A sport once reserved for intrepid mountaineers, skiing has become a mainstream activity for all family members, with key resorts around the globe vying with each other to keep up with the demand.
The best-known ski resorts in France have hotels, restaurants, and apres-ski activities and provide all manner of entertainment, both indoor and outdoor, for every guest to enjoy.
A lot has been considered when choosing these top ski resorts in France apart from just the ski experience. Variety and challenge of terrain, powder conditions, lift access, and the accommodation on offer have been considered when selecting a resort with the best overall appeal for skiers.
Morzine (best for eco enthusiasts)
You won’t find many skiers who don’t have ambitions to ski Morzine in style. There are seven resorts in France and five in Switzerland, which together make up the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, and the best part is that almost all of them are interconnected by pistes and lifts for an easier cross-border skiing experience on the same day.
Morzine is located at an altitude of 1000m and is just an hour’s drive from Geneva International Airport so it’s easy to get to. Since its establishment, it has retained its vintage style and become a charming place to holiday.
For further convenience, one region-wide ski pass covers all the dozen resorts with as many as 197 lifts spread over 660km. The famous Belvedere chair lift has recently been replaced by a newer six-person detachable version that can carry 2800 skiers per hour.
Morzine lies between Les Gets and Avoriaz and is interconnected with both of them. Of 80 ski runs, 52 are red intermediates, while nine are set aside for beginners and experts, making it a mecca for recreational skiing.
Where to stay in Morzine
Morzine has a classy look about it which is evident in its purpose-built hotels and chalets. Plenty of budget accommodation is available in Morzine, including some good quality hotels and chalets.
Some ultra-luxury options are Hotel L’Hermione Blanche, Chalet Austin, Chalet Nyon, Chalet Philbert, and Chalet Delphine.
La Rosiere (great for families)
La Rosiere is a family friendly ski resort that is great for anyone looking for an authentic ski break. With south-facing slopes, the resort enjoys plenty of sunshine and has both easy ski runs and more challenging ones.
It’s great for families as you can choose the level you’d like to ski at and it offers opportunities to try other snow sports including heli-skiing for the thrill-seekers or snowshoeing if you want to take it easy.
The resort is home to a traditional village with a range of accommodation options plus spas, a cinema, bowling, and plenty of pubs and restaurants.
Meribel (for skiing over a lot of ground)
Meribel has become the eternal favourite, especially of European skiers who flock here in large numbers, year after year. The biggest attraction of this much-loved family-friendly resort is the sheer skiing area it shares with Courchevel and several others and the snow coverage, which lasts throughout the season and beyond.
Since Meribel is a part of the world-famous Three Valleys skiing area with over 600 km of sun-kissed pistes, beginners enjoy honing their skills on the Altiport powder while the pros head straight for the off-pistes and the hair-raising drops the resort is famous for.
Meribel is also very suitable for children as it has two different areas for learners, both with free ski lifts. One is located in the Mottaret area, and the other lies in the Altiport area.
Children between ages 7-12 will love skiing on Moon Wild with its hidden animals in the woods.
After the introduction of the rapid Bouquetin chairlift, which has replaced the gondolas of Plattieres, the travel time by lift is just two and a half minutes. The highest ski point in Meribel is at an altitude of 2952m on Mont Vallon, which offers an exhilarating descent of 1000m.
This height not only gets the adrenaline pumping but also provides spectacular Alpine views.
Where to stay in Meribel
The majority of the accommodation in Meribel is on the upscale side. The village of Meribel is one of the prettiest in France, with most chalets built with locally sourced materials.
If a luxury ski chalet is on your mind, you can ski almost out of the doors of Chalet Cretet, Chalet Jolie, Chalet Victoria, or Chalet Camelia.
La Plagne (for beginners and intermediates)
Located in the Tarentaise Valley, La Plagne comprises the Paradiski area, the third largest linked ski domain in France with over 425km of runs. La Plagne is a firm favourite with families as its slopes are perfect for learners and intermediate ski enthusiasts with their wide slopes, gentle descents, and plenty of ski-in and ski-out options.
This is a great option if you’re looking for your first skiing holiday in France.
While the slopes at the upper end are gentle as they lie on a plateau, they tend to become a bit steeper on both sides as they pass through the forest. The newly launched Funiplagne base station has been totally overhauled, and a new chairlift has been introduced between La Plagne and Lovatiere, which links the La Plagne Centre with Champagne en Vanoise.
The two terrain parks in La Plagne are designed for different experiences. While Le Petit Park is for beginners, Le Grand Park, located on top of Belle Plagne, has some advanced features.
Where to stay in La Plagne
From the perspective of the purist skier and snowboarder, some of the best places to stay in La Plagne are Chalet Elegant, Chalet Charmant, Chalet Joly, and Chalet Toubkal. Apart from this, there is a wide range of accommodation, from low-budget to several luxury chalet hotels and apartment options.
Tignes (best for intermediates and off-piste)
Ski holidays in Tignes are a big draw for families, especially because of the accessible skiing facilities and availability of self-catered accommodation. Even though the high terrain between 3100 m and 3400 m makes skiing tough when there is cloud cover, off-piste and intermediate skiers love Tignes.
The Tignes ski area principally comprises four villages, all located at different altitudes from valley to high mountain, and of various sizes. However, all four have direct lift and piste access to and from the ski resort.
The crowning Grand Motte Glacier and the pretty U-shaped valley have made Tignes a beautiful natural skiing area, with the high-altitude snow being the most reliable anywhere in France. A wide selection of blue, black, and red runs will lead skiers through some fine valleys and woodlands.
Elsewhere, while the lower down greens are perfect for beginners, there are Olympic-worthy downhills for advanced skiers. Off-slope activities include ice skating, spa treatments, and dining in world-class restaurants before hitting the sack after a drink or two.
Where to stay in Tignes
There is more than one town in the area, and they all offer a great selection of accommodation. Most of the hotels and chalets here are ski-in and ski-out, while the style provided in Tignes ranges from budget ski apartments to five-star luxury.
Ski D’or, Chalet Marilyn, Chalet Ramo, and Chalet Valerie are good options.
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