The French Alps are the world’s leading winter sports and skiing destination. With more than 8,000km of slopes and nearly 2,400 ski lifts, our mountains offer a huge choice of wonderful experiences and landscapes.
Whether you’re a beginner or have more experience, are looking for a large international resort or a more traditional ski station in an authentic village, a family holiday or a sports holiday, cross-country or Nordic skiing – there’s something for everyone and every ability.
There are plenty of resorts to choose from when you’re planning your winter holiday in the Alps. We’ve made things a bit easier for you with this selection of the best ski resorts in the Northern French Alps. Whatever you are looking for, there are some great ideas here!
The best ski resorts for a family holiday
Combloux
Combloux is the family ski resort par excellence! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, Combloux has everything you need – beginners’ area, red runs, and safe off-piste areas. With 66 runs for all levels, there’s something for everyone.
There are also two toboggan runs, a fun area with a big air bag, two boardercross areas for older children, a snow garden, a gardiski centre and a daycare centre for children aged six months and over, so you can hit the slopes with peace of mind, knowing that your children are safe and cared for.
This resort has been awarded the “Famille Plus” label, which recognises the areas that are committed to welcoming families and offering them great services and entertainment.
© OT Combloux
As well as a family-friendly ski area, you’ll find a great choice of activities and services suitable for all family members. Farm visits, ski-joering, dog-sledding – there’s no time to be bored!
Praz-de-Lys
Praz-de-Lys is another great ski resort in the Northern Alps for a family holiday.
With 23 ski lifts, 55km of slopes, beginners’ areas, a snowpark and three boardercross areas, nobody is left out! And the price of its ski passes can’t be beaten – 32€ for adults and 25€ for children!
And if downhill skiing isn’t enough for you, you could also try the many groomed, marked and accessible trails available for biathlon, ski-touring, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
And to cap it all, you can do all of this with Mont Blanc in the background!
La Clusaz
La Clusaz has held the Famille Plus label for more than 10 years now, so it’s a perfect resort for a family ski holiday.
With 85 slopes (30 red, 31 blue and 16 green) there is plenty of challenge for everyone. Even the youngest skier will be able to learn safely on the green slopes, while the older ones will be happy hurtling down the reds.
There are also several fun zones, including a snowpark, a Family Run (a beginners’ area where you can try freestyle), toboggan runs and a Reblochon-themed run!
You can also enjoy the many events and activities that are organised for families outside the ski sessions. Take a dip at the aquatic centre, go ice-skating or try ski-joering – the possibilities are endless.
For an active holiday …
Chamonix
Chamonix is the ultimate Alpine ski resort for those looking for speed and thrills.
Endless slopes, varied terrain and off-piste skiing in powder are all of the ingredients the most experienced skiers need for an excellent stay – and all can be found in Chamonix.
Sheltering at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix has about 100 pistes spread over 119km, at altitudes of between 1,040 and 3,275m. There are 18 green runs, 43 blue and 15 black, one of which is almost 19km long.
It’s easy to see why Chamonix is known as the world capital of skiing and mountaineering.
Avoriaz
The ski resort of Avoriaz is in the heart of the Portes du Soleil – one of the largest ski areas in the world. The area has 12 resorts linked by almost 600km of pistes and is an ideal playground for those who love extreme skiing.
As well as the runs in Avoriaz, you can also ski in Châtel and Morzine. You’ll never have to take the same route twice!
Avoriaz is also well-known for its freestyle areas and snowparks, with facilities for all abilities. It also offers several marked and ungroomed trails, perfect for powder days.
Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère is another great ski resort for the most experienced riders. With a ski area that is unrivalled for variety and difficulty, thanks to its link with the resort of Tignes, Val d’Isère attracts skiers from all over the world.
And for good reason – this famous ski resort has more than 10,000 hectares of off-piste skiing, one of the largest areas in the world. Its black runs are also very popular with thrill-seekers, in particular La Face de Bellevarde.
There’s plenty here to delight serious skiers who plan to spend all their time on the slopes.
For a holiday with friends…
Val Thorens
Val Thorens is an ideal choice for a mountain holiday with friends. Sitting at the heart of three mountain chains, it is the highest resort in Europe (2,300m) and is part of the 3 Valleys area – the largest ski area in the world.
During the day, you’ll find downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and many other winter sports on the 600km of slopes.
At the end of the day head for the Folie Douce, before moving on to one of the many bars or clubs in the resort for the rest of the night. Get ready – the rhythm’s gonna get you!
Avoriaz
There are many sides to the ski resort of Avoriaz. It’s the perfect playground for keen skiers, but it’s also the ideal destination for a holiday with friends.
As well as an incredible ski area, Avoriaz also offers a cocktail of activities and events for you and your friends – water parks, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and both the Rock the Pistes and Snowboxx music festivals, not forgetting the famous Folie Douce!
Your holiday is going to get lively!
Find your perfect chalet in the Portes du Soleil
Tignes
Tignes is a great choice if you’re looking for a holiday that is both sporty and lively.
This famous resort boasts 300km of slopes that are accessible both for beginners and more experienced skiers. Wide slopes with soft curves, a snowpark, boardercross, beginners’ area and freeride zones… Tignes is the ideal resort for a group of friends who don’t all ski at the same level.
Its ski area is unique in that it is possible to ski almost all year round. That might sound impossible, but some of its pistes are on glaciers, at an altitude of 3,450m, so even in summer, you can snap on your skis and enjoy the slopes.
And when it comes to entertainment and festivities, Tignes is not to be outdone. Restaurants, bars, cinema, bowling and nightclubs will make sure you are never bored.
You know where to go for your next holiday with friends!
For a winter holiday without skiing?
Megève
Mountain sports are not limited to downhill skiing. Cross-country skiing, skating, Nordic skiing and biathlon are just some of the other ways to get out in the snow and enjoy nature.
Once you get away from the crowded resorts, you can enjoy your chosen activity at your own pace, surrounded by the majestic mountains and spectacular scenery.
The resort of Megève is proof of this. With 40km of groomed and marked trails, it’s paradise for those who like to enjoy their winter sports at a slower pace.
Le Grand Bornand
Le Grand Bornand, in the heart of the Aravis mountains, is one of the best destinations for cross-country skiing.
The village is the starting point for 70km of trails (suitable for all levels) which will take you through snow fields, mountain pastures and forests.
Youngsters can have a go at cross-country skiing in one of the resort’s three play areas before they head out on the trails.
Le Grand Bornand has hosted several biathlon world cups and has two areas where you can have a go at this sport.
La Clusaz
The resort of La Clusaz is also one of the largest Nordic ski areas in Haute Savoie.
The popular Confins area has no less than 63km of trails, which meander across snowy plains and woodland. The nearby Beauregard plateau has another 36km of runs, with wonderful views over the village and the Aravis mountains, with Mont Blanc beyond them.
There is also a children’s area, where they can try out these activities before they head out on the trails, as well a a Nordic ski club and a Nordic ski park equipped with moguls, slaloms and tunnels for training on all terrains.
La Clusaz also has its own biathlon area, where you can try out this unique sport.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of excellent ski resorts in the Alps. Whether you are spending time with family or friends, and whatever your skiing ability, you are bound to find a resort that meets your needs and expectations.
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You can also find all the opening and closing dates for the resorts (2022/23) by clicking here. And don’t forget to follow us on social media, and share your best holiday experiences with #ovonetwork!
