- Skiing in France
The long-preferred place for British skiers to explore the peaks, France offers easy access, vast linked resorts, and plenty of chalet and apartment accommodations. If you’re looking for a European ski destination, look no further than France!
Published November 27, 2023
8 min read
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK)
By far the favorite European ski destination, France consistently welcomes around a third of British skiers who are drawn by the convenience of a winter sports break in our near-neighbour country. Along with offering good no-fly travel options, skiers have a huge choice of wide-open slopes, lifts zigzagging across dramatic mountains and modern accommodation.
France is also home to the world’s largest ski area, Les Trois Vallees. Encompassing a magnificent 370 miles of runs, Les Trois Vallees stretches across seven resorts, including lofty Val Thorens (at 2,300m), stylish Courchevel, and Meribel with its wealth of catered chalets — traditionally the favored accommodation for British skiers.
Other splendid, linked areas include Paradiski, where 140 miles of runs unite the purpose-built, slope-side resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs. The latter’s modernistic architecture is actually mostly from the 1960s; however, the last major Les Arcs development, Arc 1950, has its 20th birthday this season and is celebrating with weekly resort parties.
And there are border-hopping options, too. Les Portes du Soleil reaches from Les Gets down to the valley town of Morzine and back up to angular, arty Avoriaz, before heading into Switzerland and the resorts of Les Crosets, Champoussin, and more — 400 miles in total. Similarly, the 250-mile Milky Way area starts in Montgenevre, then enters Italy, taking in resorts including Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere.
Cost and crowds can be an issue in France. Lift passes and eating out are notoriously pricey in many resorts and in peak season (notably February school holidays), France’s slopes can get very busy. A good trick to avoid the crush and prices of the biggest resorts is to stick to satellite villages, which can offer great value for money. For example, down the mountain from Tignes, long seen as the moderately priced option to trendy Val-d’Isère, are even more reasonable Tignes 1800 and, a decade old, Les Brévières. The center of Courchevel 1850 is forever hip but drop down to La Praz and La Tania and while the altitude may not be as high, nor are the prices.
Catered chalet holidays are still all the rage with British skiers, but apartments have managed to build on the popularity they garnered during Covid. And some of them come with decidedly hotel-like trimmings. Val-d’Isère’s new luxury property, Silverstone Lodge, for example, sits above the Solaise lift with seven chalet-like apartments including a seven-bedroom penthouse sharing a spa. Also new, Residence Manaka in La Plagne is a stylish complex with an indoor pool, while Snoroc offers contemporary ski in, ski out apartments with a pool, areas for teens and youngsters, a steam room, and hot tub.
