance lovers of freeride will find excellent virgin fields. Snowboarders will enjoy the fun park in the Plateau sector with unusual modules and special tracks for competitions. The resort also has slopes for those who are just starting to ski.
In addition, Val Thorens has a 6-kilometer toboggan run, a snow and ice track for cars, a large sports complex, the best disco in France Underground and many wonderful places for après-ski.
Photo gallery of Val Thorens resort
Les Menuires is a family resort and a paradise for beginners, most of the slopes here are for those who are starting to ski or want to improve their skills. It doesn't take long to get from hotels and apartments to the slopes, they start right outside the threshold.
In Les Menuires there are also slopes for professionals, they are located on the slopes of Mont de la Chambre, and for snowboarders in the same area there is an excellent fun park. Les Menuires offers beginner skiers a special ski area with an area of about 5000 square meters. m and a conveyor lift. The village has a sports center with aqua club, kids club, restaurants and bars.
Photo gallery of Les Menuires
Meribel is a great family ski resort. It is located in the center of the Three Valleys region and consists of three villages. This place is perfect for those who are just learning winter mountain sports or want to put children on skis. Wide pistes in the Altiport and Rond-Point areas and a free ski lift for beginners will help any tourist to join the charm of skiing. However, Méribel also has steep slopes for professional athletes, for example, the La Fas Olympic women's slope or the descent to Combes-du-Valon. Meribel will delight snowboarders as well – there are two special areas here, the Plader Snowpark and the Arpasson Moonpark. In the first, a 650-meter obstacle course, a half-pipe and a baby pipe are open for snowboarders, and in the second, a kilometer-long obstacle course and two half-pipes.
Meribel has a sports complex, bowling, cinemas and nightclubs. The resort restaurants are usually open after 17:00. Fans of parties and noisy parties can recommend the village of Mottare, where there are many discos, bars and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of Meribel resort
Brides-les-Bains is a superbly located ski resort with ideal access to the 3 Valleys. The Olympus direct cable car will take skiers and snowboarders to Méribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel. The town was built for the 1992 Olympic Games and offers budget accommodation at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level.
The total area of the slopes of the resort is 77 km, there are 58 lifts with a capacity of 64 thousand people per hour. There are two fan parks for snowboarders and 33 km of ski tracks for cross-country skiers.
In Brides-les-Bains, you can not only have a great ride, but also improve your health, there is a large wellness center with thermal springs.
Val d'Isère is one of the most sporting resorts in the French Alps. Every year in November, the first starts of the World Cup are held here, in 1992 the resort hosted the Winter Olympics, in 2009 - the Alpine Skiing World Championship. The sports tracks located in the Bellevard area are open to all comers in the afternoon. At the same time, Val d'Isere has special ski areas for beginners, as well as excellent ski schools, where they will teach everything necessary for both children and adults. The resort guests have at their disposal a well-thought-out system of lifts that connects the Val d'Isère with all ski areas, and 150 km of well-prepared pistes, including 12 green, 24 blue, 28 red and 15 black slopes. Iseras are known for their diversity, the height difference reaches 1300 m.
Three ski areas: Bellevard, Soleis and Col de Liseran offer sports enthusiasts a variety of pistes. There are freeride areas, sports slopes, difficult black runs and magnificent panoramic slopes that will not leave you indifferent. The snowpark Val d'Isère is located in the Bellevard area. The resort is famous for its beautiful architectural appearance, an excellent selection of comfortable hotels and apartments and excellent restaurants. Outdoor skating rink, aquatic center, night club, many restaurants and cafes will allow you to have a great time after skiing. Tourists can be sure that in Val d'Isère they will find a truly varied leisure.
Photo gallery of the Val d'Isère resort
Megeve is an excellent alpine resort where both skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of opportunities for interesting skiing. The city itself looks great with buildings in the Savoyard style. There are magnificent hotels, wonderful entertainment centers, restaurants and shops.
The resort offers its guests 222 pistes and is located in the center of the large Evasion-Mont-Blanc ski area, where there are about 445 km of marked pistes of various difficulty levels and 113 lifts. The ski season here lasts from December to April. The most interesting, beautiful and at the same time difficult slopes can be found in the areas of Mont-Joli and Mont-Jou. There is another section with "red" and "black" tracks in Kot-2000. Those who are not so confident in their abilities should pay attention to the descents in Mont-d'Arbois or Complus. Beginners will also find where to ride in Megeve, easy "green" and "blue" tracks can be found not only below the town, but also in all three ski areas.
Snowboarders will appreciate the slopes at Combloux-les-Jayers, as well as the boarder-piste-de-Fentin in Côte 2000 - Rochebrune. In addition to the Sports Palace with a swimming pool, saunas, a gym and a fitness center, Megeve has cinemas, a bowling center, an indoor Olympic skating rink and even a flying club. For lovers of evening entertainment, there are casinos, jazz and bridge clubs, discos and many boutiques. Magnificent views of Mont Blanc open from Mont Joly, and in Saint-Gervais you can swim in the thermal springs.
Megeve resort photo gallery
Courchevel is perhaps the most prestigious French resort, very popular with Russian tourists. A variety of slopes, a great choice of trails, beautiful virgin slopes - all this allows both beginners and experienced ski lovers to get a lot of pleasure from their holidays. The shopping and social life of Courchevel is amazing.
For beginners, the wide green and blue pistes in the Belcote and Pralonne ski areas are suitable. Those who are skiing and snowboarding with confidence should look at the beautiful forest slope of Bouc-Blanc and the "red" slopes in Marmot and Creux. Professionals will appreciate the "black" slopes of the Col de la Loze, Les Aval, Col du Pas du Lac, as well as the slopes from the Solire stations. TO alpine peaks tourists are lifted by 65 lifts. Courchevel has a snowpark, a halfpipe, plenty of snow cannons, and a 2km toboggan run. Indoor sports complex, bowling, fitness center, skating rink, concert hall and cinema, numerous discos, galleries and restaurants will not let you get bored after skiing.
The resort has more than 100 shops, where all the famous world brands are represented. The restaurants of Courchevel and its boutiques are designed for tourists with a high income. The nearest train station, Moutier Salines, is half an hour away from the resort.
Courchevel Village is a cozy family ski resort located at an altitude of 1550 m. Until 2013, it was better known as Courchevel 1550. It is a small Savoyard-style Alpine town with an economical hotel, excellent apartments and modern luxury chalets.
Two ski lifts connect Courchevel Village with the region's main ski areas. There is a ski school, a tourist information office, a rental office, restaurants, bars, a disco and an ice rink. The resort will appeal to family tourists and lovers of secluded relaxation, however, from here you can easily get to the noisier parts of Courchevel with famous restaurants, shops and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of Courchevel resort
The popular ski resort of Tignes is located at an altitude of 2100 m in the Espace Killy ski area. Spacious wide pistes, great freeride opportunities and a long season make it a great choice for skiers and snowboarders. The three ski areas of Tignes - Tignes-le-Lac, Val Claret and Lavache are connected by a system of lifts and are located next to a picturesque lake. On the Grand Motte glacier, the ski season opens in early October, in other areas - at the end of November and lasts until the first third of May.
Sports enthusiasts will find 76 pistes in Tignes, most of which are blue and red, a snow park with a half-pipe, a mogul slope and an excellent ski school. Here you can also go cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowkite, ice climbing, paragliding or helicopter flying.
Cozy cafes and restaurants, noisy discos and bars will not let you get bored after skiing. The infrastructure of the resort is famous for its compact and convenient location, and the prices for accommodation here are quite budgetary.
Les Arcs is a group of resorts located in the heart of the French Alps, in the Ote Tarentaise valley. Resort towns are located here at altitudes from 1600 to 2000 meters above sea level and are united by ski slopes and ski lifts. The skiing season is from mid-December to the end of April. Fans of mountain winter sports in Les Arcs are waiting for 121 slopes for skiing and snowboarding, a wide variety of lifts, two snow parks with halfpipes. There are also opportunities to practice unusual sports, such as speedwriting and skijoring.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a popular ski resort in the Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. The first tourists appeared in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the beginning of the 19th century, and since then the resort has only been gaining popularity. In 1924, it was here that the 1st Winter Olympic Games were held. Today Chamonix-Mont-Blanc receives up to 5 million tourists and sportsmen a year.
There are several skiing regions in the Chamonix Valley: Grand Monte, Le Tour, Breven, Les Houches, Flegere, as well as the famous off-piste descent from the top of the Aiguille du Midi, 20 kilometers long - the White Valley. It is because of the White Valley that the resort is considered the capital of extreme skiing in France.
There is no single ski area in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, however, ski buses will take tourists to the ski lifts in 7-15 minutes. Good hotels and great bars, interesting museums and mountain Railway to Mont Blanc (at a height of 2372 m) will make your holiday in Chamonix interesting and enjoyable, even if you are not going to ski all day long.
Ski regions
The French Alps (Rhone-Alpes region and Alpes department) are the highest mountains of Western Europe, the ski resorts of France are the world's largest winter sports center: 380 ski stations, the world's largest number of lifts (3900!) And the shortest queues for them . This is the largest area for skiing and the widest selection of slopes, the highest peak in Western Europe, Mont Blanc (Mont Blanc, 4807 m), stable weather, lots of sun, guaranteed snow cover from early December to mid-May, plus the possibility of skiing in the summer. The most popular resorts in the region are Chamonix, Courchevel, Val d'Isère, Tignes, Val Thorens, Les Deux Alpes, La Plagne, Megeve, Meribel and others. 175 resorts are equipped with snow cannons. 230 sports centers offer trails for flat skiing .
In addition to the famous Alpine resorts, France has a huge range of beautiful places for skiing, scattered in abundance throughout the country's mountain systems. Most often these are small mountain villages used as local recreational areas and, by and large, are not able to compete with the Alps. But on the other hand, such small sports centers are very attractive both as summer mountain climatic and balneological resorts, and as recreation areas for lovers of flat skiing, paragliding, rock climbing and hiking. Usually located in very picturesque places near major roads, on weekends and holidays they often gather no less guests than the famous Alpine centers, but the price level here is usually much lower.
One of the most interesting and intensively developing ski recreation centers are Pyrenees.
V Central massif due to its natural and climatic features, a "clean" ski holiday is unlikely. However, for the same reason, this area is considered one of the the best places France for cross-country skiing, initial training in skiing and snowboarding, hiking and horse riding, and its amazing nature allows you to relax here at any time of the year.
Low Vosges widely known as a great place for fans of flat skiing and cross-country.
Surprisingly, even a hot Mediterranean island Corsica has a whole network of its own mountain centers. The relief of the island and the abundance of zones with their own microclimate make it possible to ski from December (more often from mid-January) to March-April.
Climate
The first snow in the French Alps falls at the end of November and lasts until mid-May. Thanks to the mild climate, even in winter in the valleys at an altitude of about 1500 m, the temperature does not fall below -10°C. The most favorable time for skiing starts from mid-February, when stable sunny weather sets in. The height of the snow cover, depending on the height of the terrain, ranges from 0.7 to 4 meters.
The average monthly air temperature at an altitude of about 1500 m (°C): in November 0..-2, in December -2..-4, in January -5..-7, in February -2..-4, in March 0..-2, in April +2..+4.
The average height of snow cover at an altitude of about 1500 m (cm): in November 6-80, in December 90-120, in January 140-200, in February 160-220, in March 160-240, in April 140-220.
Subscription
In France, you can buy a subscription for half a day, a day, two, etc. You can purchase both a general subscription for the entire skiing area, and a separate one for each valley. It is more convenient and more profitable to buy a subscription for the entire skiing area at once. Ski-pass for children under 5 years old and for adults over 72 years old is free, there are special rates for adults over 60 years old. There are also special family rates.
The Olympic ski area includes Three Valleys, Espas-Killi, Paradiski. A pass for one of the zones (6 days minimum) entitles you to one day of skiing in one of the others (during the validity of the pass).
Equipment rental
Ski and snowboard equipment rental is available in almost all sports shops. Equipment maintenance points are also located there: edge sharpening, lubrication, etc. Equipment for athletes is selected individually: depending on weight, height and level of skiing.
Ski schools
There are several levels of training - for beginners, advanced training, for professionals, etc. If you combine booking lessons in ski schools with buying a ski-pass ticket, it will turn out cheaper. Special discounts are available for families of 3-4 people. During the Christmas (Catholic) holidays, when booking a lesson for one adult - one child studies for free.
Which are located in the department of the Alps, represent a whole branched network of superbly equipped spaces for skiing. Often from one resort there is an opportunity to drive to another.
Here are the highest mountains and slopes in Europe(the top of Mont Blanc - 4807 meters) and the largest number of lifts, so there are always short queues.
These tracks have hosted professional athletes, world championships and Olympics in various winter sports disciplines. Now they can accept you too, provide a magnificent leisure , leisure and entertainment.
Skiing in the ski resorts of France in period from December to May. The resorts are known for stable and favorable weather for skiing.
Besides, in some resorts there is also the possibility of summer skiing.
Resort rating
three valleys
Let's not be afraid to be a little banal and start our review of the resorts with the brightest diamonds shining on the winter snow of the French Alps - three valleys, resorts that hosted the Olympics and are considered the best in France.
In fact, Three Valleys - a multi-level system of resorts. Here they distinguish:
- Lower level where resorts with slopes up to 1700 meters are located: La Tania, Courchevel and Meribel;
- average level, with altitudes between 1700-1850 meters, where more than high part Courchevel, Mottaret and Le Menuire;
- high level, where the height is 2300 meters and the resort of Val Thorens is located.
This is where the 1992 Olympics were hosted.. The resort in the heart of the Three Valleys is very popular. There is a refined and unique atmosphere, magnificent slopes and nature.
Accessible by bus who go by transfers or by car along the tracks. Nearest bus stations:
- railway stop Moûtiers fifty minutes by bus;
- Chambéry an hour away (about 70 kilometers);
- the city of Lyon 200 kilometers away;
- Geneva is 120 kilometers away.
The resort consists of two zones:
- meribel center– classic French style;
- Méribel-Mottarey- More modern architecture.
From entertainment it should be noted major center of La Chaudanne with a variety of pools, spas and the like. For only a hundred euros, you have the opportunity to fly over the Courchevel valley on a paraglider.
In addition, there is the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon and dog sledding.
In the ski area, the elevation difference is 1450-2952 meters, there are trails of different levels, the longest is five kilometers. Snowboard half pipes, 60 lifts.
Courchevel
Perhaps many have heard the name of this resort, which known not for the height of the slopes, but for its prestige. The skiing here is of high quality, but the heights are not the highest and the tracks are not the most outstanding.
People come here for a high degree of comfort and excellent service.
Hotels, restaurants, a variety of entertainment - the resort is the leader in these parameters. Many people come here not to ride, but to hang out.
Can be reached from Geneva(a little over a hundred kilometers) or the city of Lyon, which is about two hundred kilometers away.
Despite the fashionable orientation, the resort makes it possible not only to drive along the gentle and smooth green and blue slopes, but also to take advantage of high peaks Solier and Wisell.
Wherein there are excellent conditions for training beginners in particular at Courchevel 1650.
Called the roof of the three valleys, has the highest point of the Cime de Caron resort. From this peak it is possible to enjoy the magnificent panorama of Mont Blanc. Thanks to the network of lifts, it is possible to bypass the Three Valleys from here completely.
The resort is distinguished by high-rise buildings and the absence of chalets, familiar to Alpine resorts. During the skiing period, the slopes are always snowy, as they are not only at an altitude of more than two kilometers, but are also provided with snow cannons.
Get there closest, as for previous resorts from Geneva, Lyon or Chambéry.
Given the connection with the rest of the resorts of the Three Valleys, we will not describe the entertainment. Let's finish the brief review 3 Valleys hotels:
- Des neiges;
- Oxalys;
- Annapurna;
- La Sivoliere;
- Le Sabot de Venus;
- Merily's Residence;
- Alpen Ruitor Mottaret;
- Le Kilimandjaro;
- Le Mottaret;
- Les Balcons de Val Thorens;
- Agence de la Saulire.
Tignes
The resort on the slopes of which every November the stages of the World Cup in downhill skiing are held. Skiing is possible throughout the whole year, as the height of the peaks reaches about 3700 meters.
Located three and a half hours from Geneva. Includes many restaurants, bars, cinemas and other entertainment venues, many winter activities, paragliding and hang gliding.
In terms of entertainment, the resort is fully equipped. In terms of trails, it gives an opportunity to have an interesting rest not only for beginners, but also for experienced skiers. Hotels:
- Hotel Village Montana;
- Hotel le Refuge;
- Hotel Les Campanules;
- Club Med Tignes Val Claret.
Chamonix, France, somewhere at the foot of Mont Blanc
The resort is located in the valley of the same name. has great natural beauty and amazing landscape. Included in the world heritage of landscapes.
Known for White Valley- the highest (3842) ski point with twenty kilometers of off-piste skiing. Activities include: paragliding, canyoning, rock climbing, winter rafting, mountain biking, ice climbing.
Get there closest from Geneva, which is just under 90 kilometers away. Vacationers can stay in hotels:
- Hotel Le Faucigny;
- Hotel l'Heliopic;
- Le Morgan;
- Hotel Mont-Blanc;
- Grand Hotel des Alpes.
Avoriaz
The original resort in the north, which is distinguished by its magnificent Art Nouveau architecture, the absence of cars, magnificent apartments with access to the slope, a cozy atmosphere, horse-drawn carriages that drive through the streets.
Get there the resort is possible from Geneva (80 kilometers) or from Thonon Les Bains station. The entertainment includes a full resort package:
- from discos and hot tubs to saunas and gyms;
- there is an opportunity to ride a snow car;
- dog sledding;
- snowboard trails;
- There are cinemas and more.
The height of the resort is 1800 meters, slope differences: from 1100 to 2277 meters. There are trails for cross-country skiing. Hotels:
- Hotel des Dromonts;
- Club Med Avoriaz;
- Pierre & Vacances Residence Saskia Falaise;
- PV-Holidays Residence Maeva Multivacances;
- Residence Sirius.
Skiing in the French Alps- elite and prestigious entertainment. Many resorts here are imbued with the history of modern sports, no less have sophistication and their own original style in everything.
Ski resorts France: all about ski holidays in France, as well as reviews of tourists and experts.
- Tours for May To France
- Hot tours To France
Ski resorts in France are considered among the best winter resorts in the world. It is here, in the French Alps, that there are extensive and interconnected ski areas: more than four thousand tracks for skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding and other winter activities. The trails vary in difficulty level, allowing both beginners and real aces to have a comfortable time. Often on the slopes of the Alps, competitions in winter sports of various classes are held - up to championships and the Olympics.
The French Alps have hosted the Olympic Games three times. Moreover, the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924 took place right here in Chamonix, in 1968 they took place in Grenoble, and in 1992 - in Aberville, near which many excellent tracks have been preserved.
In total, more than two hundred ski resorts have been created on the slopes of the French Alps. Many of them are interconnected, so visiting one, you can easily move to another. So every ski lover will be able to find a suitable option here and get real pleasure from downhill or flat skiing.
Chamonix
Chamonix is the heart of the largest ski area in the French Alps at the top of the famous Mont Blanc. The Chamonix Valley is a unique natural area near the borders of Italy and Switzerland, included in the list of landscapes that make up the world heritage. The total length of the ski slopes is hundreds of kilometers on slopes of varying difficulty. The most high point resort - the legendary "White Valley", 20 km of off-piste skiing at an altitude of 3842 m. Ice mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoning, winter rafting and paragliding are also developed here - that is, a large selection of extreme sports for every taste. During the summer months, Chamonix is a popular holiday destination for climbers, mountain bikers (including off-road freeride).
Espace Killy
Espace Killy is an area of the French Alps, named after the three-time world champion in skiing Jean-Claude Killy, and is considered one of the best winter resorts not only in the Alps, but throughout the world. The region includes the famous resorts of Val d'Isère and Tignes, and four less popular places for skiing, which, meanwhile, are ultra-modern slopes with excellent infrastructure not only for amateurs, but also for mountain slopes professionals. The special charm of the region is that that it is possible to ski on the glaciers not only in winter, but also in summer.For young skiers there is a free ski pass and many ski schools, and for snowboarders the famous corridors of Les Danaides, Le Lasvancher, La Table and Kern are equipped. with the surroundings, here you can choose a helicopter ride, dog sledding, snowshoeing or snowshoeing.
Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallees)
Three Valleys (or Le Trois-Vallee), the Savoyard ski area is the world's largest unified ski region with 600 km of slopes at altitudes of 1300-3230 m. snowboard. The history of the resort has half a century, and in 1992 these slopes were conquered by Olympic champions.
The structure of the Three Valleys includes the high-altitude Val Thorens (Val Thorens) - the "Roof of the Three Valleys" at an altitude of 2300 m, the sports part of the resort area. Its peak is the picturesque peak of Cime de Caron, from where a magnificent view of Mont Blanc opens up.
The second resort - Meribel (Meribel) - "The Heart of the Three Valleys", is located at an altitude of 1400 m and is divided into the zones Meribel Center in the traditional French style and the more modern Meribel-Mottareu, both zones offer excellent slopes and cross-country trails, as well as all kinds of entertainment such as hockey fields and skating rinks, sled racing, etc.
And, finally, chic Courchevel is one of the most prestigious resorts in the French Alps, a leader in terms of hotels, quality of service and various entertainments among the world's ski centers. However, spreading at altitudes from 1300 to 1850 m, Courchevel is not only social life and famous parties: a ski lover can stay here for a whole month and never ride the same track, conquering new heights and descents every day. In addition to traditional tracks, there are two Olympic ski jumping tracks, several slalom and downhill tracks, cross-country skiing trails, open-air ice arenas, etc.
Alpe D'Huez
Alpe d'Huez is a first-class ski resort in the southern Alps, one of the sunniest in the world: the sun shines here up to 300 days a year! The French themselves call it the "Island of the Sun" - the slopes are located on the upper plateau and are mostly facing south , which allows you to ski in the sun until late in the evening.This is the fifth largest ski area in France, where you can find the most famous slopes in Europe: the 16-kilometer Sarin slope and the Tunnel run through the glacier.
The Alpe d'Huez Tunnel is a famous filming location for one of the James Bond films.
In addition, this resort is a good solution for beginners in skiing, children, as well as those who prefer other types of winter recreation: tens of kilometers of flat tracks, an excellent ice stadium.
Megeve
Megève is an excellent ski resort that includes three ski areas: Rochebrune-Cote, Mont-d'Arbois and Le Jaye, as well as an open-air museum. The center of the town is paved with old cobblestones, freed from vehicles, and some houses here are at least 200 years old. The main attractions are the church of the 13th century, the medieval monastery and the city tower. Skiing areas are located at 1113-2350 m, and there are many slopes for both beginners and the youngest skiers, as well as for real extreme sports - for example, the JOLY slopes and the descent of the World Cup “la Gote 2000”, which excites the imagination.
Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes is a world-class resort located at the foot of the largest glacier in Europe and inviting ski lovers to ski all year round. These are 104 ski slopes at an altitude of 3600 m, suitable for both traditional slopes and snowboarding, freestyle, freeride and others. There are many schools here, including for those who have never skied and snowboarded in their lives - by the end of training, the newly-made athlete will be able to not only ride decently, but also get real pleasure from the descent.
Paradiski
Paradiski is the youngest alpine area for skiing, which means "ski paradise" in translation. This is the name of the unified skiing region, which includes the resorts of La Plagne, Peisey-Valandry, Les Coches and Les Arcs. These are glacial snows that do not melt all year round, allowing you to learn the basics of skiing whenever you want. Regardless of seasonality.
The Portes du Soleil
Portes du Soleil is also known as a resort called "Gate of the Sun" - always sunny slopes for both pros and beginners. Many schools, 650 km of prepared slopes of various difficulty levels in four ski areas: Les Gets, Morzine, Avoria and Châtel.
Every year, the French slopes attract many tourists and ski lovers. All the necessary conditions have been created for them, lifts have been installed, excellent tracks have been equipped and all the necessary industry has been built. In addition, it is not only sports achievements and snow-sparkling slopes all day long: here you can walk through the charming alpine villages, visit cozy restaurants, enjoy the unique French cuisine, and find entertainment for any age, taste and budget.